Diamond all set to shine

20 April 2006




“Innovation has always been a key point at Uteco,” said Leonardo Gobbi, vice president of marketing and sales, when Converting Today visited the Verona manufacturing plant and headquarters of the company recently.

The last couple of years have seen plenty of evidence of that. Latest addition to the range is the Diamond HP high speed CI flexo press, which is to be launched during Converflex. And on the gravure front the engraved sleeve based gravure Q-Press is now a reality, following its prototype launch during drupa.

During Converting Today’s visit earlier this year a Diamond completing trials was running at an astounding 600m/min. Elegantly styled, the gearless press (the eight colour model is being delivered to Poland and a 10 colour version to an Italian customer) features thermoregulated control of the CI frames by air ducts, carbon fibre sleeve mandrels and assisted sleeve ejection. Intercolour drying is an essential part of the high productivity (HP) design. The Tresu enclosed doctor blade system is used and the press is equipped with BST video control. Perhaps one of the most interesting features is the total redesign of unwind and rewind to allow for faster running and splicing. It includes new automatic turret winders, automatic changing of cores and off take of reels.

The Diamond is positioned at the top of the range of Uteco flexo presses, which also includes the Emerald and the Onyx. A fully operational Diamond HP press will be displayed printing at Uteco’s factory demonstration centre for the duration of Converflex. A shuttle service will be provided to and from the show to Verona.

Said Mike Attard of UK agency Eurograv: “This press takes us into the next league. It should definitely grab the attention of the owner drivers.”

Flexo presses accounted for 72 per cent of Uteco’s sales in 2005 with 11 per cent being accounted for by gravure. “Although we did have a certain history of gravure we were really known for our flexo presses,” said Leonardo Gobbi. “In 2003 we saw that the market was in need of other gravure press suppliers. We also concluded that we couldn’t compete in the conventional type of press area. We had to study something new – something ‘against the current’ yet which met the concept of quick change and short runs.

“The Q-Press operates only with engraved sleeves - currently the Saueressig system. It is the press for short runs and for jobs that are maybe flexo now, but for customers who want to enter the gravure market.” He enthused: “This is the beginning of the new era of the use of sleeves. The prototype was at drupa, but now we are ready. I believe that 2006 will be the year of the Q-Press. Seventy-four customers have seen it and I believe we could sell another six presses this year.” The eight colour press on the floor in early February has since been delivered to southern Germany. Press speed is rated at up to 350m/min.

By simply switching the printing sleeve and pressure roll sleeve, the company has eliminated the trolley. Both are easily accessed through ‘cupboard door style’ hinged panels. Washing of the whole inking group is achieved on the press and with an optional configuration manual regulation of the doctor blades is replaced by semi motorized or fully motorized systems to automate the exact position of the blade, which can range from the 11am to 3pm position. The position can be memorized within the system for repeat jobs.

The expanding mandrel means that different thickness of sleeves and therefore different repeat lengths can be accommodated. The only restriction is that the press is limited to one metre wide. “After that the sleeves become too heavy.”

All the stages – for example sleeve change, doctor blade group positioning and washing cycle - are automatically controlled through Uteco’s SmartPack suite of software. One printing unit will be displayed at Converflex

Uteco had a turnover of e55M in 2005 and exported 65 per cent of its production. It has sales and service centres in the USA, Australia, S America, Germany the UK and Benelux. “Our goal is to organize this in South East Asia,” said Leonardo Gobbi. Converflex - Hall 22, stand A19-B18.


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