Labelexpo Americas 2014 exhibitor preview: N-P

Labels & Labeling previews exhibitors at Labelexpo Americas 2014, with those companies falling into the N-P alphabetical group detailed below.

Nuova Gidue M5, which will be seen at Labelexpo Americas 2014

NAStar | Newly Corporation | Nilpeter | Novation | Nuova Gidue | Omet | Pantec GS Systems | PC Industries | PCT Engineered Systems | Primera Technology | Propheteer | Polyonics | Precision AirConvey | Prototype & Productions Systems

NAStar

NAStar introduces two direct thermal products to its linerless temporary adhesive offerings. They are available with both full gum and pattern-coated adhesives.               

SWDTX: T2 Repositionable Adhesive and a printable food grade non-silicone release. The printable release allows the labels to be color-coded or printed flexo on both the face and adhesive side; SWDTZ: T1055 Temporary Adhesive and a traditional silicone release. T1055 is temporarily permanent and permanently removable from a wide range of surfaces.

Newly Corporation

Newly Corporation exhibits three new products: The Newly GCI gravure copper cylinder inspector ensures the copper coating is free from either pinholes or defects on the surface before engraving; The Newly-PMS label print inspector checks a wide range of print details including image patterns, letter shape and color versus the press proof document; The Newly-ST1 scanner is used to capture realistic 3D images of an object using progressive lighting technology.

Nilpeter

Nilpeter shows for the first time its new FP-4 flatbed module for hot foil and embossing inline production. The unit will be demonstrated on the FA-4 press at the show along with the QC-Die unit for fast job changeovers.

The FA-4* on the Nilpeter stand is a fully automated 8-color, 16” press. An 8-color job-change will be demonstrated, including change of die, leaving just 20-25 meters of waste. The press is built in one-frame-unit steel construction with seven HD servo motors per printing unit, four individual tension zones, auto-synchronised roller train, and fixed web path between the units.

The FA-4* has a web width of 420 mm (16.5 in), an extra short web path and a top speed of 175 m/min. (574 ft./min.).

Also on the Nilpeter stand is the ‘entry level’ FB-3 press designed for maximum efficiency in PS label production. The machine is an 8-color 13” press shown printing expanded gamut process colors. The FB-3 delivers a top speed of 228 m/min (750 ft/min) on webs up to 350 mm (13.75 in) wide.

Novation

Latest version of Novation ScrapTracker system is shown. The software creates a “roll map” associated with each roll of material manufactured, processed or printed.  The data file contains all the information about the locations and types of any defects within the roll, which are subsequently flagged.

If the downstream process is equipped with Novation’s RollCode system, the roll map data is used to automatically stop the machine at each flagged location. 

Nuova Guide

The company shows a 430mm M5 UV flexo press demonstrating all aspects of Nuova Gidue’s ‘Digital Flexo’ Excellence and Revo technologies, including ExcelPrint, ExcelDie and ExcelCut for the automatic non-stop exchange of print cylinders, magnetic and flexible dies. The company says waste and set-up time are significantly lower than those on digital presses.

The Revo project team behind the press consists of eight leading industry suppliers, with the aim of digitizing as far as possible the workflow from pre-press to print and converting, including printing as standard with a 7-color process set.

Omet

Omet Americas launches its new XFlex X4 in a 17in (440mm) width. XFlex X4 is Omet’s entry-level press and includes the company’s Vision register control system, twin servo-motors on each printing unit and label and film printing capabilities. The addition of the extended width to the XFlex X4 is targeted specifically at the American market, with a requirement to convert short and medium runs of labels to long runs of flexible packaging.

Also on the stand will be a 10-color XFlex X6 530 press demonstrating self-adhesive label printing for the wine and spirits sector alternating with shrink sleeve printing.

Omet Americas, Inc., moved last year to Illinois, forming a technical support center for North, Central and South American markets.

