Countdown to drupa

World of flexo from W&H

Visitors to the Windmöller & Hölscher stand will have the opportunity to see live demonstrations of the Novoflex CM high performance CI press for wide web applications.

The direct drive CI flexo sleeve press offers 10 colour decks, a 1,300mm print width and a maximum print repeat length of 880mm. Its high efficiency drying system and the drive motors are rated at printing speeds of up to 600m/min. The CI section features a vibration-free cast iron construction and a compact closed frame assembly.

W&H's new Port-A-Sleeve handling concept allows for fast, program controlled change-over of plate cylinder sleeves or adapters as well as anilox sleeves. An automatic sleeve pusher facilitates their removal from the mandrel.

The new Procontrol TS touchscreen operator desk in conjunction with a Windows based operator interface allows for fast data input, machine set-up and production start-up. Supplementary modules include retrieval of production analysis data, or of data from the order, and a product memory and management system. In addition, interfaces can be provided to permit exchange of operating data with a central production data acquisition system.

The machine on show will demonstrate a number of optional automation modules, including the Turboclean fully automatic ink supply and wash-up system, a camera supported print quality inspection system, and a makeready capability for printing decks not in use.

Also on show is the new Primaflex C "economically priced" direct drive sleeve press, with a print width of 820mm and eight direct driven colour decks. Maximum repeat length is 800mm and top speed 300m/min. The "easy to access" printing decks feature ink supply and wash-up capabilities.

Making its worldwide debut will be Easy-Set, the patented system claimed to be the world's first for automatic impression setting on flexo presses. Said to eliminate complicated operator adjustments, a sequence controller directs the impression setting process. The printed images are recorded by a camera and evaluated in an image processor which sends the calculated adjustment values to the machine controller.

The Easy-Set is available as an option for all new Astraflex, Novoflex and Primaflex flexo presses. Hall 15, stand A41.

Friendly chamber system

AkeBoose will be launching "probably the most user friendly and cost effective ink transfer system in the world, using a minimum of pressure against the anilox roller and a totally new doctor blade clamping concept".

The Chamber System – Nova is based on experience gained from the company's patented Classic chamber system (previously known as the FlexoCompact). It is designed to overcome limitations in existing ink chambers concerning leakage, cleaning, maintenance, high speed printing and weight.

Optional features include remote control and washing systems. Hall 8, stand A16.

See something 'sensational'

"A sensational innovation in the converting station" of the Varyflex narrow web flexo press is promised by Omet. It will be "a novelty destined to transform the market, allowing important cost savings and increased performances," the company boasts.

The Varyflex is a modular configuration integrated line for label and packaging converters. It offers different interchangeablity of print methods (flexo, silkscreen, rotogravure, hot foil, cold foil) and infinitely variable printing of formats from 12-33in "with the greatest precision". Omet claims it was the first machine to be completely electronically operated without gears on the printing plate cylinder. It was the first narrow web machine to use sleeve technology, the company adds.

Omet is also a leading supplier of paper napkin machines, with hundreds of machines installed around the world. A TV 503 model will be presented at the exhibition with an embossing unit for production of a 'three-ply' product with, the company claims, "a considerable increase in napkin consistency, accentuating its softness and its absorbing power". Hall 10, stand A44.

Adhesive attractions include low odour

Of special interest to packaging converters will be Rohm and Haas' Mor-Free ELM Series extreme low monomer solventless adhesives. Specially formulated to reduce the risks associated with primary aromatic amine formation, these adhesives are said to provide outstanding bonds on all substrates, including metallized films and aluminium foils.

Robond L series water based adhesives are said to meet a wide range of converter needs for general purpose food packaging flexible laminates. These environmentally friendly, VOC compliant systems can be used on paper, films, and metallized films, and are compatible with solvent based, water based, and UV ink systems, the company states.

Fast drying and sealing, low odour, and very secure bonds are claimed to be characteristic features of Robond CS/Coseal coldseal adhesives. For use primarily with food packaging – ice cream, chocolate, candy, and other perishable, temperature sensitive foods – they are also said to be ideal for protective packaging, labels, and packaging for medical products such as bandages, as well as industrial and consumer goods like detergents. Hall 08, stand A25.

