Aneesh Raj of Repro Graphics discusses ThermoflexX in India

The flexo market, both the narrow-web and CI, has seen growth in the last five years. This has also given a fillip to the trade suppliers of flexo plates. Mumbai-based Repro Graphics is looking to gain a market share for ThermoflexX, which it represents in India, in the growing flexo business. Noel D’Cunha reports

13 Dec 2020 | By Noel D'Cunha

Aneesh Raj, general manager sales and marketing, Repro Graphics

Selling a piece of equipment is never easy…
Yes. It’s even more challenging when one has to compete against market-dominating brands. We started representing Xeikon ThermoflexX in 2018. We started on a slow note and worked with customers. We did trials, established the worthiness of our products to win the confidence of our customers. The market response has been very encouraging and we could sign eight deals across India till date.

What are the requirements that the current lot of platesetters are not able to meet, which ThermoflexX does?
Unlike major competitors in the market ThermoflexX offers open solutions. These imagers accept one-bit tiff from any workflow or front end. Unique vacuum slider concept to address partial plate mounting, auto-calibration system, automatic resolution switching are some of the features current players are unable to meet

High resolution is the foundation of high-quality platemaking. How does ThermoflexX achieve this?
With 5080 dpi, our customers can achieve the best possible smaller screen dot, fine details and image contrast.

What are the features that would benefit the printers the most?
Quality and consistency. Thanks to our high resolution we can offer the highest in quality, but offering this high-quality day-in-day-out is also important. With our auto-calibration tool, we can offer this consistency. Time to market is also key for printers nowadays. Thanks to our unique dual-head design, our customers can image plates at the highest possible productivity – up to 12 sqm/hr on the TFxX 60 and TFxX 80-D imagers.

Xeikon’s in-house designed and build optics are able to image very sharp pixels as small as 5µm which results in a very smooth tint transition from 0% to 100%.

In terms of cost-effectiveness, higher efficiency, lower investment and easier maintenance, how does it fare
With advanced automation, operators can spend their time more efficiently. Loading a plate on the TFxX 48, 60 and 80 takes less than a minute. Use of linear motors against the conventional lead screw and automatic beam correction for optimal distance per resolution make sure the images are perfect. Partial plate mounting without compromising the registration and speed also add value for machine. Maintenance interface has the ability to prompt a detailed maintenance schedule.