Highcon signs commercial and technological cooperation with Esko
Highcon Systems, the new Israel-based company, which announced that its first product Euclid will be launched at Drupa 2012, has further announced a commercial and technological cooperation agreement with Esko to integrate the Esko ArtiosCAD structural design and manufacturing software with Euclid.
08 Mar 2012 | 2258 Views | By PrintWeek India
ArtiosCAD is one of the leading software for packaging professionals, with dedicated tools for structural design, product development, virtual prototyping and manufacturing. Majority of the Indian packaging printers use ArtiosCAD for key-line generation and according to Esko, it is a standard norm today in the folding carton industry.
Euclid, which Highcon claims as the world’s first cutting and creasing machine, will process ArtiosCAD designs to be digitally cut and creased. Miki Zimmer, co-founder and COO of Highcon, said, “Throughout the development of the Euclid we have focused on combining our own technology with that of best-in-class suppliers, to deliver optimised solutions to the customer. There is no doubt Esko is our first choice of workflow partner.”
Bernard Zwaenepoel, senior VP software business of Esko, said, "We are proud to be part of the game-changing revolution that Highcon is bringing to the folding carton market. As the world’s major player in packaging prepress workflow, Esko is the natural partner to also drive this digital cutting and creasing revolution together with Highcon.”
Highcon’s Direct-to-Pack solution uses entirely new technology to eliminate conventional dies and deliver high quality cut and creased sheets from digital data. The Euclid accepts digital files from standard sources, such as Esko ArtiosCAD, that contain the carton’s cutting and creasing information within two layers. The creasing layer information is used to rapidly create the Highcon DART, laying polymer rules onto a foil mounted on the creasing cylinder. Complete setup takes approximately fifteen minutes and then production begins. The second data layer controls three CO2 lasers and an innovative Highcon scanning system which cuts and perforates the cartons in high quality at production speeds prior to stacking.
With the Highcon Euclid, turnaround times are cut dramatically while run lengths up to 10,000 sheets become attractive and profitable for the converter.
Both Esko and Highcon will be exhibiting at Drupa 2012 in Dusseldorf in May. Visitors will be able to see Esko’s ArtiosCAD drive the digital cutting and creasing at the Highcon booth, B28 in Hall 4.