Kroenert's strong group

Kroenert, BMB, and Drytec are exhibiting for the first time on one stand under the logo of the Kroenert Group. The 300m² display will show "that 100 years of company history as well as technological progress are not contradictory but complement each other".

The group will be showing its curtain coating technique for the medium to high speed range – claimed to produce perfect coated surfaces and offer an economic alternative to conventional coating methods for many applications.

Also featured will be the MPG 600 CI refined pressurized chamber doctor blade coating system with specific gravure roller geometries for multi functional use. Another speciality is the Steamtec system for rehumidification and curl control of papers and boards by means of controlled steam. This concept also allows addition of high moisture levels for fast running lines. Hall 10, stand A74.

Dots without densitometers

Co Fo Me Gra is introducing the "simple but ingenious" DFP 402 and DFP 406 hand-held devices to measure dot percentages on both conventional offset and CTP plates.

This new technology is not a densitometer nor a CCD base unit, the company states. "The new devices do not present the problems densitometers show when trying to measure on offset plates and because they are not CCD base units, they have very affordable prices."

The new solution is said to be a reflection measuring system with an exceptionally high resolution that can measure: dot percentages (positive and negative) on offset plates and paper; density on plates and paper; and dot percentages on films for comparison between film and plate. Hall 09, stand C21.

Sun shines on ink innovations

Sun Chemical will offer a process ink series for sheet-fed printing claimed to set a global standard and meet all four colour needs. Called World Series, these inks are based on vegetable oils and are 100 per cent mineral oil-free. They are said to offer excellent lithographic performance on large and small format four colour presses - including perfecting presses - and can be used on a wide variety of substrates including folding cartonboards.

Sun has also patented a new package of photoinitiators for UV inks called M-Cure, which can be safely used for printing sensitive food, drug and cosmetic packaging, including those printed by offset and flexo. It is claimed to offer "new levels of safety and printing performance that should meet changing regulatory requirements".

Sun and Inca Digital Printers will demonstrate a high speed inkjet system using single pass technology, said to allow full colour sheet-fed printing on corrugated substrates at three times the speed of today's inkjet technology. The digital press will be part of PrintCity's 'Print Factory' in Hall 06. Sun and Inca recently announced a partnership to commercialize this technology, which will use pigmented inks developed by Sun on an array of fixed inkjet heads that will produce high quality colour on print widths up to 520mm at 300dpi, with speeds of 100m/min plus.

"These products represent a significant advancement for the packaging industry, as they will allow greatly improved graphic capability that can be easily customized through the use of variable data in a single pass on the press," says John Law, SunJet managing director.

Sun Chemical also will showcase the capabilities of its patented WetFlex printing system and UniQure inks. This system allows the use of wet trapping, electron beam cured inks on a central impression flexo press, without the use of inter-station drying. This technology, designed for use in flexible packaging, promises to enhance converters' productivity and the quality of their product. Sun recently opened a WetFlex demonstration centre at its Carlstadt research facility, in the USA. Hall 06, stands A79, B79.

Looking for a cure?

Visitors to the Primarc stand will see a wide selection of UV curing, metal halide and electrodeless microwave powered bulbs suitable for all known makes of UV dryer. The company's lamps are used in all printing processes, sheet and web-fed, and used worldwide for the curing of inks and coatings in the printing, packaging and labelling industries. The recently expanded series of spectrally enhanced metal halide lamps are available in gallium, iron, indium and lead form.

Primarc manufactures 3,000 different lamp designs in a wide range of arc lengths varying from 20-2,400mm. All lamps and equipment are manufactured to ISO 9001:2000. Hall 03, stand D35.

Making reel movement easier

The new Roll-o-Mat 150/K mobile reel handling system, to be shown for the first time by Leu-Tronic, is designed to clamp reels of film, plastics, foil and paper up to 150kg weight in the core and is said to enable manual turning through 90 degrees. It has an expanding mandrel incorporating spikes to ensure safe clamping inside the reel core.

