REGISTER TODAY: Comexi – Asahi – Esko Webinar

January 24, 2022
Asahi Flexo Plates, Asahi Pinning Technology, AWP Water Wash, CrystalCleanConnect

Register today for a combined webinar together with Comexi, Esko and Asahi to show how easy it can be to produce flexo plates in under one hour.

During the 1 hour webinar you will see a production of an AWP plate hosted in the Comexi Technical Center, following a Q&A session at the end.

Join one of two sessions offered by registering below:

REGISTER - JAN 27th – 9am (CET)
REGISTER - JAN 28th – 4pm (CET)

MORE ABOUT THIS EVENT:

Fast print ready plates within 45 minutes

Join Esko, Comexi and Asahi Photoproducts to learn more about the latest flexo platemaking and printing technologies. Within 45 minutes, we will create a print ready flexo plate while explaining you more about the key technologies used to achieve outstanding print quality and consistency. See and experience the whole platemaking process from prepress, plate imaging, LED back- and front exposure to developing the plate.

They will be joined by Asahi Photoproducts to demonstrate the whole platemaking process with AWP™ water-washed plates compatible with water, solvent and UV/EB ink curing systems.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Best in class print ready plates within 45 minutes
  • Standardized and simplified processes enable in-house platemaking
  • Unmatched quality through LED plate exposure
  • Alternative to solvent based process solutions: water-based

There will be a live Q&A session at the end of the presentation.

Can’t make it to the live session? Register and you will receive the recording.

Shanghai Hengze Printing Company Levels Up with CrystalCleanConnect for Increased Productivity, Quality, Sustainability

January 11, 2022
Asahi CleanPrint, Asahi Flexo Plates, Asahi Pinning Technology, CrystalCleanConnect
Re-post from asahi-photoproducts.com

Chinese label manufacturer is second printer worldwide to install innovative solution that reduces 12 steps to 1 in flexographic platemaking process

 

Tokyo, Japan & Brussels, Belgium, January 11, 2022. Asahi Photoproducts,  today reported that Shanghai Hengze Printing Company is in the process of installing a brand-new CrystalCleanConnect flexographic platemaking line. This Chinese label manufacturer had already adopted Asahi AWP™-DEF water-washable plates to boost quality and improve its competitive positioning. The addition of the CrystalCleanConnect line, and a switch to Asahi AWP™-DEW water-washable plates that are optimized for use with CrystalCleanConnect, will take the company’s productivity, efficiency and sustainability to the next level, positioning it even more favorably in the highly competitive Chinese market. The company was founded in 2001 as a letterpress shop producing labels for products in daily use among the Chinese population. Shanghai Hengze offers complete end-to-end services under one roof, from product design and prepress to the finished product, enabling a high level of customization and personalized service for its customers.

“Over the last two years, since we implemented the Asahi AWP™ CleanPrint water-washable plates, we have seen excellent quality improvement results,” said Mr. Li Xiaocheng, founder of Hengze. “When we learned about the added value CrystalCleanConnect could bring to our operation, we could hardly wait to get started. We are also very pleased to be an early adopter of this unique, highly productive and innovative solution.”

CrystalCleanConnect was developed as a result of a collaboration among Asahi Photoproducts, ESKO and Kongsberg. It brings together key hardware and software technologies from all organizations to deliver a highly efficient and sustainable mount-ready water-washable flexo plate for the packaging industry, bringing a new level of standardization to flexographic printing. CrystalCleanConnect offers a number of breakthrough advantages, from design to print, including:

  • A fully automated and connected process that begins with the operator loading plate material and pressing a button to initiate the process. Plates are then imaged, developed and cut in-line in a single integrated process, delivering mount-ready plates at the back end.
  • Significantly reduced total cost of ownership. By reducing steps from 12 to 1, minimizing the need for operator intervention and automating the entire workflow, not only are labor costs reduced but there is less wastage and reduced opportunity for error. Plates are also produced faster than with other methods, increasing throughput and decreasing time to market for flexo printed products.
  • Excellence in print quality consistency. Automation of a proven platemaking process delivers plates that are more consistent, ultimately making the pressroom more efficient and cost-effective.
  • A best-in-class environmental footprint that includes less waste, elimination of VOC-based washout chemicals associated with solvent-based platemaking, reduced energy use, and more.
Read original article asahi-photoproducts.com

Asahi and Esko Unveil Breakthrough Automated Flexo Platemaking Solution

April 21, 2021
Asahi CleanPrint, Asahi Flexo Plates, CrystalCleanConnect, Digital Flexo, Esko, Esko Crystal, Flexo Platemaking

CrystalCleanConnect - The Future of Flexo Plate Making

Tokyo, Japan & Brussels, Belgium, April 21, 2021 – Asahi Photoproducts and Esko have showcased their breakthrough, fully automated flexo platemaking line CrystalCleanConnect at this year’s virtual.drupa event.

Click the button below to view a pdf slideshow of the the launch of the CrystalCleanConnect at DRUPA:

VIEW THE DRUPA PRESENTATION

Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, has collaborated with Esko, the global developer of integrated software and hardware solutions for the packaging and labels markets, on the innovative flexo platemaking solution. CrystalCleanConnect fully automates the entire flexo plate production, from imaging to plate cutting, reducing the number of steps in the flexo platemaking process from 12 to just one which equates to a reduction from 36 min operator plate making time to only 2.5 min.

“With CrystalCleanConnect we have brought together key hardware and software technologies from both organizations to deliver a number of breakthrough advantages from design to print,” said Pascal Thomas, Director of Flexo Business with Esko. “CrystalCleanConnect delivers a cleaner, more environmentally balanced operation that simplifies the flexo platemaking process, improves safety and boosts print quality consistency.”

According to Pascal, CrystalCleanConnect offers operational as well as environmental benefits to businesses. “With the removal of so many process steps, there’s an immediate 90% reduction in required operator time, which not only eliminates the potential for human error but also delivers immediate efficiency gains. Quality is assured through Asahi and Esko technologies working in complete harmony, and the combination of improved efficiency and quality delivers an average increase of 25% in press OEE.”

A holistic approach to connecting technologies

Dieter Niederstadt, Technical Marketing Manager for Asahi Photoproducts stated: “Flexo needs to simplify its processes while improving quality, consistency and profitability. In doing so, flexo can create new business opportunities and positively transform into a printing technology in balance with the environment”. “This breakthrough innovation is different in many ways to other solutions on the market,” Dieter said. “It is not just an assembly of available plate making processes delivered inline, but rather a holistic approach to connecting technologies, up and downstream of the prepress value chain, using an intelligent automation hub as the backbone and heart of the solution. CCC is truly pushing boundaries to the current scope of plate automation delivering a mount-ready plate as well as being the first automated production solution without the need of VOC based washout solvents in the plate making process.”

Pascal Thomas added: “At Esko, we have long been dedicated to improving the platemaking experience, in terms of quality, productivity and connectivity. Together with Asahi Photoproducts, we are taking the flexo platemaking process to a brand-new level, enabling our customers to be even more competitive while also ensuring they can meet today’s demands for flexible and sustainable supply. With CrystalCleanConnect, our ultimate objective is to improve our customers’ overall business performance and profitability.”

Visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com/en/CCC and www.esko.com for more information.