A new process for producing flexo printing sleeves for the high end sector was unveiled by Hell Gravure Systems and Hueck Folien at a recent joint open house event in Weiden, Germany. The PremiumFlexo process is said to combine the benefits of the polymer flexo LAMS process with those of direct engraving.
At the time of the event, the beta installation in Weiden had only been installed for four weeks. Nevertheless, several colour sets of elastomer sleeves had been directly lasered and tested on various substrates under production conditions on an external UV flexo press.
Key to the new process is the PremiumSetter laser engraver, controlled by PremiumRip, which is said to enable each individual screen dot to be profiled precisely in three dimensions. Engraving is carried out on the specially tailored PremiumSleeve. According to Hell, this not only offers all the advantages of round seamless printing sleeves, “but also sets new standards in logistics and cost effectiveness”.
PremiumFlexo is said to offer printers all the benefits of round printing forms: continuous motifs, short makeready times, smooth operation, high print speeds, no plate damage, and simplified cleaning. Hueck will be using the directly lasered PremiumSleeves to print on foil on a BHS UV flexo press.
Hell says the suitability of direct laser engraving of continuous/seamless elastomer printing form sleeves and its benefits “makes it a serious alternative to established production processes in flexo printing”.
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