Flexo Review
12 February 2007
Press is claimed a major contender
Danish manufacturer Tresu is building a 19 colour in-line flexo printing machine for an American customer that, it claims, will be one of the largest and most complex in the world. It is the first in a new series from Tresu that will enable packaging converters in the paper, board, preprint and foil markets to offer a wider selection of products from the same machine.
According to Tresu, the press was developed with an emphasis on high production speed while maintaining the best print quality for the packaging industry. It also focuses on quick job changes and minimizing material and resource waste. This is said to be achieved by features such as sleeve change on the anilox and plate rollers, and automatic adjustment of the print and registration.
The press will handle both water and solvent based inks and coatings, in addition to UV and EB. It is also said to be possible to lay down large amounts of ink and lacquer on the substrate at high speeds, due to a powerful gas fired hot air drying system that can also be adjusted individually on each printing unit.
The new machine's specification includes web widths from 600-3000mm, production speeds up to 600m/min, and printing lengths of 300-2,800mm. It will print paper, cartonboard and foil, and can be customized with a range of roll to roll or in-line options.
Claimed to be equally suitable for short and long runs, the press is said to be highly automated, “so that the operators can focus on quality control and preparation of the next job”.
First UK installations
Selfadhesive label printer Readyprint is the first company in the UK to install Esko's CDI 2120 flexo platesetter, designed for the narrow web, labelling and packaging markets. Purchased through Litho Supplies, this small footprint, entry level priced CDI for narrow web/label trade shops is said to have enabled the Kidderminster based company to make a smooth migration from analog to digital plate making, resulting in “near litho quality and perfect plates every time”.
Hamilton Adhesive Labels, in Leicester, England, and CV Labels, of Irvine, Scotland are the first UK companies to install Label Traxx print business management software for flexo narrow web label printers and converters. Supplier Tailored Solutions recently opened an office in the UK to serve the European market.
EFTA Print Awards
The judging is complete - the winners notified and plans are well in hand for the 2007 EFTA Print Awards Dinner - this year being held at The Royal Armouries, in Leeds. Hosted by Roger Black, the evening of March 21 will celebrate the “Best in Flexography”. Over 600 tickets have been sold, but a few are still available.
In response to members’ needs, EFTA has developed a two-day training programme covering the essential elements of flexo technology - plates, inks and anilox selection, colour control measurement and consistency, and faulting finding - that can be run in-house for companies who cannot release staff for a four-day course. Up to 10 people can be trained in “a very cost effective manner”. The course can be tailored to specific needs.
The association will also be running its four-day residential courses at The National Print Skills Centre, Leicester, on March 6-9, June 12-15, and October 9-12.
Mark Andy reinforces European commitment
Continued growth has led Mark Andy to invest in a new Advanced Technology Centre for its European headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. The new facility, which will open this month, signifies the company's commitment to Europe and the emerging eastern markets.
Designed to meet a variety of needs, the new centre will offer a full range of technical support to label and package print converters throughout Europe, as well as other parts of the world. It includes a demonstration showroom for print tests on a cross section of the company's Mark Andy and Comco press range, and VSR converting lines. It will also offer certified technical service, advanced print and technical training programmes, educational events, applications R&D, and a complete parts and technical support department.
Mark Andy Europe managing director Dieter Huck comments: “With successful growth in sales and customers throughout Europe and Eastern Europe, we are very proud to be able to support the entire region with this state of the art facility. It will allow us to highlight the advanced technologies offered by Mark Andy and Comco.”
BRIEFLY…
Omet has received an order for the first of its new Varyflex presses from Finnish printing company, Tarratuote. According to Omet, it will be the first in Northern Europe. The latest model boasts a small footprint said to make it ideal where floorspace is at a premium.
Scapa’s new Exafit high performance plate mounting tapes are offered in three, colour coded levels of foam hardness for half tone, combination or block printing.
Last month, Soma introduced its Flex Midi II CI press to the Russian market at Upakovka/Upak Italia 2007. It combines Soma's expertise in printing formed filmic tubing materials for food packaging with a number of new features.
Contacts |
EFTA |