The machine, which has been installed in the last couple of months, is now in full production at the Louth, Lincolnshire-based firm's premises.
The device will enable the firm, which also operates an Esko CDI, to provide higher output speed and plate image quality, said Waldo managing director and owner Phil Walmsley.
“We decided to go with Xeikon because there are some interesting features on the ThermoFlexx 80-D, such as its speed and the high resolution that we can image at, if we need to.
“Our existing CTP systems allow a maximum exposure of four square metres per hour, while the ThermoFlexx 80-D, with its dual-head facility, has a top speed of 12 square metres per hour.”
Walmsley said other appealing features are the easy use of partial plates and the ability to load plates from either side of the machine, the option to mix different resolutions on the same plate, and the ability to output at resolutions of 5,080dpi.
“It’s still early days for us as the imager has only been in operation for a short while, but we’re about to start trials for two clients, outputting at 5,080dpi using LUX ITP flexo plates from MacDermid and Flint’s FTF.
“We’ll also be using this trial to test the ThermoFlexx flat-top-dot and surface screening technologies.”
Due to the open architecture of the ThermoFlexx 80-D, Waldo will be able to integrate the device with its existing pre-press software and Esko FlexRIP. The new imager can also handle all of the flexo plates normally used at the firm’s site.
“We’re confident that the new ThermoFlexx 80-D imager will play a major role in helping us win extra work from existing clients as well as in gaining new clients,” said Walmsley.
Over the past year Waldo has also extended its production facilities from 790sqm to 1,115sqm, installed additional solvent recycling equipment and created a new design studio, which is due for completion by the end of this week.
The business, which is looking to turnover £3m this year, has taken on four more staff over the past few months, giving it a total of 37. Walmsley said the firm plans to further increase its headcount during 2016.
