Gent (Belgium), June 20, 2002 - Esko-Graphics, the market leader in computer-to-plate and packaging solutions, announced in May the introduction of the Kongsberg DCM22 for digital converting. Based on the successful Kongsberg XL series of cutting and creasing tables for packaging applications, the new Kongsberg DCM22 can automatically load board and cut files directly from CAM software, without the need of a cutting die. With greater demands to get products to market quickly, packagers can use the Kongsberg DCM22 to help meet deadlines for short runs for market testing or for low-volume point-of-purchase displays. "The Kongsberg DCM22 is ideal for cutting and creasing in close register pre-printed sheets from different sources, such as silk-screen prints, digital prints and flexo prints," says Tom Naess, Esko-Graphics Product Manager for Samplemaking and SRP. "By eliminating the costs and time associated with cutting dies, and going directly to production once the CAD design is ready, short run orders of up to 300 pieces can be really profitable. Furthermore, the Kongsberg DCM22 requires minimal operator intervention and allows for very short start-up and change-over times, which increases productivity and efficiency," Tom Naess continues. The DCM22 offers automated sheet cycling, featuring a load frame that instantly and simultaneously loads a fresh sheet and moves away the completed sheet. The DCM22 is equipped with several other new features for efficiency and productivity, such as an automatic knife tip sensor to assure the knife blade is intact, vacuum sensors, traffic light for visibility of machine and job status, and simple, intuitive user interface. Extensive safety features comply with international regulations. "The Kongsberg DCM22 is based on the highly successful XL tables, which have further cemented Kongsberg's market leadership in supplying CAM tables to the packaging world. Innovations in software and hardware technology have led to a more efficient and productive product, offering faster speed, greater power and flexibility to automatically handle a variety of demanding tasks. The ability to cut and crease from digital files offers new opportunities for a wide variety of market applications," concludes Tom Naess.