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With more than 2,000 machines installed in around 70 countries over 25 years, it’s no exaggeration to say Kongsberg dieless cutting tables are a well-established piece of kit.

However, in 2006, manufacturer EskoArtwork decided to capitalise on the success of the XL range of cutting tables by introducing the i-XL.

The i-XL includes i-Cut Vision software originally developed by US manufacturer Mikkelson Graphic Engineering, a group EskoArtwork bought last year. The i-Cut enables you to guarantee a printed cut contour that matches the printed graphics for producing perfect prototypes.

With the emerging class of large-format flatbed inkjet printers, as well as other high-performance roll-fed digital printers, EskoArtwork spotted a gap in the market for a finishing system that could work alongside these machines.

"These printers are getting quicker, which means you have to spend a long time waiting for dies," says Paul Bates, EskoArtwork’s regional business manager for the UK and Ireland. The system works by strategically placed registration dot marks that are printed with the graphics and are then used to align the cutting path.

The i-XL cuts, creases or mills patterns from solid board, Perspex or MDF and is targeted at short runs of between 300-400 sheets making it perfect for products such as point-of-sale items and drop bins.

Quick turnaround
"It cuts out substrates at 50m per minute, creases them and then the operator can either take it off manually or automatically via the conveyor," says Bates.

Instead of using belts, the machine employs a rack and pinion system to connect the X/Y drives, which the firm says gives the table more stability and reliability.

Last year, the manufacturer updated the i-Cut software to Version 7, offering greater flexibility to cope with a wider range of jobs. The i-Cut 7, which can be retro installed onto all Kongsberg tables, also recommends to the operator the best way to cut the work.

At Drupa 2008, the manufacturer unveiled a prototype of its new XP range of Kongsberg tables that has been further enhanced for the short-run digital market. It was launched mid-2009 and, according to Bates "it does everything its predecessor can do, but running at 100m/min, it’s capable of twice the speed".

The Kongsberg has a healthy competitor in Zund, but this hasn’t stopped EskoArtwork selling more than 50 i-XL machines in the UK alone since its launch. The UK is an active market for sign and display graphics, says Bates, being four times the size of Germany’s.

Used machines are usually sourced from customers who are changing format sizes and upgrading to larger tables. Sellers often don’t have the PC or software licenses because you cannot sell software onto a third party, so if such elements are missing make sure this is reflected in the price. Bates adds that you should check the service history and ask for an inspection by Esko if you are mulling over a purchase.

EskoArtwork has its own engineers available for callouts on the machine. Expect to pay around £100,000 for a new machine depending on the configuration and around £60,000 for a three-year-old model.

According to Bates, the machines hold their value very well and have a long operational life.

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i-xl20 Specifications
Working area with FlexiHead 1,680x1,270mm
Working area with MultiCut 1,680x1,270mm
Working area with MultiCut router 1,680x1,270mm
Max material size 1,750x1,620mm
Max speed 50m/min
Weight 405kg
Footprint 2.25x2m
Price
New: £100,000
Used three-year model:around £60,000
What to look for
Complete tools
Expert inspection
Service history