The greatest label show - part 2

Cobra plate mounting machines for both sleeves and cylinders will be exhibited by JM Heaford (stand 5E85), including a new unit designed to handle press ready cylinders mounted on shafts with the striker discs in place. Also new is a PC based video control system which is optional on the full machine range and has a number of novel features not previously available.

HP’s stand (9G65/9G70) will present the latest developments in digital label, shrink sleeve and flexible packaging production. HP’s newest digital label printing press, the high volume HP Indigo WS6000, printing at 30 m/min in 4-colour mode, is compatible with a broad range of substrates from 12-450 micron label or shrink sleeve media to folding carton material. The WS6000 has been developed for printers requiring a capacity of 300,000 m/month (single shift). The HP Indigo press ws4500 combines the fast set-up of digital printing with capabilities to further increase productivity and print quality. It offers a fully automated workflow as well as enhanced colour capabilities said to out-perform conventional printing methods. It is engineered for cost effective production jobs of approximately 2,000 linear metres and for a variety of label, shrink sleeve and packaging applications.

Innovia Films (stand 5A05) will be showcasing its full portfolio of BOPP grades suitable for label applications, including Rayoface, new In Mould Labelling films, NatureFlex biodegradable and compostable products, and its range of certified HP Indigo substrates.

Isra Vision’s (stand 11R112) PrintStar inspection system for sheet-fed and web-fed processes, and inspection of single labels is said to offer true 100 per cent monitoring and documentation of the print quality, in-line or off-line, for each repeat. Advanced algorithms and superior technology are said to provide reliable detection of all critical defects, such as: spots, streaks, colour deviation, smears and registration defects. Integrated database functions provide a complete history and documentation of quality for the customer. RewindManager automates the removal of waste in the finishing department. PrintStar may be installed directly on a narrow web press and used in conjunction with the RewindManager to remove the waste at the slitter. It can also be installed on the slitter or doctor machine for off-line inspection.

Jet Europe (stand 11R60) is to showcase its latest range of high quality photopolymer printing plates, and washing, exposure, drying, finishing and cleaning equipment. There will be several new digital offerings for flexo and UV flexo, letterpress and dry offset. The PlateRite FX870II is the latest flexo CTP imager from Screen, mainly targeted for label printing plates up to 870 x 762 mm. It features a new high output recording head and an auto balancing function that ensures stable drum rotation.

The KSI slitter/inspection machine, available in two models - ProCombi (film and label) and ProLabel (label only) - is new from Karlville. The KSI-ProCombi comes in 450 and 650 mm web widths and operates at 300 m/min, with four AC vector motors for the unwind, nip and dual bi-directional rewinds. All tension systems are fully automatic and vision systems may be integrated for 100 per cent inspection. The KSI-ProLabel has a 350 mm web width and 300 m/min speed, with two AC vector motors for nip and rewind. The unwind has a magnetic brake to insure accurate tension ranges for difficult applications such as PET and PE liners. Both machines share the same slitting components and smart label applications.

New from K2 Flexo (stand 7N58) will be the 330 mm K2 330 label presses, shown with intuitive diagnostic technology. Managing director Russell Oddy says: “The K2 330 fills a gap in our range where the requirement is for large quantities of labels in certain markets. For example milk, beverage, food and pharmaceutical labels between 80 and 105 mm wide can only be printed a maximum of two-up on a 250 mm web press, allowing for waste matrix. On a 330 mm web press, the same labels can be produced three-up. This increases production capacity by as much as 50 per cent, but the extra cost for this wider web press is very small.” The K2 330 can be supplied with up to 12 print units for UV or water based inks.

The Mark Andy (stand 5C10) family of brands will each have new offerings. Mark Andy itself will debut the ‘groundbreaking’ Performance Series in-line printing and converting machine, claimed to deliver the fastest change-over times, best-in-class registration technology and green solutions – ‘all designed to increase profits and save time and money’. The new P7 model will be shown live at Labelexpo. “The sophisticated simplicity of the Performance Series is the beauty of this design,” states Jeff Feltz, director of product management: “We took enormous global converter research and narrowed down to nine critical design objectives. Every single one has been met and is already dazzling many converters.” Rotoflex will display the new HSR inspection and rewinding system, which reflects a horizontal workflow and complements the established vertical workflows in the Rotoflex range. Finally, Max, the service and support division for all Mark Andy brands, will make its debut in Brussels. It is said to have the largest team of technicians and parts specialists in the narrow web industry.

The MLS automatic splicer will make its European debut on the Martin Automatic stand (7K90). The MLS is a compact lap splicer for non-stop unwinding at full press speed, said to be ideal for mid-web press laminating applications, and for introducing additional webs to a process. It is designed to mount above the print units of new or existing web presses, or at a right angle to a press line. When combined with other Martin Automatic splicing and rewinding equipment, the MLS is said to offer increased productivity and reduced waste by eliminating manual roll changes.

First time exhibitor MDC Max Daetwyler Deutschland (stand 12Y10) will be featuring its doctor blades and moulding machines for gravure and flexo printing, along with its service and distribution packages for consumables. The company states that it can build the ideal doctor blade for any application, as typified by three new blades - Bluestar, Optilife and Goldstar, which have been developed in response to specific customer requirements.

MPS (stand 11Q40) will reveal two new flexo presses. For flexible packaging, the EF-packaging model has a web width of 660 mm and incorporates the company’s Crisp Dot high print definition technology and Multi Drive gearless servo technology. UV and hot air dryers are available both for water and solvent systems. The second new model is trumpeted as ‘the most cost effective servo driven label press in the industry’. This new EC version has short web technology and will also incorporate in any position: UV, hot air and IR drying; hot and coldfoil stamping; screen printing; de-lam/re-lam and many more converting options. MPS is also launching iControl, a new press control system.

The StretchCorrect software package from Muller Martini (stand 5D35) is claimed to offer infinitely variable sizes and allow label and packaging printers to produce their products cost effectively using the Alprinta V web offset press. StretchCorrect features print length and print width correction components that allow offset printing of thin and stretchable films. Values are entered directly in millimetres and integrated flexo units are adjusted together with the offset units. The print width of each unit can be changed while the machine is running. Settings and job data are saved, ready for repeat jobs. SEE PART 3 FOR MORE EXHIBITORS