Kingsway takes third Omega SRI from AB Graphic

The new model supplied is the latest specification in the SRI series from AB Graphic and includes 100 percent print face inspection camera and Omega Autoslit terminal for automatic positioning of the scissor slitting blades.

Omega Autoslit is designed to permit automatic positioning of the scissor slitting blades. Rather than having to manually adjust these, the system scans the web for the label gaps and automatically puts them all into the correct position. Alternatively the gap sizes can be entered into the computer to place the blades into position. This is ideal for butt cut labels that have no gaps.

Kingsway Printers was introduced to the new SRI during its launch at Labelexpo Europe 2013, and was impressed with the capabilities of the FleyeVision camera inspection system and new Autoslit terminal. Kingsway Printers specified a second web guide, FleyeVision camera inspection, auto cut, automatic slitting and bulk waste rewind with its Omega SRI.

Richard Pullan, Kingsway managing director, said: ‘Our usual method of inspection is stroboscope with visual inspection of the web. This limits our running speed and the operator has to rely on the printer flagging the web.

‘The FleyeVision camera system now allows us to confidently run at much higher speeds knowing that it will identify flags or print issues, stopping the web immediately. The sensitivity of the camera inspection can be adjusted so that the web does not continually stop due to very minor print issues. Since testing the camera we have found it to be very accurate and this has given our operators greater confidence. The camera system is particularly good for some of the long run length work we produce due to the increased speed that can be achieved.’

AB Graphic sales manager Mark Hyde said: ‘Since its launch last year, we have sold over 60 SRIs worldwide. The machine is purposely designed around camera inspection and when fitted with web guidance prior to the camera and servo driven waste nip, accurately places and removes faulty print. The new FleyeVision 5 camera system is also fully integrated to the operator touchscreen.’

Pullan added: ‘Since the installation, we have had a software upgrade which allows different slit widths to be entered. We print a lot of short-run digital work and previously, positioning the blades was very time consuming. The new system now reduces set up time significantly and is also very accurate.

‘The SRI has not only met our expectations, but will also improve our productivity. The technology will help us maintain our high quality standards and further reduce the chance of any unacceptable print leaving the factory. We currently have two Omega models from AB Graphic, and the changes and improvements versus the older models were immediately apparent.’