Gearless press gives Supreme capability

Demand for ever more complex process printing, and the flexibility to handle a multitude of short run jobs quickly, has led to the installation of a new Bielloni 10 colour flexo press at the Supreme Plastics Group's Lincoln, UK, flexible packaging factory. The Theorema 10 Stealth Gearless press is faster, at up to 350m/min, than its eight colour predecessor and offers advanced electronic features, with highly accurate registration and superior print quality, "rivalling results previously only achievable by the rotagravure process", it is claimed.

The new press employs an electronically controlled system that replaces gears with direct motion transmission to the printing cylinder, anilox and central drum - featuring AC motors with independently adjusted digital drives. Print repeats can be electronically adjusted to within two per cent - without modifying the sleeve diameter, says Bielloni. Repetition of parameters for memorized jobs, automatic printing deck positioning and register adjustment are said to have helped boost production efficiency at the Supreme Plastics plant. Waste at start-up has been minimized, while machine set-up and job change-over times have been reduced, the company states.

According to Paul Abbot, print manager, much of the work created on the press is for the competitive frozen food industry, which requires overlaying of line and process colour to give perfect depth of colour.

"Demand has increased for jobs involving even more intricate artwork," he says. "The new 10 colour press is a real asset to the group, which is expanding continually. Together with existing equipment, it gives us capacity to swiftly and reliably handle both regular customer jobs as well as those urgent one-offs that the supermarket industry frequently requires from food processors."

With over 40 years' experience in the design and manufacture of flexible packaging products, Supreme Plastics has retailer approved status and specializes in quick response, short to medium run work. The company's Lincoln site provides printed film for the food industry, together with finished resealable and conventional bags for packaging and processing companies.