In a technology boom like the one we are experiencing now, the uptake of ever more sophisticated tools increases dramatically. So Esko has developed a front-end operating system that forms a solid foundation for any future developments. The i-cut Production Console (iPC) will be the common platform for all Kongsberg digital finishing systems. It combines the feature set of the XL-Guide tailored for packaging applications and i-cut Vision Pro, the industry standard front-end for cutting and short run productions. The iPC drives all functionality on Kongsberg tables, such as camera control, machine set up, tool recognition, calibration and tool adjustments.
“These tried and tested features are industry favourites, and are now incorporated into a much more intuitive operating system for users,” explained Tom Naess, Esko product manager CAM.
“We want to help customers simplify their approach so they can maximise their capabilities. Ease of use is about making complex tasks easy. A good portion of accomplishing this is hidden in great software design created completely from scratch, consulting with user interface specialists to build an efficient system. The iPC instinctively supports the machine operator and displays colours with a meaning, which draws focus to the right area at the right time. It will change the way operators finish a job, and allow them to get even more out of their machine: they will get up to speed faster while improving the output quality. It all leads to less downtime and more efficiency - with less training or service intervention.”
The i-cut Production Console is ingeniously designed to guide and support the operator, and incorporates a number of logical, user-friendly features: from its icon-based graphical interface with colour coded alerts and updates, to the ability to follow production progress from a distance.
“This enables one operator to do other tasks while overseeing the production on a Kongsberg table. With clear display functionality and easy to understand icons, every step of operation can be readily identified for a smooth process,” Naess noted.
With i-cut Vision Pro software and the Esko XL-Guide that operated previous generations of Kongsberg tables, the new console upholds Esko’s Highest Flexibility promise.
“It's a platform designed to help operators get jobs done faster and easier, with more options. For example, they can pause a run, complete an urgent job or quick prototype, and return to the first batch of work. The result is maximised capacity and uptime with increased efficiency,” Naess explained.
