Hammer Packaging to run second Drent Goebel VSOP Press

Hammer Packaging, based in Rochester, New York, USA, has installed its second Variable Sleeve Offset Press (VSOP) from Drent Goebel.

The new machine is the first installed VSOP press that gives the opportunity to cure with EB, (hot air curing) UV, or a combination of both. The VSFP (variable sleeve flexo printing) unit provides both possibilities of either hot air or UV curing. The unit is a high speed flexo printing group, specially designed for integration in a VSOP offset machine. It is suitable for both water based and UV inks. Depending on the type of ink, the web can be directed into a hot-air dryer and over the chill roller or directly over the chill roller with optional integrated UV lamps for curing. The web can be printed on the front side and optional on the back side.

Five years ago, Hammer Packaging successfully moved from cut & stack to roll-fed printing of a great variety of labels and shrink sleeves. In 2006, Drent Goebel installed the first VSOP 850 with a 33.5 inch wide web. As of January 2009, the company is the first to operate two VSOP 33.5 inch web offset presses.

Jim Hammer confirmed: ‘Both machines offer short make ready times, quick repeat size changes and low operational costs. The versatility of the machines is outlined by various curing principles (electron beam, hot air and UV), choices in paper and film, repeat lengths, varnishes and more. The Variable Sleeve Offset Printing technology from our business partner Drent Goebel helps us to both lower costs and increase the quality of our products. Our customers, companies like Coca Cola and Pepsi, are able to decrease their costs when they run rolls of labels and shrink sleeves on their own equipment.’

They are also able to speed up, Jim Hammer explains: ‘We want to do as much as we can in-line. The more we do in-line, the more freedom the designers get to create an attractive product.’

John Swain, principal of the design company Packaging Arts, agrees: 'Hammer was able to assist us in migrating our labels seamlessly from cut & stack to roll-fed by using their Drent Goebel press. We also benefited by changing our printing process to hex or expanded gamut. It is nice to have a partner who stays ahead of the technology curve.'

Jim Hammer compares efficiency of the airline industry with the printing business. ‘An airline company only makes money with their planes in the air. A plane on the ground costs money. With printing presses, there is no difference. When the print job is done, we do not want to waste time for make ready of the press for a new job. Grace to the VSOP technology, the press is “airborne” in a minimum of time.’

Pictured: Jim Hammer and Drent Goebel’s customer service engineer George Safrany

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