The greatest label show - part 3

Pulse Roll Label Products (stand 7N110) will launch a range of inks for food packaging applications. It will also feature developments in UV and water based inks, varnishes and adhesives for the production of labels with special decorative effects and finishes, including tactile, textured, high brilliance silver, peel and read, and liner-less.

The new RT Strobe 3000 from Rheintacho (stand 11Q7) is a very bright stroboscope designed for long term use in static applications to observe rapid motion sequences in processes such as those used in labelling and printing. The RT Strobe Control can also be used with other brands. Rheintacho has developed a measurement unit that enables precise measurements of flash strength and illumination geometry.

RK Print Coat Instruments (stand 11P65) will show the new Paste Ink Proofer (PIP) with integrated UV curing capability, for ‘quick, repeatable and highly accurate’ proofing of UV inks and UV curable varnishes. The automated unit eliminates the need to weigh or measure ink samples. Accurate proofs are obtained in a single operation and two inks may be proofed simultaneously for comparison. The proofs may be used for computer colour matching data, customer samples, or to test for colour, gloss, opacity, penetration, drying, rub and abrasion resistance.

Sandon Global Engraving (stand 7N128) will launch HOC anilox roll technology, which enables label printers to use high opaque colour UV flexo printing as an alternative to rotary screen. HOC joins the company’s high opacity white HOW anilox brand for printing screen quality whites using UV flexo, also showing for the first time in Europe. “HOC and HOW anilox engraving technology coupled with the right UV flexo inks can bring significant cost savings to label printers,” says managing director John Millington. Also making a debut are the HVP high volume process and Ipro high process print anilox roll technologies, designed for high print speeds and high line count applications in process print.

Unilux (stand 5D95) will unveil LED versions of its stroboscopic inspection lights for label printers. Says Unilux president Michael P Simonis: ”Their softer light makes LEDs best suited for inspecting labels and packaging with highly reflective coatings, foils or metallised substrates, or on high speed lines. Pulsed LED lights can replace strobe lights with Xenon lamps, where inspectors sometimes need to dial down the intensity or use frosted glass to avoid harsh reflections. When combining the light with our reflector designs, Unilux can provide even illumination across the entire surface.” The Unilux lights have a higher initial cost than strobe lights with Xenon lamps, but do not have the same replacement costs, it is claimed. They enable operators to spot defects at production speeds over 750 m/min.

Vetaphone (stand 7N55) is to exhibit its Corona-Plus web treatment equipment for narrow web applications. The CC-Plus combines narrow web contact cleaning, corona surface treatment and static neutralisation. It is designed for easy thread-up, reduced space requirement, easy handling and complete machine integration. The compact TOU4 narrow web corona treater station is available for both single and double-sided treatment. It is said to guarantee high, uniform treatment levels on both conductive and non-conductive substrates. The patented Quick-Change system promises minimal downtime, reduced maintenance costs and increased productivity.

A variety of digital applications will be shown on VipColor’s (stand 9G50) new VIPColor 485e on-demand label printer. The 485e enables any printing or manufacturing company to produce labels in-house ‘both efficiently and economically’. Key features include print speeds up to 4 ips, large separate ink tanks to reduce cost and waste, full bleed for professional quality 4,800 x 1,200 dpi, and simple set-up and operation from roll or fanfold labelstock. The system can produce labels with variable colour, images, text and bar code content, and generate customised product and package labels.

More than 10 OEMs will be demonstrating Xaar (stand 9F102) enabled printers that show ‘the power and flexibility of inkjet and its impact in digital print’. These include Atlantic Zeiser, Delta Industrial Services, Durst, EFI and FFEI/Nilpeter. All these machines use the industrial strength Xaar 1001 variable drop (greyscale) printhead. Its XaarDOT (Xaar Drop Optimisation Technology) capability and TF Technology design is said to ensure high reliability and productivity. XaarDOT gives users the ability to select drop size or resolution, depending on the application, image quality and substrate.

In the Digital Experience (hall 9), Xeikon (stand 9H60) will conduct live demonstrations showing a wide range of applications possible with its 3300 digital press. These include novel heat transfer applications and on-demand, personalised label printing on a broad variety of substrates. The 3300 promises exceptionally high quality digital label printing at a true 1,200 dpi resolution (four bits per spot) at a top speed of 19.2 m/min and monthly duty cycle of 750,000 linear metres. Xeikon will also unveil a large capacity unwinder capable of handling larger substrate rolls, and demonstrate a live example of JDF integration.