CTiP III Offers New Greener Engraving

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (KBBS) has introduced the next iteration in its computer-to-intaglio plate technology with CTiP III, which it claims has a better ecological impact as well as offering new intaglio engraving opportunities to printers.

Traditionally, manufacturing an intaglio printing plate involved multiple steps, three of them using chemicals (nickel and chrome), and took at least a week.

Some years ago, KBBS introduced the PlateCoat, an eco-friendly solution for the chroming of the plates. Today, with the introduction of the CTiP III and its direct engraving capabilities, KBBS says it can now offer customers a safer and greener process. It reduces the time needed to manufacture a plate to about two days, while contributing to the health of operators and the environment.

The CTiP’s solid granite block avoids vibrations, the drum-based fixing module enables better precision during engraving, and the adjustable resolution provides total flexibility.

It is equipped with the latest generation of lasers (ie. ultra-short pulse lasers), resulting in precise and neat engravings directly into the metal without any redeposition on the sides. The resulting engraved metal plates can be used either as a matrix or as direct plates.

Thanks to these lasers, the machine can engrave different types of material, including steel (traditionally, metal engraving has been done on brass or copper as these materials are easier to engrave). And due to the material properties, the resulting engraved plate has a higher resistance on the press.

Engraving on steel also offers a completely chemical neutral production and as such is fully environmentally friendly, as it does not use any galvanic solution. The user-friendliness of the CTiP III makes the switch from brass to steel easy, as only minor adjustments are required. This flexibility is a tremendous asset to cope with the needs of production, says KBBS.

The CTiP III has already been adopted by several customers around the world and other installations are currently taking place.