IPT digital converts Mark Andy 2200 into hybrid digital/flexo press

IPT digital has successfully completed the upgrade of its first Mark Andy 2200 into a hybrid digital/flexo platform.

IPT digital has added Mark Andy to the list of press manufacturer's whose equipment it has converted into a hybrid platform

This saw the JFlex870 digital conversion system integrated with the Mark Andy flexo press over a period of 1.5 days. A further 3.5 days were required for training, maintenance and rip operation.

Due to the universal mounting platform, the only modification required was an adjustment to the Mark Andy press’s mounting brackets. This significantly reduced engineering time and costs to the customer who was quickly up and running labels on a newly-transformed hybrid digital/flexo machine.

The JFlex870 is a high speed 225/ft min, high resolution 1,600 x 1,375dpi digital inkjet system that mounts onto an existing press platform and requires no direct electrical connection. An encoder reads the speed of the press and a gap sensor, after the die-cutting station, ensures print-to-die register. The system comes standard with a computer cabinet to house all computer and data flow aspects and the only requirement is to allow the JFlex system access to a customers' network to download print files.

Engineered and manufactured by RDP Marathon of Montreal, the JFlex system on the Mark Andy 2200 also features the latest firmware allowing for installation of a new totally integrated variable data package. The Variegator VDP provides support for over 40 barcodes including 2D barcodes, imports data from industry standard CSV format and includes auto number features.

IPT digital has already completed multiple installations of its JFlex870 digital conversion system on other types of presses, including Aquaflex, Comco and Nilpeter machines.

Peter Kuschnitzky, president of IPT digital, said: ‘From the beginning, our vision was to design a universal mounting platform so we could install the JFlex digital ink jet system on all sorts of different lines of presses.

‘The addition of the Mark Andy line to our list of installed machines confirms this innovative and cost-effective concept.’