Exactus thermal gravure engraving technology

Gravure is widely praised by the industry for its wide range of substrates and excellent print quality. For the gravure printing market, Creo and Acigraf launched the Exactus technology. This technology is specially developed for the production of thermal gravure cylinders and can solve some common problems in the gravure engraving process. Gravure printing plants can also benefit from this.

1. The advantages of the Exactus system

The Exactus system combines the advantages of two proven technologies: Creo SQUAREspot square spot thermal imaging head and Acigraf electrolytic copper ion removal processing technology. Compared to laser engraving, this gravure prepress system not only has higher productivity, but also has all the advantages of laser engraving.

(1) The image quality is outstanding

Creo's square spot imaging technology ensures image quality. Electrolytic copper ion removal technology can form a unique cross-section of the cell, so that the ink layer distribution is more uniform, significantly reducing the "fish eye" and "missing dots" phenomenon, while the image is clearer, the color is more beautiful, in short, the laser heat The combination of sensitive imaging and electrolytic copper ion removal processing technology makes the shape of the cell site no longer subject to mechanical restrictions, and screening options are no longer limited.

(2) Stronger processing control

The Exactus system combines square spot imaging technology with electrolytic copper ion removal processing technology to provide intaglio manufacturers with more precise process control. The thermal imaging image is more accurate and clearer; the electrolytic copper ion removal processing technology can precisely control the depth of the cell site, and can ensure that the entire cylinder has a uniform cell depth. The printing company can also control the amount of ink in the printing process with unprecedented precision, and the printed products will be more accurate and reliable.

(3) Stronger production capacity

The Exactus system significantly shortens the production cycle. Laser imaging can significantly increase the productivity of the drum. If the drum is pre-coated, four rollers of 1.2m (length) × 0.7m (perimeter) can be produced per hour.

(4) Cost savings

Compared with the traditional gravure processing technology, the Exactus system can greatly save costs and can recover investment in a very short time.

In addition to the above advantages, Exactus is also conducive to environmental protection. It basically uses a water-based solution and also has a built-in recovery system that recovers the remaining copper from the electrolyte, keeps the process environment stable, and minimizes the number of replacements.

2. Exactus process

Send production files from your PC or Macintosh to Brisque's win or Prinergy Prinergy workflow. Documents are processed by Bison or Prinergy workflows. Seamless screening is also available in Exactus. Next engrave and image, this is the key and core of Exactus technology, it uses 3200dpi square spot laser imaging head, can launch 208 laser beams, can guarantee the image quality is exquisite, the maximum imaging breadth of the roll is 1.2m (perimeter) × 1.8m (long). The rollers were then sent to the next 3 workstations for flushing, copper removal and stripping.

(1) Thermal coating

The copper roller is coated with Graviti thermal resist film, which is resistant to light and can be stored for a long time.

(2) Imaging

The coated roller is sent to the imaging station and the data from the workflow system controls the imaging head through the Graviti resist film on the roller. With the Graviti resist film, Exactus can achieve excellent process control.

(3) Flushing

The imaged roller is placed in a flushing unit to dissolve the resist film in the imaged area. The rinsing fluid that is consumed can be replenished in time.

(4) Electrolytic copper ion removal

Through electrolysis, a mesh pocket will form on the drum. This step can accurately create the original depth of the network.

(5) Stripping

The remaining resist was peeled from the roller.