SMART DESIGN

66 | L&L
BERHALTER demonstrated a system for
automated handling of in-mold labels
DUPONT launched a Fast
thermal processor for sleeves
Inx showed its new NW140 narrow web inkjet press with
UV LED curing, part of its Evolve Advanced Digital Solutions
line of equipment, which now includes the option of an in-line
Spartanics laser die-cutter module.
Isys launched its Edge 850 desktop label printing system
at the show. The machine press will print variable data on
die-cut or roll substrates at speeds of 8 m/min (25ft/min/ 6ips)
on a wide array of media. The company says applications will
include beverage, food and consumer product label printing.
PRESSES
A new press player for L&L readers will be KYMC, which
introduced its Moduflex mid-web in-line flexo press with an
870mm (34.25”) web with UV and/or hot air drying for shrink
sleeves or cut and stack label solutions with print repeat range
of 300 mm (11.8”) to 800 mm (31.5”). KYMC has an impressive
track record. The company has over 1,000 installations CI flexo
and stack presses in 42 countries.
Soma Engineering launched its Premia flexo press running
the new Connection monitoring software. The 1270mm wide
Premia press runs at up to 500 m/min and featured ‘Ink-Ready’
job preparation system, which covers wash-up, blade & sealing
exchange as well as anilox sleeve changeover, and allows
preparation of the next job while the current one is running.
Focus Label Machinery extended its Centraflex flexo press
from water- and solvent-based to a new UV model designed for
printing and converting a wide range of unsupported substrates
including shrink sleeves and casings. The press incorporates
a water-cooled CI drum together with air-cooled lampheads
on each print station. For textile labels and ribbons, Focus
launched its benchtop B4 Letterflex. This new design offers up
to four colors, with options for reverse side printing and multiple
ribbon printing. A new, halogen lamp drying system enables
production speeds up to 60 m/min.
Omet showed a Varyflex V2 press switching between cartons
and flexible packaging. The demo moved from high quality
cosmetic cartons, including reverse printing and cold foil, to a
shrink sleeve label in just six minutes. The press demonstrated
Omet’s new Vision-2 control system, resulting in dramatic waste
reduction at these high machine speeds.
Muller Martini has significantly upgraded its VSOP web
offset press, making access to the print units easier. Sleeve
positioning has been improved, reducing wear and tear of
the airshaft during frequent size changes and Muller Martini’s
own inking system has been integrated into the VSOP. Remote
diagnostic instruments are now available.
Lombardi showed a Lexus CI flexo press equipped with a
double chamber central drum for cooling when UV drying
is engaged. Features include a closed doctor blade with
recirculation of the ink and automatic release of the plate roll at
machine stop, allowing the anilox roller to rotate. With a speed
LABELS&LABELING
up to 120 m/min, the Lexus press will handle a wide range of
materials, from self-adhesives to flexible film.
UK-based press manufacturer K2 International showed its
6-color FastAction flexographic press equipped with full UV
curing and servo drives to enable both label and film packaging
substrates to be processed. A digital print head allowed
for variable data and barcodes. While the company’s core
competence has been in PS labels, 800mm-wide machines
are now available for unsupported film shrink and wraparound
labels as well as flexible packaging applications using solvent
and water based inks.
Chinese press manufacturer Weifang Donghang is making
a major push into the European market with both a new
intermittent offset press and a wider web flexo press for film and
flexible packaging applications. Richard McGuire, international
sales manager at Donghang, is currently busy setting up an
Euroean network of agents and a new generation of presses
will be launched at Labelexpo Europe, where the company has
already booked a stand in hall 11.
ANCILLARIES
Kocher & Beck branched out into web control systems with the
launch of its UR Precision automatic splicer and rewind system,
the first of which was ordered at the show by US converting
group Smyth Companies for its new Gallus RCS installation.
Martin Automatic demonstrated its range of narrow web
automatic butt splicing unwind systems as well as web
transport systems for delicate webs. The company is currently
working on a comprehensive evaluation of automated splicing
and rewinds in terms of sustainability profile as well as ROI.
Swiss company Berhalter featured a demonstration of its
web-fed in-mold label die-cutting system. Handling thin IML
substrates through die-cutting and stacking has long been
a challenge, particularly the elimination of static charge, and
this dedicated machine is an increasingly popular solution
according to the company.
Machinery from AB Graphic was converting the full range of
packaging materials. A Digicon 2 with an HP Indigo WS6600
was shown capable of converting short run flexible packaging
and well as PS labels, while a joint demonstration with flatbed
die-cutting and creasing equipment manufacturer Kama
illustrated the effectiveness of printing and finishing small
orders of highly decorated digitally printed folding cartons.
This Digicon solution incorporates a large diameter unwind
with in-line flexo unit for applying both UV and water-based
varnishes. The company demonstrated the latest Saber Xtreme
laser die-cutter in line with UV flexo and overlaminating units.
Cartes was also majoring on laser die-cutting of PS labels
with the launch of its new HS series, fully configurable with
hot stamping, silk screen printing, varnishing, embossing, flat
die-cutting, laser and/or rotary die-cutting.