An adjustable balancer allows handling of reels from 300-800mm width. After manual reel turning, a cantilever mounted machine axle can be loaded. Integrated glide rollers in the mandrel assist this process. The movable, hydraulically operated trolley can be supplied in various formats (for example, with electric lifting and driving) to suit individual requirements.

Leu-Tronic will also show the Roll-o-Mat 70 with outer clamping. Hall 04, stand B04.

New dimensions in point of sale

Drupa will be the world premiere for an imaging science "breakthrough" that allows the creation of 3D and existing lenticular effects using mainstream equipment. HumanEyes technology will be exhibited on various stands, including KBA. It was developed by Hebrew University professor Shmuel Peleg, the company's cto and a computer vision expert. The technology achieves something believed impossible, says the company: "Combining 3D stereo and panorama. Users can employ ordinary digital cameras, printers and presses to create automatically and output stereoscopic 3D pictures with minimal effort."

"When I first saw this," says Benny Landa, founder of Indigo, and now a HumanEyes board member "I was quite amazed. Imaging is about to go 3D." Coca Cola and Kent are two brands that have already used the technology in POS campaigns. KBA Hall 16, stands B45, C45

Latest in lasers launch

ZED Instruments is to launch its next-generation laser ablation system, the ZEDLaserDirect, featuring higher powered lasers for increased productivity, improved ergonomics, ease of use and a smaller footprint.

The company claims direct laser ablation is the "only truly direct, one-step method of flexo plate and sleeve production, and the only method that eliminates the use of both film and solvents".

FlexoDirect, ZED's control system and software, will now use custom designed CalEditor to define calibration curves. Plate calibration is said to require less user input, is more user friendly, and allows the tracking of changes, preventing errors and facilitating repeatable plate making.

Aids to improve efficiency include automatic job start-up; prompts at job completion; the ability to process larger diameter cylinders or sleeves, allowing the completion of more production outside shift hours; and a modular low cost engraving sleeve system that enables users to match plate sizes to sleeve diameters.

Managing director Bruce Knox comments: "The launch of the ZEDLaserDirect comes at a time when many in the industry expect polymer plate manufacturers (some of whom are using our engravers and expertise to aid their development programmes) to launch a directly ablatable polymer plate for flexo". Hall 09, stand B77.

Joining JDF initiative

Four new partners have joined Networked Graphic Production to participate in the development of solutions that use the JDF file specification to automate production processes and connect with the other NGP Partners' solutions.

The latest partners are equipment vendor Ryobi; Press-sense, a developer of web based solutions for the printing industry; Nova-Vision Software Denmark, an MIS developer; and Objective Advantage, a specialist in JDF development platforms.

All 36 members of the partnership will be represented at drupa in the NGP Pavilion. It will provide a complete list of integration status, a map of where to see NGP Partner solutions working at the show, and five demonstration stations to allow visitors to see several JDF based, cross-vendor integrated solutions demonstrated. Hall 04, stand B22.

Flexo goes forward with F&K

Fischer & Krecke will exhibit the latest Flexpress 16S-10 CI flexo press for package printing. A number of new developments are featured in the machine, which will be demonstrated in full production mode twice daily, achieving speeds up to 600m/min.

Features include the patented Flexpress Autoclean with a simple inking system said to save makeready time through a significantly faster inking process. It is also claimed to be exceptionally easy to operate and "very service friendly".

F&K will also introduce Flexpress View, an internet based service and maintenance system which delivers faster problem solving through exceptionally high transfer rates. It also allows for remote programming of servo motors. A mobile camera can deliver images of all events inside the press to the service personnel in Bielefeld, or any given place in the world.

In co-operation with AVT, the company will debut an automatic management function which calibrates all print units simultaneously. It is claimed to reduce time and substrate needed for press makeready calibration drastically. It is also said to move all units towards the substrate in absolute parallel.

With a new UV print unit, F&K will demonstrate that the high printing speeds possible with CI technology can now be achieved with UV flexo printing. The design also allows the UV lamps/dryers to be pulled out to the side for easy cleaning and maintenance.

