Nippon Color shares insight on new Flexo CTP models launched by Cron
Cron is the largest CTP manufacturer in Asia, or possibly the world, with a formidable portfolio of products which span the entire digital prepress spectrum including UV, thermal, large format offset CTP machines as well as Flexo CTP machines.
With more than 20 patents in its portfolio, CRON is an international leader in developing technologies for the graphic communications industry. Headquartered in China, Cron has offices in Europe and North America. Nippon Color, led by Mr. Jayant Pardiwala, are the distributors of Cron in India and have installed several hundreds of Cron Offset CTP machines. Cron has now launched new competitive Flexo CTP models in the market.
With nearly 30 years of innovation and development, CRON became the first company to draft the national standard for CTP. CRON is also the only certified CTP training centre in China. As a leader in the global CTP field, CRON has the largest CTP production base in the world, with an annual capacity of more than 1000 units. To date, CRON has installed more than 8000 units across the globe and supplied products and services to almost one hundred countries and regions.
The new CRON HDI is derived from CRON’s Offset CTP technology, which is a highly mature product used widely around the world.
When was it launched and what is the target market
The HDI series was launched in 2017, with a range of models from 17×23” to 50×80” plate size, which sold well worldwide. The redesigned models of large formats were announced in September 2021 with automatic loading and unloading system.
While HDI-400/600/920 are targeted towards label printers to produce high quality plates in-house, HDI-1200/1600/2000 work well for flexo plate repro houses.
How does it work
The HDI series are external drum platesetters with a Triple Drum Dynamic Balancing System that automatically balances the counterweight against different plate thicknesses & sizes to ensure the stability of the HDI during exposure while the drum rotates at high speed. The scanning is carried out on a linear magnetic drive enabling high speed, high accuracy and maintenance-free operation. These features allow a focal length accuracy of +/- 5 microns.
On the software side, Cron provides LaBoo – HDI software available in multiple languages. The following are the salient features:
1. HD Screening comes as standard with Cron’s equipment
a) Intelligent Flexo Microcavity Technology effectively improves the ink density of flexographic dark and solid areas. Customers can customize the shape and densities of microcavities.
b) Hybrid HXM light tone Flexo FM screen can be easily applied to actual production. Perfect performance of highlights and gradual changes to zero can be achieved.
2. Fast forward skipping at blank areas
With the fast forward skipping implemented in LaBoo – HDI software for blank areas in the
1-Bit Tiff file, customers save exposure time and cost.
3. CRON 1-Bit Tiff Ganging Software will be available soon
Real time dots preview; flexible imposition. Multiple (time-sharing) exposure without unloading the plate, saves time waiting for the full plate jobs.
What’s the difference in newer models
The latest large format models can now image plates up to 6.35mm thickness and have the following features:
1. Double clamping system
No assembly tape required, this saves time during loading and unloading of the plate.
2. Automatic loading and unloading system
Convenient to operate, this avoids plate or film damage which can be caused by manual operation loading and unloading
3. Independent pressure control system with two chambers
Adapted adsorption of plates with different formats, thus keeping the vacuum pressure constant during exposure without adding a manual lamination process.
4. Different types of plates are applicable
Letterpress, digital flexo, film, to meet customers different applications.
What’s the USP
The USP is definitely the laser imaging system which virtually eliminates downtime of your CTP. Features:
1. SMFO (Single Mode Fiber Optics)
The laser imaging system uses SMFO technology allowing increased output resolution and image quality. Individual lasers can be changed or moved so that the cost of laser maintenance is greatly reduced.
2. Double cooling system
The heat generated by the laser diodes is cooled by coolant flowing through the heat exchangers, assisted by TEC controllers and fans. This prevents optical decay and oscillations during imaging due to high temperatures of electronic components and laser diodes during production. It maintains the consistency and lifetime of the laser diodes.
3. High Energy 2-Watt Diodes
Able to achieve an output of up to 1100 mj/cm2, meets the energy requirements of various flexo materials.
Another USP is that the CTP comes with multiple resolutions to meet the needs of different industries. Customers have a choice between 2000/4000/8000dpi, 2400/4800/9600dpi, and 2540/5080/10160dpi.
What support is available
Nippon Color has multiple trained engineers located in Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata covering PAN India for installation, training and after-sales service. They also carry all the recommended spare parts for prompt support to users. Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) are also offered by them at competitive prices to minimize downtime and increase the life of your equipment.
Configurations
Model Max. Plate Size
HDI-400 430 x 588mm (17 x 23”)
HDI-600 670 x 588mm (26 x 23”)
HDI-920 920 x 675mm (36 x 26”)
HDI-1200 1200 x 1270mm (39 x 50”)
HDI-1600 1524 x 1270mm (60 x 50”)
HDI-2000 2032 x 1270 mm (80 x 50”)
All models come with two options: 1) Standard speed and resolutions, and 2) Higher speed and resolutions. More information can be found on www.nipponcolor.com
Nippon Color have already installed HDI-920S at Unique Photo Offset Services, Mumbai, and HDI-1600H+ at Aadya Graphics (Vasundhara Packaging Industry), Vapi, along with complete Glunz & Jensen Processing line, and is open to customers for demo.