The Challenge
Reducing warm-up time while maintaining a consistent plate room environment
CCL Industries is one of the world’s largest label companies, serving customers across a wide range of markets. At CCL Label Ashford in the UK, the team produces labels and patient information leaflets for the healthcare sector. With quality and consistency central to its work, the team needs reliable equipment throughout the production process.
Its previous plate exposure system required a significant warm-up period before production could begin. This didn’t just take time. The heat generated during warm-up also affected the temperature of the plate room, despite air conditioning being used to maintain a consistent environment.
The team needed a faster, more controlled approach to plate exposure.
The Solution
Mercury-free LED exposure with Esko XPS Spark 4835
CCL Label Ashford upgraded its plate exposure technology with Esko XPS Spark 4835.
Using LED exposure eliminates the lengthy warm-up required by the team’s previous system. Once a plate is loaded, the new unit is ready in seconds, helping operators get to work faster while keeping heat more controlled.
The system’s design has also made everyday operation easier. Operators can access the machine easily, see the exposure lights during operation, and quickly adjust preferences when needed.
The installation was straightforward, too. The system arrived assembled, and the Esko team guided the team through the setup and operation.
“[NAME] did an amazing job. He walked us through all the steps and showed us how everything worked. Ever since then, it’s been working wonders. We’ve had no issues,” says [NAME, TITLE].
The Benefits
Faster operation, easier use, and consistent results
Removing the lengthy warm-up period has helped CCL Label Ashford save time while maintaining better control over the plate room environment.
“There’s less warm-up time, which is amazing. The LEDs make it quicker to use, and not having mercury in the bulbs is great,” says [NAME].
The team has also found the updated technology easy and accessible to use, with settings that can be quickly adjusted to suit its needs.
The results have met the team’s expectations. Print testing produced consistent results, and a direct comparison between plates made using the previous system and the XPS Spark 4835 showed a slight improvement in color with the new LED exposure unit.
“We’re more than happy with the print testing,” says [NAME]. “There’s no drag or anything. This is a great start.”
