Esko Launches Large Digital Cutting Table
- Published: November 21, 2017
GHENT, BELGIUM | Esko, global supplier of integrated solutions for the packaging, labels, sign, and display industries, has launched the Kongsberg C66, a digital finishing table designed for short-run production of corrugated applications. Built on decades of Kongsberg table innovations integrated with Esko software solutions, the Kongsberg C66 is said to be the largest digital cutting table for heavy-duty corrugated production. Its combination of size, speed, and precision on heavy-duty rigid materials such as corrugated cartons are said to make it a flexible and effective alternative to conventional die-cutting equipment for short-run corrugated productions of packaging and POP displays. 
The Kongsberg C66 can run at 100 mpm. It can handle either manual multi-zone production of large 2.2x3.2-m (87 in. x 126 in.) sheets or single-zone production of large 2.5x4.8-m (98x189-in.) corrugated sheets. Company says this makes it ideally suited for the production of protective packaging with a maximum sheet size of 2.5 x 4.8 m, corrugated containers made from HD double-wall or triple-wall corrugated, and packaging and POP displays. The Kongsberg C66 is also capable of processing other materials required in the protective packaging environment, including foam cushioning materials.
The unit's 3,210x4,800-mm (W x L) work area supports both large-format and multi-zone production. Its Carbon Composite Traverse is said to enable high-speed, fast acceleration, high quality creasing with minimal deflection. It reportedly allows the Kongsberg C66 to run at full production speed on much larger material without losing accuracy. The larger Kongsberg tables can be set up for multi-zone production, which maximizes production efficiency by ensuring nonstop material processing. While one zone of the table is in action, an operator can set up the other zone by clearing the finished piece and loading a new sheet. While the operator works and prepares one zone, the machine works at the other zone, with automatic zone-change based on a simple operator handshake.
The i-cut Production Console (iPC) drives the table’s functionality, and includes capabilities such as camera control, machine setup, tool recognition, calibration. and tool adjustments. Designed to guide and support the operator, it incorporates a number of logical, user-friendly features including an icon-based graphical interface with color-coded alerts and updates. Combined with Device Manager it offers the ability to follow production progress from a distance. There is a wide variety of optional tool units available as well.
The first operation to install the Kongsberg C66 is the French printing and packaging specialist Cartonéo. The multi-site group serves a broad range of markets and sectors including food, automotive, cosmetics, wine and spirits, publishing, and pharmaceutical. Edmond Perrier, Cartonéo’s CEO, says, “This investment followed our decision to invest in a digital printing press, to cost effectively manufacture large-format printed packaging and displays in a variety of run lengths. The new press has enabled us to win several key contracts, which is why we also added the integrated production solution to complete the work to a high standard. With both, we are now very busy and competitive in the market for short run production of display materials.”
