Amherst Label invests in Cron-ECRM HDI Flexo

New Hampshire, US-based Amherst Label has invested in a Cron-ECRM HDI Flexo CtP system, which replaces an older piece of equipment that was nearing the end of its useful life.

Amherst Label sought a computer-to-plate system that could handle flexo plates as well as the film output needed for its screen printing business

Amherst Label is a manufacturer of custom labels, decals, tags and flexible packaging, and offers product labeling for commercial printers, industrial and houseware applications, specialty foods and beverages, personal care and nutraceuticals. It is a member of FLAG (Flexo Label Advantage Group) and TLMI (Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute), previously winning the TLMI Innovator Award, TLMI Eugene Singer Award and earning TLMI LIFE certification.

Amherst Label sought a computer-to-plate system that could handle flexo plates as well as the film output needed for its screen printing business. It required the efficiency of imaging plates and film in the same system, without the fixer and developer chemicals required for processing films.

Scott Vander-Heyden, vice president of manufacturing at Amherst Label, said: ‘We have yet to receive the letter stating we are in the last year of parts and service available for the old equipment, but we know it is coming soon. We’ve experienced increasing costs every year to maintain the current imager and have incurred hours of down time due to maintenance issues.

‘Eliminating chemicals from our daily footprint is one of our goals. We are LIFE certified and always looking for ways to reduce our VOCs thus creating a safer environment.

‘We were successfully achieving our LIFE goals with our previous CtP system. However, after about 4-5 months, we started having trouble with removing the debris. A service call would be required to get us up and running. That would last for a little while but then the problems would crop up again. The old equipment just couldn’t handle outputting to both materials. With the improved vacuum system the Cron-ECRM unit has, we believe this will not be an issue.’

Previously, Amherst Label could image up to 2540 DPI but can now image at 5080 DPI with the HDI Flexo CtP system and can option up to 9600 DPI. The result, noted Vander-Heyden, is much better quality in highlights and gradients, which is especially important in label applications, where customers expect smooth, perfect transitions every time. ‘We have always taken pride in our ability to produce a high-quality product,” he said, but this is going to improve it even further.’

Marshall Hogenson, director of flexo sales at Cron-ECRM, said: ‘Amherst Label is a fantastic company and we are proud they put their trust with us.

‘We are pleased that we can be there for this progressive, family-owned business as it continues to evolve and expand their offerings. We believe the HDI Flexo CtP system is the best of its kind in the market today, and with customers like Amherst Label, we are proving that we have something to offer that no one else can match – the best quality, with the best service, and the best overall total cost of ownership.’