Visitors can also examine Flexpress Carbon, a patented innovation that allows printers to take full advantage of sleeve technology, especially those using large printing widths. Flexpress Carbon is the material technology that distinguishes the "extraordinarily lightweight" CFK intermediate mandrels said to allow for both excellent print quality and high production speed, even with printing widths of 2,500mm. Hall 15, stand A21.

Spanish showing

Spanish manufacturer of flexo presses Comexi will reveal its latest developments. The company's range includes CI presses with six, eight and 10 colours, in widths of 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160cm. Also offered are solvent and solventless laminators in widths of 100, 120, 140 and 160cm, as well as slitter rewinders in the same sizes. Hall 10, stand C62/C78.

Seven into six does go

MY PrinTech is promoting its FMsix technology applied to a number of packaging printing jobs on a Roland carton press. The process using the four CMYK colours and two of the three Fmsix inks (orange, green and blue) developed for PrinTech by Sun Chemical, "can in the right combination print any design in packaging used today," says sales and marketing manager Jan Goovaerts.

This means that special brand spot colours and designs can be used with just six stations where more would frequently be required. The process can also be used on composite sheets (for example, for several different versions of a branded product), bringing flexibility and time to market improvements, not to mention economies at the converter in terms of press time and warehousing, according to PrinTech. Other advantages claimed are increased detail and sharpness of the images, and no risk of moiré.

MY PrinTech was formed last year as a spin-off from MY Cartons BV, to commercialize its FMsix to printers worldwide "as a technology that improves the efficiency of six colour printing presses". One trial company is said to have reported a 70 per cent decrease in claims when using the technology developed in co-operation with MAN Roland, Creo, Sun and ArtWork Systems.

"It must not be confused with Hexachrome or any other six colour systems," says technical manager and inventor Martin Alderliefste. "They are a lot more complicated in prepress, since both images and line work are made up from six special – expensive – colours, and there is no way to optimize the colour of images. " In FMsix technology the only prepress changes are that the special colours used in the line work are changed into pre-set FMsix colour build-ups and the FMsix curve is added to the RIP at the plate developing stage.

Currently it is used in offset, but "we have just started to do tests in flexo, which will be available by the end of the year and we're also having conversations with digital press manufacturers," adds Jan Goovaerts. Print City is in Hall 06.

More UV for less cost

For sheet-fed systems up to 104cm wide, Nordson UV has introduced the QuadCure lamphead to run at 240W/cm. This is said to offer enhanced UV cure over traditional three-lamp systems, while reducing the system price and on-going running costs.

According to the company, it produces the same UV dose as a three-lamp system, while achieving higher intensity. The ink/coating sees more UV while it is still in a low viscosity state, allowing greater molecular mobility and the benefit of enhanced cure.

In addition to costing less, the user only needs to replace two lamps instead of three. Hall 03, stand B72.

Screen and offset combined

Werner Kammann's new K61-OS combined screen/offset roll-to-roll web printing machine will have its world premiere at the show.

The first screen print station is followed by four waterless offset stations with UV curing after each colour. The offset stations are fitted with fixed-format cylinders. All print image lengths are achieved with the same cylinder circumference. Each station is fitted with web length compensation to hold the repeat length independently of the actual print image length. The K61-OS can print images ranging in length from 7-14in.

The K61-OS is a modular system, allowing customers to tailor the machine configuration precisely to their requirements. Additional components such as further screen or offset print stations, hot foil stamping, laminating, lacquering, die cutting and rotogravure stations for printing metallic inks, can be added to suit requirements.

The K61-OS will print materials ranging from 0.025-0.5mm thick and web widths up to 355mm. Output for a 14in repeat length is between 30-35m/min. Hall 03, stand C16.

Variable data printing in one package

Drupa 2004 will provide the first major platform for Domino to present its ON Demand complete variable data printing solution. Based on drop-on-demand technology, it is claimed to combine all the essential elements of printer, ink and control systems in an easy to use package. In addition to providing better print quality and faster speed, it offers the use of corporate/spot and Pantone colours.

Domino's technology will also be represented on several OEM partner stands, including Sitma and Heidelberg. Hall 15, stand A42.