Pantec GS Systems

Seen for the first time in the US is Pantec GS Systems’ Swift inline hot foil saving and hologram stamping unit. Swift can achieve foil savings of 90 percent or more, depending on foil design, says Pantec. Swift is optimized for short setup time, as a great part of a job can be prepared off-line.

PC Industries

PC Industries introduces two new systems. The Guardian LSI is PC Industries’ entry-level 100 percent inspection system. Defects are displayed in real time, or reviewed through the Defect Queue, which allows the operator to review and accept or reject flagged labels without stopping the press. Job setup can be saved for later recall on repeat runs.

The Graphic-Vision GV530/Spectro provides all the functionality of the GV500 series web viewers with, now with color measurement and real-time reporting. Motorized traverse with programmed and combination positioning allows the operator to monitor the most important areas on the web.

PCT Engineered Systems

Label converters looking to expand into flexible packaging by adopting in-line lamination or clear coat overprint can now utilize electron beam (EB) technology to eliminate photoinitiator migration risk, following a new development by PCT Engineered Systems.  

By combining the compact footprint of a Comet sealed e-beam lamp with PCT’s patented Integrated Shield Roll, the unit extends the benefits of EB to narrow web printers, including stable web support, web temperature control, inerting volume minimization, easy access and a small footprint.

PCT says EB offers several advantages over UV. It needs no photoinitiator in printing inks, coatings or adhesives; more effectively penetrates opaque inks and substrates; requires less energy and delivers a much cooler curing process.

Primera Technology

Primera Technology shows for the first time the new LX2000 desktop color label printer, featuring large ink tanks for lower cost per label, pigmented ink to allow for more water and UV resistance, front color LCD control panel and wired/ethernet or wireless connection options. Other highlights include a viewing window for label stock levels, built in “pizza-wheel” cutter and print speeds of up to 6 ips.

Primera will also showcase the CX1200 digital press and FX1200 Digital Finishing System.

Propheteer

The new generation Propheteer Video Plate lll will be introduced.  Aided by a split screen magnified video alignment tool, (100X magnification) a single adjustment knob is now used to accurately align the plate to the cylinder, greatly reducing the time for this critical task.

Also on show is the ‘R’ series slitter rewinder, with a large viewing area and maximum speeds of 800 fpm.

Polyonics

Polyonics shows its new family of laser-markable label materials (LML), designed to withstand high temperature and harsh environments. These products are constructed from highly durable polyimide films that can be ablated with a wide variety of popular low power lasers.

Also on the stand is a range of PS materials for harsh environments including printed circuit boards, flame retardant materials, anti-static and labels capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.

Precision AirConvey

Precision AirConvey (PAC) demonstrates its latest oil mist system for the automated removal of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) label matrix waste, the EnviroPulse 14.

The matrix is first cut into small, confetti-like pieces that are whisked away to a waste-bin or baler. PAC's EnviroPulse 14 applies a micro-thin film of food-grade mineral oil to the internal surfaces of the path via a fine mist. This coating is critical for keeping the adhesive material from adhering to tubing or other system components, eliminating expensive system clogs. The EnviroPulse 14 uses a 100 psi atomizer at the infeed nozzle to produce such a fine mist that very little oil is required. The unit has a self-contained pump, so no compressed air is needed for its operation. 

Prototype & Productions Systems (PPSI)

New at the show is DICEweb, the second generation of PPSI’s DICE printers, an inkjet module which adds digital color printing to any flexo press. The DICEweb delivers fixed or variable graphics, text, and barcodes at speeds of 165ft/min (50m/min). By adding digital print to a flexo press, DICEweb can use the flexo stations to add primer, whites or lacquers; and it makes use of existing investments in inline tooling without the need to move work to a separate converting machine.

DICEweb incorporates an automatic printhead-cleaning station, recirculating ink supplies, and steel nozzle plates for reliability and easy maintenance. DICEweb is available in widths up to 20 inches (508mm) or more by special order, and with 4-6 colors.