Mimaki launches the CFL-605RT Compact Flatbed Cutting Plotter
M
imaki has launched the CFL-605RT Com-
pact Flatbed Cutting Plotter that offers
both creasing and cutting and will enable
operations to create and deliver high quality, cost-
effective, designs, smoothly and quickly. The CFL-
605RT is designed with Mimaki’s well-established
technology to support immediate finishing of pack-
aging and prototypes with multiple functions.
‘There is growing demand for on-demand pro-
duction of prototypes and small lots, both for prod-
ucts and their packaging,’ explained Mike Horsten,
general manager Marketing EMEA at Mimaki Eu-
rope. ‘This includes fast, efficient prototyping and
production of samples as well as small lots of
products and packaging that may be modified to re-
flect different seasonal and regional requirements.
There are promotional and special event opportu-
nities, too. In particular, we believe markets such
as cosmetics and luxury items will benefit from the
ability to produce highly responsive eye-catching
packaging with short lead times. Our solutions are
specifically designed to meet that need, and we are
excited to witness the impact we believe they will
have on the market as brand owners and converters
alike learn about their many benefits.’
The newest addition to Mimaki’s family of cut-
ting plotters, the CFL-605RT, is a multifunction
flatbed plotter that accommodates material sizes
up to A2 extra and features a variety of functions
including creasing and eccentric, tangential and re-
ciprocating cutting. Used in combination with the
UJF-6042, the new compact flatbed cutting plotter
can achieve on-demand production of the original
goods by providing the whole production process,
including printing onto goods and packages, and
cutting of cushioning materials.
• The eccentric cutter has a maximum cutting thick-
ness of 1mm with an optimal downforce setting be-
tween 30 and 1000g.
• The tangential cutter features a maximum cutting
thickness of 2mm with high downforce pressure,
including materials such as reflective vinyl and rub-
ber sheets.
• The reciprocating cutter has a maximum 10 mm
cutting thickness for materials such as foam or
cardboard and uses a vertical reciprocating motion.
• The creasing roller creases materials for a perfect
package. Downforce pressures are adjustable from
500 to 1000g.
Horsten added, ‘We are also developing a com-
plete end-to-end solution that will not only reduce
the time required for prototyping and small lot
production, but will also significantly reduce costs
and enable a faster time to market. In many cases,
these functions can be performed in-house, elimi-
nating outsourcing and further reducing cycle time.
These latest portfolio additions are an outstanding
example of our mantra of “Let’s Create… Togeth-
er!” coming to life.’
For more information about other printing and
cutting products from Mimaki, visit
ieurope.com.
M
any print providers like to work in accordance
with ProcessStandard Offset (ISO 12647-2) and
some are even certified. However, the cost sav-
ings generated often fail to meet expectations as the
printing processwith its various print parameters requires
manual intervention during set-up and production. KBA
offers a raft of automation solutions for its Rapidas, in-
cluding modules for fast inking-up and stable solid den-
sities during production. PSO-Match is a solution which
efficiently supports compliance with ProcessStandard
Offset (PSO).
PSO defines the CMYK solid L*a*b* values in the
printing process for various types of paper as well as dot
gain in the mid-tones and its spread. In case all of the pa-
rameters cannot be maintained within the tolerances dot
gain should be given a higher priority. Even the best print-
ers are not able to check all of the parameters in each sin-
gle ink zone and control the application of ink accordingly.
Nevertheless, printing within the solid density tolerance
and also in linewith solid L*a*b* values does not mean a
match with PSO. Conventional solid control systems only
take into account one parameter and therefore only one
comprehensive solution can guarantee permanent con-
formity with PSO.
This is where PSO-Match’s strengths lie. This product
was launched in 2012 and has since been successfully
implemented in a host of printing companies, including
the newRapida 106 at Cinram in Alsdorf, Germany.
Measuring at the control strips is done either inline
via KBAQualiTronic ColorControl –with previous external
spectrophotometric calibration – or online with KBA Er-
goTronic ColorControl. In a matter of seconds PSO-Match
instantly analyses all parameters in each ink zone in ac-
cordance with the PSO standard selected and calculates
colour corrections in every ink zone. The optimumbalance
is made between dot gain, spread, solid L*a*b* values
and the corresponding density. This set point is then ad-
justed automatically within a specific tolerance range by
the ‘best match’ function. Colour correction is executed
automatically (closed loop) with QualiTronic or simply by
pressing a button with ErgoTronic ColorControl and Ergo-
Tronic ColorDrive.
PSO-Match displays the colour corrections calculated
as well as the measuring values clearly on the monitor. In
addition, the press operator is continuously provided with
information on how the current print result compares to
PSO. Eight out of a total of ten PSOparameters have to be
within set limits in order for PSO-Match to verify conform-
ity with PSO tolerances for every measurement.
PSO-Match is the ideal solution for printing firms to
match PSO’s quality standard and for those wishing to re-
duce makeready and waste. The press operator selects a
particular PSOstandard provided for different paper quali-
ties. An optimal product is achieved after some measure-
ments and corrections using onlinemeasuring equipment
(ErgoTronic-ColorControl), which measures outside the
press on the main console. After a fast referencing pro-
cedure inline control quickly leads to compliance with
the selected standard and maintains it throughout an
entire job using inline measuring equipment (QualiTronic-
ColorControl).
Accurate jobs printed without manual corrections in
a reproducible quality lead to optimised colour presetting
for future jobs. PSO-Match thus offers a good starting
point for cutting waste during job set-up. This even takes
place without any interruptions when used in connection
with KBA QualiTronic ColorControl. A higher level of au-
tomation and excellent control strategies prevent press
downtimes and manual intervention during production.
On average this results in a higher press speed and re-
duced personnel costs.
Depending on job size the time saved during set-up
and production is three to tenminutes per job. Complaints
are prevented, communication between pre-press and
printingisimproved,andproductionreliabilityisincreased
bythepermanentuseofthePSO-Matchtool.Thisisinad-
dition to potential paper and personnel savings.
The required quality is predictable and reproducible.
Resulting experiences from PSO-Match regarding the
use of consumables, paper and press settings which af-
fect the final product lead to further savings. PSO-Match
is an important tool in making the printing process more
efficient and predictable.
Print efficiently in accordance with ISO 12647-2 in the pressroom
In connectionwith KBAQualiTronic ColorControl inline colour control or onlinewith KBA ErgoTronic
ColorControl, the PSO-Match software tool supports printers to reliably complywith ProcessStandard
Offset (PSO) directly at the console: Shown here in action on a newRapida 106 at Cinram in Alsdorf near
Aachen, Germany
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