Narrow web combination press

Rotatek will exhibit a hybrid narrow web 'combi' rotary printing press for high quality label and packaging printing, and a slitter rewinder with a letterpress printing unit and various functions such as label inspection, rewinding or printing.

The new press combines offset, flexo and silkscreen printing with in-line converting and finishing processes, including die-less foil stamping or rotary die cutting. It is equipped with six print units: four offset, one for cold foil stamping and one flexo unit with UV curing, as well as a colour and register control system, and a special label delivery. Hall 11, stand D44.

Short wave infra red drying

The Solaronics IRT Converting Division has been created to offer non contact drying systems suitable for various materials to both OEMs and end users. It says shortwave infra red drying offers many benefits, drying coatings 'inside-out', giving high evaporating speed and high drying quality. Another claim is the outstanding flexibility and controllability of the drying power. The user can control drying in one or more zones of the web, leading to substantial savings of money and material, claims the company. Drying speed can sometimes be 10 times faster than air drying, it adds.

The systems are suitable for envelope glue drying; flexo printing of tissue napkins, envelopes, corrugated board and flexible packaging; wallpaper machines; glue laminators; barrier coating; siliconizing; warp control on corrugators; and offset printing. Hall 11, stand E04.

Gravure getting together

ERA, The European Rotogravure Association, will again share a stand with the Gravure Association of America to promote the gravure process and provide a meeting point for their member companies. Hall 05, stand B45.

Creo's collection

New from Creo is Synapse Director, a system that provides production management and connectivity between the new Brisque version 5.0 workflow solution and NGP systems. It is said to allow users to create, manage and automate their end-to-end print production workflow systems.

Two new software packages are claimed to allow "dramatic" reductions in the use of special inks in the pressroom. The Spotless 4 and Spotless X software enable printers to represent spot colours on press with process inks, making spot colour replacement easy and accurate. This is said to increase pressroom efficiency, and free designers from the constraints of using only a few spot colours in a particular job.

Creo has also partnered with Acigraf to introduce the Exactus thermal gravure cylinder preparation system – claimed to provide cost savings, superior imaging quality, improved process control, and enhanced throughput to packaging printers. It combines Creo's patented SQUAREspot thermal laser imaging heads and the electrolytic copper removal process developed by Acigraf.

The thermal gravure technology is said to image precisely and predictably, eliminating problems caused by the variable dot gain characteristics of different halftone line rulings and dot shapes. SQUAREspot is claimed to reduce the time it takes to image each cylinder significantly. Acigraf will exhibit the new process in Hall 09, on stand A55.

Creo will is exhibiting in Hall 04, on stand B10.

Scope extends end to end systems

Esko-Graphics is to demonstrate further developments in its workflow and CTP solutions.

These include Scope, its "complete, flexible, end-to-end solution". This workflow environment encompasses a special suite of pre-production software tools for the packaging market. Starting from an "all-inclusive vision" on the complete supply chain, Scope workflows integrate design with production, adding overall collaboration and project co-ordination. Detailed job specifications are defined at the start, and are carried throughout the entire process to reduce operator error.

Scope's workflow and asset management servers are fully JDF-enabled for flexible integration with other pre-production and business systems. Its configurations combine a number of software components according to the customer's application needs, including ArtiosCAD for structural design. Here Jan De Roeck, marketing director packaging software, believes the new ArtiosCAD 3D Designer will "revolutionize the packaging industry." It allows cartons and boxes to be designed based on a 3D imported CAD model of the product to be packed. It can show the product in the box with immediate 3D feedback and offers "improved communication with the brand owner". It "eliminates the complicated task of measuring and testing package concepts".

Innovations in flexo imaging include its updated Cyrel digital imager (CDI) plate setter. Added features include improved optics claimed to make it the industry's fastest flexo plate imager, and semi automatic plate loading and updated Grapholas flexo software.

Optics 80, an enhanced version of the CDI's optical technology, is capable of imaging 8m²/hour, keeping up to speed with plate processing equipment. The new CDI Advance semi automatic is delivered with a 'trolley' that contains 16 cassettes – each able to hold plates up to 50 x 80in. Grapholas flexo software has been enhanced to increase productivity.

