Numex boosts platemaking capacity with new Esko line

With this new line, the flexo and letterpress plate production specialist is set to bolster its services for customers in the flexible packaging, labels, letterpress and corrugated markets in India.

According to Nitin Patil, owner of Numex Blocks, the new acquisition was part of the company’s ongoing commitment to deliver the best quality plates to its customers and would be a key part of its continued growth and development.

“The ability to produce the highest quality plates that deliver consistent print quality improves our agility to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers,” said Patil. “This is particularly valuable to us in terms of meeting the demands of not only the urgent short runs with shorter lead times but also for longer runs where consistency is key.

“Following our success with Esko integrated hardware and software in the last two decades, we are delighted to install the entire Crystal line into our platemaking facility,” he said.

“Almost 20 years ago, Numex became the first trade shop in India to offer digital flexo platemaking,” said Murad Kalal, Esko Flexo and Software regional sales manager. “This trend continued with the company investing in the Esko CDI Advance Cantilever 1450 with HD Flexo to guarantee its customers the highest quality print results. Then, in 2013, Numex became the first company in South Asia to install the Esko CDI 5080 with HD Flexo & Pixel+.

“Over the years, Numex Blocks has continuously upgraded its workflow software. And today, it works with the full range of latest software from Esko including Automation Engine, DeskPack, Imaging Engine and more than 20 seats for PackEdge,” he said. “In addition, this new deal will maintain their position at the leading edge of technology with the acquisition of the full Crystal line.”

According to Kalal, with the innovative Crystal technology from Esko, the platemaking process - in terms of imaging and exposure - is now much easier with significantly fewer steps. “The integration of our workflow solutions and hardware technology means that the Numex team is now completely in control of the quality and performance of their plates and subsequent print consistency,” he added.

At the heart of its system, Numex has installed the award-winning Esko XPS Crystal exposure unit. Combining UV main and back exposure, the XPS Crystal uses LEDs that does not require warm-up time and emits even light that enables consistent plate quality and subsequently on press.

"The team is also using the latest imaging technology, Esko Automation Engine and the award-winning Print Control Wizard with its Crystal Screening technology to automate the workflow,” explained Kalal. “They have a full Esko Crystal ecosystem in operation, which helps them consistently produce high-quality plates.”