Narrow news

Evolution more than theory

PCMC recently hosted an 'In-Line Systems Open House' at its Green Bay facility. Visitors saw the new Evolution servo driven, gearless narrow web flexo press demonstrated on both paperboard and flexible packaging work. Says, Rich Rogals, director of the Flexo Division: "We had very impressive runs with the new machine. Customers were amazed at the quick change-over times and extremely fast web speeds. It's a radical departure from anything else out there."

Capable of handling substrates from 13 micron film up to 450 micron folding cartonboard, the Evolution features PCMC's Deck x 2 print deck design that is claimed to ensure extremely high colour to colour register tolerance of within 0.08mm. The press is available in web widths from 18-30in and features line speeds of up to 750ft/min. It also has PCMC's patented eXtreme drying system that allows printing at up to 230m/min with reduced power consumption.

Rich Rogals concludes: "We have leveraged the experience of our engineering department in the CI industry into creating a press that a wide range of converters can use to increase their bottom line, whether they are running lottery tickets, labels, folding cartons, or flexible packaging".

More information from Tim Hilton, PCMC - EMAIL: thilton@papcon.co.uk WEBSITE: www.pcmc.com

Injection of savings

Following the end of its exclusivity deal with converter Cartonmaster, Arpeco is now selling Cartonmaster narrow web systems for cartons in the UK and Ireland.

Latest innovation is the Injector system - "a new approach to cutting and creasing in-line," says Fred Zinnbauer. "It combines the low cost tool benefit of platen presses with the high speed of rotary systems. We are looking to demonstrate a one-year ROI on this press. Other benefits include a six per cent saving on board scrap and reduction on tool wear. "

Injector uses flexible steel tooling without the need to change magnetic cylinders – claimed to eliminate on-going investment in repeat-specific tooling and associated change-over time. Cartonmaster presses are available in widths of 407, 558 and 660mm.

More information from Fred Zinnbauer, Arpeco (UK) - FAX: +44 (0)61 406 8331. EMAIL: arpecouk@arpeco.com

Both from Bobst

Two narrow web presses from Bobst are suited to general folding carton production. The Lemanic 67-F flexo press and the Lemanic 65-H gravure press both handle web widths from 325-650mm and will print and convert solid board from 0.2-0.8mm thick. They are available with up to 12 print units as well as in-line foiling, flatbed or rotary die cutting, and integrated register and quality control systems from Bobst Registron.

The modular design of Schiavi's 650mm wide Pulsar gravure press allows users to tailor-make a line. Running at speeds of up to 450m/min, the Pulsar features Schiavi's integrated system for control of press, drives and register. The Idea is a gravure press designed for short runs.

More information from Harry Coast, Bobst Group - TEL: +44 (0)151 632 3083. EMAIL: harry.coast@bobstgroup.com

Fitting for treatment

Label Concept is a new corona treatment system developed for narrow web converting by Vetaphone. The compact size of the treater and generator allows the complete system to be mounted directly in-line on narrow web presses.

More information from Thomas Noerholm, Vetaphone - TEL: +45 7552 6133. EMAIL: tn@vetaphone.com

A flexo fighter

Aimed at the narrow web flexible packaging market Gidue's new FS Combat 530 flexo press is said to offer simple operation and quick change-over features ideal for short or long print runs.

The 520mm print width press features the Flower servo driven printing head - the printing station components are designed to 'unfold' for ease of access. When a job change or adjustments are needed, the anilox and rubber rollers, together with the doctor blades, automatically disengage, which permits immediate hands-free access.

Interstation drying by pre-heated air is said to enable production speeds of up to 150m/min while eliminating all traces of solvent from the printed ink.

More information from Richard Baldwin, A B Graphic Machinery - TEL: +44 (0)1262 671138. FAX. 01262 677009.

Abbey grows with Gallus

A new nine colour machine is the third Gallus EM 280 flexo press to be installed at Abbey Labels' UK plant. Capable of 150m/min, the presses are well suited to the company's run lengths of from 5,000-1M labels.

The three machines combine to offer 17 flexo print heads, with full UV curing. The latest is also capable of handling board up to 300 micron. This has allowed Abbey to enter the expanding market for tickets and tags.

The company is currently enjoying success with thermal transfer work for sequential bar coding and numbering, and converting roll labels into A4 sheeted products for laser printing. It operates double-day shifts on two presses and single shift on the other.

More information from Doug Clark, Gallus-Group UK - TEL: +44 (0)1763 242244. WEBSITE: www.gallus.ch