The new PlatePatcher option automatically divides large format layouts into a number of smallest size plate patches, adding crossmarks and reference codes for later re-assembly. Groovy Screens, a new hybrid screening technology using traditional AM screening throughout most of an image, adds a line pattern (or 'grooves') into the shadow areas to improve colour saturation and solid rendering.

Esko-Graphics will also demonstrate new features for its Kongsberg digital converting machine. Hall 04, stand C40.

Hot from Hell

The world premiere of the HelioFlex F1200 flexo CTP imagesetter is promised by Hell. The F1200 was designed for imaging small and medium format flexo plates and sleeves. Its outstanding features are said to be simple handling, high imaging speed and low investment cost.

Hell will also use the new XtremeEngraving process to showcase high resolution engraving "at a previously unattainable speed". It is said to turn the engraving machine into a laser image- setter, so that ultra fine resolutions can now be combined with high ink application. Hall 17, stand C42.

Progress on plates

Jet Europe/Interflex is to unveil several new water washable and solvent based plates for flexo and UV flexo, letterpress and dry offset printing. They are said to offer excellent ink transfer, precise and homogeneous coverage, long lifespan and to ensure the highest quality reproduction.

Complementing the plate range, Rogers Corp will present its double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tapes, for "ultimate stability" in plate mounting, demounting and repositioning.

The Interflex IF 9/13 Wash is a plate washer that offers minimal processing times and an over 50 per cent cut in solvent consumption, thanks to its simplified, horizontal plate feeding system. This features an adhesive layer that carries the plates, upside-down, over the rotating brushes. Wash-out, flush and pre-drying processes are carried out automatically and in one operation.

The IF 8/10 COMBI is a space saving modular combination of an exposure, dryer and finisher. It comprises the IF 8/10C Expo, Dry and Finish units in one system.

The Jet Clean 800 is offered as a fast, automatic plate cleaning system. It flushes, brushes and dries the plates, "resulting in a perfectly clean surface". A 'sticky plate system' holds the plates firmly in place during washing and drying. Hall 09, stand E56.

In command of stamping

The FSA 1060 Foil Commander foil stamping and embossing machine will be launched by Gietz. This first 3B size platen press boasts a 350t stamping force at a relatively long dwell time that allows foil transfer at low temperatures. This suits the machine for flat foil stamping on heat sensitive substrates, as well as heavy combination foil stamping and embossing, blind embossing and texturing.

Until now, large foil reel diameters, long foil advances and high running speeds were considered incompatible. But Gietz says its Vacufoil foil transport system "increases the performance of flat-to-flat machines enormously". Hall 03, stand B53.

Seeking approval on-line

RealTime Image, KPG's latest acquisition, offers the commercial launch of its RealTimeProof 5.0 during the show. The company claims that the solution increases the ROI benefits of conducting the approval process online. The full version release will include a 'multiple-view' and 'compare' feature set, permitting simultaneous streaming, viewing, collaboration on, annotation and comparison of several file versions in high resolution; new secure approval authentication and 'lockout' features; and Macintosh Safari browser support.

The 'compare' function not only identifies and highlights version differences, explains the company, but also creates and streams the "difference" between the selected versions - on the fly - to the viewer.

As part of the anticipated acquisition of RealTimeImage's Graphic Arts division by KPG, RealTimeProof 5.0 will be demonstrated at the KPG stand.

Yehuda Messinger, executive vp, RealTimeImage Graphic Arts division, says: "The benefits of RealTimeProof 5.0 are even more critical for customers who conduct a multi stakeholder approval workflow, such as in the case of packaging print providers and consumer goods companies. Though our products effectively address the entire graphic arts market, significant portions of the RealTimeProof 5.0 specification came from these specific market segments, which have already shown tremendous adoption of our products throughout the years."

The new version gives production, creative, and management professionals the ability to examine and compare every segment of different file versions, down to the smallest pixel. Any number of people can work together, simultaneously, to view, annotate, and approve several images concurrently. A new 'double' approval authentication feature insures that only authorized participants can approve a file, thereby providing an overall increased level of security for on-line approval workflows. Hall 05, stand D24.

