Esko updated MGE i-cut vision control system

With the increasing use of digital presses for short-form packaging and point-of-sale materials, precise positioning has become an essential element of digital finishing equipment. To this end, MGE (Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering) and Esko worked closely together to develop a new i-cut 6.2 vision system, which improved the performance of Kongsberg's cutting and creasing work platforms. Series (including i-XE and i-XL).

I-cut 6.2 not only achieves better integration of the i-cut system and the Cossbau platform, but also enables direct control of important components on the Cossbo work platform, thus providing better die-cutting support and more A report module that supports distortion readings and an Adobe Illustrator plug-in for automatically optimizing i-cut placements are well supported.

The i-cut vision control system and i-script R workflow support unprinted die cutting, which can be perfectly matched to the printed image and improve the productivity and quality of the entire cutting table.

Combined with the i-cut system, the Consports i Series is an efficient packaging, signage, display rack and field display post-processing solution that handles all pre-printed materials. The Cossbo platform incorporates the MGE i-cut vision control system, and i-cut cameras are built into die cutting, creasing and grinding tools. The camera device can monitor each printed object, determine the die-cutting position with a positioning mark, and compensate for any change in direction, distortion or material expansion and contraction. For perfect die-cutting results, i-cut software automatically fine-tunes each die-cut profile. i-scriptTM software is the interface between digital printing RIP software and i-cut digital post-processing system. It can link the graphic design process with post-processing data for automatic operation. With i-scriptR, the operator does not have to reposition the cutting head for the print elements on each sheet.

There are up to 12 new features for i-cut version 6.2. Some of the more important new features that accompany the closer integration of the i-cut system and the Cossbau platform include:

1. More advanced die/grind support: i-cut software offers several new die/grinding features directly, including inside and outside cut control, curve direction, tool diameter, material thickness, and depth of cut. By changing these simple parameters, the user can create complex, multiple cut production settings without creating additional layers or editing curves. These parameters make it easy to produce sharper, smoother edges and graphics on all materials. This is important for wide-format digital presses that are connected to the Cossbo Workplace.
2. Distortion report: i-cut can compensate for non-linear distortions caused by material instability, post-processing processes, and the printing process itself. With the distortion report, the operator can estimate how much distortion will occur in each job. This new feature allows users to observe and record the distortion measured by the i-cut vision positioning system. I-cut can also save all distortions as CSV files, and CSV files can be easily embedded in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets or any similar extended application for better review and system quality control.
3, ai-cutTM Adobe Illustrator plug-in: MGS's Adobe Illustrator plug-in is designed to help designers prepare i-cut workflow files faster and easier. It allows the user to automatically insert markers at the best position for the highest accuracy. It also provides a quick manual insertion tool. The user can select the marker type, size and color through a simple user interface. In addition, the plug-in can also generate predefined i-cut layers for cutting file output and perform pre-production inspections. The ai-cut plug-in is completely free, and users can download it from the MGE website.

Other features of i-cut include a new toolbar that allows the user to immediately access the following functions when running i-cut: report paper status, allow autoloading on the platform, and preload paper, and Longer feed support than the Constable platform; drillability, which makes it easier to remove waste parts of various types of label artwork; check tool setting preview of function settings before processing expensive materials; light touch pressure control.

Tom Naess, product manager for Consports, commented: “This time improvements to i-cut and Esko Combs work platforms not only improve system performance, but also provide a single user interface. MGE and Consports Development Team Working in close cooperation to provide a highly efficient and compact production system and the best workflow is the internal driving force for the development of these new functions. The result of the cooperation is a complete, highly integrated and easy-to-use system."

Reproduced from: First Packaging