Serbian success for W&H

Having invested in the latest printing press technology from Windmöller & Hölscher for the first time five years ago, with its installation of a Novoflex CI flexo press, Belgrade based Beograf-Bukulja has recently added Heliostar GE rotogravure equipment, as well as a Varex blown film line to its equipment armoury.

The growing domestic demand for both quality gravure printing and high quality films, as well as “the favourable experience the company has gathered with the flexo press” prompted Milanko Pantovi, owner of the Serbian company, to return to W&H technology.

It was important for the performance range of the 10 colour press to encompass among other things the printing of demanding packaging material for such products as coffee. To meet the specific requirements associated with these applications, the machine is equipped with print stations for pre- and post-varnishing and for the application of coldseal lacquers. Special equipment allows for printing on light gauge polyethylene films down to 25 micron. The Varex three-layer blown film line will predominantly be used for the extrusion of laminating and stretch film, as well as film for automatic packaging applications. For further conversion of the film, the company uses its own laminating machines.

Asked about the reasons for his purchase decision, Milanko Pantovi_ says: “In addition to the latest engineering technology, it was the plus package we would get from W&H, comprising an effective service and competent advice, that made me go again for their systems.”

At the recent W&H open house, the company presented a new Heliostar GS gravure station designed to allow for both shafted cylinders as well as gravure sleeves. Featuring an established gravure sleeve system, the printing unit gave visitors the opportunity to see for themselves how simple it is to change the sleeves on the machine, while at the same time giving them an idea of how sleeves and shafted cylinders can be efficiently combined. The advantage of the new system, says the company, is that it allows for the use of on-hand gravure cylinders, while gradually changing to the use of sleeve technology. It is “the ideal gravure press for launching into gravure cylinder sleeve technology,” claims the company.