Esko launches new inline colour measurement system

Esko has launched an inline colour measurement system based on a new, super-fast X-Rite sensor.

The company said packaging converters will be able to benefit from “faster and more accurate inline colour inspection” using AVT SpectraLab XF, which was unveiled at the Esko Innovation Summit in Loughborough last month and is additional to Esko’s existing AVT print inspection portfolio.

With XRGA-compliance, Esko said AVT SpectraLab XF delivers the ability to measure during makeready and production, ensuring colour and quality consistency across the entire print cycle.

Esko AVT senior director of product marketing Guy Yogev said: “When it comes to brand recognition and value, colour consistency and quality are absolutely crucial.

“The uniformity of a brand’s packaging colour inspires trust and loyalty among consumers. But achieving perfectly reproduced brand colours for packages and labels requires converters to print to the numbers and monitor colour accuracy – all while manufacturing at high speeds and volumes.”

“Meeting this standard can be challenging, especially with increasing demand for shorter production runs as brands seek to grow market share with targeted campaigns, brand extensions and limited editions,” he added.

“Using handheld manual measurement falls short of this challenge – measuring only a few points per roll is insufficient, time-consuming, and requires frequent operator intervention.

“AVT SpectraLab XF has been developed to help converters meet these brand expectations, through effectively measuring and monitoring during run-time and makeready and ensuring converters print to colour target.”

Incorporating the new X-Rite spectral sensor, AVT SpectraLab XF can measure a complete vertical colour bar in a single repeat. Smaller 4-5mm patches can be supported depending on press speed and a new LED lamp with M0, M1, and M2 correlates to offline inspection standards.

“AVT SpectraLab XF is fast, accurate, and saves converters valuable time. This new solution is capable of measuring colour targets and in-image colours in a much faster run time, delivering measurements one hundred times faster than before, with higher frequency and many more measurements per roll,” said Yogev.

“The technology delivers much better targeting and accuracy, and importantly can work with very flexible materials.”

Esko said that incorporating AVT SpectraLab XF into the inline inspection system both saves setup time and maximises operator efficiency.

“The system provides both visual inspection as well as colour measurement and enables every aspect of process and quality to be monitored,” said Yogev.

“Using the BestMatch optional module, AVT SpectraLab XF suggests possible actions on press and saves time as well as reducing the workload further.

“It measures L*a*b*, Delta E, density and dot gain on flexible packaging and folding carton applications, comparable with offline devices, but all at point of print with no press stops, for maximum efficiency.”

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