Germany's Sächsische Walzengravur (SWG) has invested in Kodak's Flexcel Direct System for direct laser engraving of elastomer sleeves and plates. The Frankenberg-based company will use it to enhance its already extensive CO² laser technology.
SWG produces gravure and embossing forms, mechanical cylinders and rollers, print forms for rotating screen printing, and sleeves for gravure and offset printing and special applications. A quarter of its turnover comes from flexo forms for packaging printing, special applications and decorative printing.
SWG sales director Jörg Günther states: "We've deliberately built up our direct laser printing technology over the years. The Flexcel Direct System will play a key role in our strategy for using flexographic printing for high-end packaging. Its high resolution and innovative beam shaping mean we can achieve a significant improvement in engraving quality compared with CO² laser technology, and at the same time increase our productivity."
The Flexcel Direct imager works with high resolution, energy-efficient multi-channel laser diode technology (915nm) and 1,280W laser power. The Kodak TIFF front end software with 3D workflow converts the single-bit raster information into three-dimensional engraving data, and into sleeves and plates with a system-specific elastomer formulation.
SWG will use the system to produce flexo sleeves and plates for customers in the high resolution packaging printing sector. The company aims to increase sales by around 30% with these printing forms.
www.graphics.kodak.com