Another Ashe gem

Ashe Converting Equipment will debut the Sapphire S2 slitter, claimed to be faster, smaller, more powerful, and offer quicker set-up times.

With a maximum speed of 700m/min, the new machine incorporates a number of innovative features, such as 'shaftless female knife positioning', which allows repositioning of spacers and knives for shear slitting without the need to remove any shafts. It also offers closed loop tension control using custom tension sensing loadcells as standard, and is equipped with integral core alignment equipment for fast core positioning and slit width changes. Operation is by PC touchscreen control, and there is a remote touchscreen station on a flying lead for plugging into stations around the machine.

The S2 is available in a range of widths and diameters and includes a knuckle based lay-on system for more precise control.

Also new is a high speed inspection rewinder/editing machine available in web widths up to 410mm, with a speed of 220m/min. This machine is said to inspect 100 per cent of the finished roll in a fraction of the time and at lower costs than existing models. It is supplied with a dancer controlled unwind and rewind, edge guider, splice/editing table and PC screen control. Hall 12, stand A21.

POS in Scitex sights

Scitex Vision will focus on "industrial inkjet leadership, being a viable alternative solution to screen and offering high quality printing technology for corrugated packaging and display." Point of sale is now worth some $6.8 billion, which is a business well worth entering for corrugated converters.

The company's Corjet digital press, using Aprion technology, can handle media up to 3.2 x 1.6m and has a throughput of 150m²/hour (29 sheets/hour). New to the equipment to be shown is an automated loading and unloading device and an integrated dryer.

Stresses Itai Halevy, executive vice president and chief marketing officer: "Corjet offers a process that uses water based inks and is suitable for the food industry; fully automated digital workflow, oversized media capability and a fast and flexible job turnaround. There are no films, no plates and no storage space required." Hall 09, stand A04.

Carton production on show

In PrintCity, M-real's boards will feature in a live working factory producing printed cartons. The company will focus on carton technical expertise, industry networking and packaging boards. Visitors will be given a guided tour of the real-time working factory, where visitors can observe the entire workflow process end-to-end. Hall 08-1, stand C08, and Hall 06-6, PrintCity E09

Sack making and print

For the paper sack industry, Kochsiek will exhibit two new nozzle pasting systems for tubers and bottomers. It will also debut a rotogravure printing stand for décor printing.

For the model 61 tuber, the company will be showing a nozzle unit for paper/film and paper/paper sheet cross-pasting. For the model 66 bottomer there will be a valve patch unit with a nozzle pasting application system for PE/tube, and standard valves. Both feature a patented integrated cleaning system and allow for programmable pasting patterns, depending on tube layers, valve types, bottom geometry and cover patch configurations. They are programmed by touchscreen.

The absence of format dependent parts (rubber dots/clichés) is said to reduce change-over times. The machines are also equipped with closed, central adhesive systems suitable for starch and dispersion adhesives. The pasting systems are said to need less adhesive and guarantee – due to less water filling – reduced storage times of final products.

Kochsiek's new rotogravure print stand for décor printing features a high performance nozzle drying system whose guide rollers and nozzles are said to be easily accessible for cleaning. The nozzles can be removed to the side without using tools.

A new stable doctor blade group of 2,250mm width is claimed to allow production speeds of up to 600m/min. Blade positioning is motor driven and – depending on the print cylinder diameter – programmable. Data input and display are by touchscreen. Hall 15, stand A03.

Smart moves from Melzer

Melzer offers patented modules to form complete production lines for credit cards, chip cards, RFID cards (plastics or paper), ATB tickets and parking tickets. Camera inspection systems, hologram application machines, as well as testing and programming equipment are available as additions to the card lines.

The company will show the STL-L 400 line for production of smart labels, smart tickets/tags and - with additional equipment - smart luggage tags. The reel-fed M4-R digital production line performs wire embedding and cutting to produce smart CD labels. The sheet-fed M4-S line offers wire embedding, chip punching, pick and place, and connecting to produce RFID inlays. Hall 03, stand A16.