Labelexpo Europe 2013 exhibitor preview: Printing presses

Labels & Labeling previews new products and companies in the conventional printing segment that will be on show at Labelexpo Europe 2013:

The Omet XFlex X6 press line combining sleeve offset and flexo units, available in widths up to 670mm
Berkeley Machinery & Polygraphica

To promote: the Apollo series of stack flexo presses for label applications; the in-line Comet for labels, special packaging materials and folding box cartons; and the custom-built Autoflex press line. Pre-owned equipment specialist Polygraphica represents Berkeley for its new product range.

cab

To present the new A4+ T textile label printer with print speed of 30-125mm/sec and center-aligned feeding of the textile ribbon. Print width is 10-110mm and resolution 300dpi. Two anti-static brushes ensure a clear and trouble-free separation of the material after cutting. The A4+ T is supplied with cablabel management software, allowing stand-alone operation outside a network. Also promotes HS and VS series label dispensers.

Codimag

Exhibits a six-color Viva 340 Aniflo press, including hot-foil and flexo varnish. Also demonstrates a UV LED screen unit developed in association with IST. A range of customer-submitted jobs will be run and print runs through the day will be monitored by a Thetis MIS system.

DG press Machines

World premiere of a printing deck from the variable sleeve offset Thallo press.

Edale

Will be running its FL-3 UV flexo press fitted with a turn bar and cold-foil unit, demonstrating short set-up times with less than 20m of waste and running up to 200m/min. Also shows the new Digicon 3000 converting unit, jointly developed with AB Graphic, on the HP stand.

Etirama

The Brazilian press manufacturer launches a modular flexo press with a 350mm web width. The ES 3500 is described by the company as having “European DNA” thanks to Etirama’s many years of partnership with Netherlands-based press manufacturer MPS, and is said to be specifically targeted at international markets, particularly Europe. As well as self-adhesive labels, films and shrink sleeves can also be produced by the press. The ES 3500, which runs at 150m/min, is fitted with a variety of components from European suppliers, including register control from a German company and an operating system and UV curing from Italian partners. The press has a small footprint of just 6.9m. Materials travel just 8.2m from the first to the sixth printing unit, reinforcing – says the company – the idea of short web.

Focus Label Machinery

Launches the e-Flex twin servo flexo press with interchangeable print platforms, enabling easy integration of alternative print heads – including digital inkjet. Also shows for the first time at Labelexpo the d-Flex hybrid inkjet/flexo incorporating four-color IIJ inkjet module.

Gallus

The Gallus Print Shop aims to show how digital and conventional printing technologies can be combined to produce labels more cost-efficiently and with time-savings. The Gallus Print Shop will include the all new Gallus ECS 340 with the Plus update package, the Heidelberg Linoprint L digital drop-on-demand system with the Gallus ECS C digital finishing system and the Gallus EM 430 S with its short web path, which can be connected and controlled by a central MIS system. Together with its industry partner Siegwerk, Gallus will be exhibiting the Gallus EM 280 with full LED UV curing system and printing live the latest UV LED ink from Siegwerk. Gallus will also be showing a wide range of Gallus Screeny Genuine printing plates for rotary screen printing.

Goss

Introduces the Goss Sunday Vpak web offset presses for label, folding carton, flexible packaging and pre-print applications. Quick change sleeves allow infinitely variable repeat settings while force-loaded cylinders accommodate a wide range of substrates and calipers. Includes options for integrating a wide range of printing and finishing stations, including flexo, gravure, screen and digital to form a hybrid production line.

KPG

New versions of the Euroflex packaging press range will be launched configured with hot air drying and IR systems. Manufactured to meet ATEX approved standards, the new presses are suitable for use with solvent-, alcohol- and water-based inks. An interchangeable slide-in cartridge system makes it possible to change between systems in 30 minutes. KPG has also extended the web widths of the Euroflex range to include a 520mm version, available as both single and twin drum versions for eight-color front and back printing.

Mark Andy

Demonstrates a Performance Series P3 press fitted out with Mark Andy ProLED curing system running Flint LED tuned inks, and a Performance Series P5 incorporating Quick Change Die-Cut (QCDC) technology.

Mimaki

Four large format printers are shown: CJV30 Series with integrated cutting printing at up to 17.5 sq m per hour. Continuous crop mark detection delivers accurate contour cutting for complex label layouts. The UJF6042 A2 Format UV LED flatbed printer images to 1800 x 1800dpi with options including white ink, clear varnish and inkjet primer. The J400SUV Series combines flexibility of solvent printing with the durability of UV cured inks, resulting in a high level of resistance to scratching and weathering. The JV400LX Series is claimed to use the world’s first water-based white latex ink.

MPS

Launches three press lines. The new EF multi-substrate press is offered with varying degrees of automation; after the EF standard model, the EF-APC includes automation on the print sleeve settings, while the EF-APC Advanced – on display at Labelexpo – includes full recall of material calibration and positional print settings for the sleeve and anilox. Also on the stand, the variable sleeve EXL-Offset press includes APC automated Inking and press settings with job and material recall. The new entry level EB label press is available with a print width of 370mm (14in). MPS additionally demonstrates UV LED curing and a data control system allowing jobs to be tracked back with all parameters including ink and material used.

Muller Martini

Showcases options for variable size web offset printing (VSOP) and the Alprinta V printing presses.

Multitec

Showcases the Ecoflex VSi press, configured with large diameter chill drum impression rolls with UV curing systems mounted on the chill roll for unsupported film printing. It has a movable cold-foil, turnbar and newly developed delam-relam system on rails. New die-cutting unit is capable of cutting odd shapes and rewinding complex waste patterns at high speeds.

Nilpeter

Announces European launch of two flexo presses, and shows important new in-line processing modules: the FP-4 flatbed hot-foil and embossing system, and the G-4 in-line gravure unit for printing metallic inks and other coatings. The Nilpeter FB-3 flexo press delivers a top speed of 228m/min (750ft/min) on webs up to 350mm (13.75in) wide. Each print unit includes five servo motors, with a dual axis servo transport system. Standard equipment includes Nilpeter's Press Management Center (PMC), Air Control Satellite (ACS) for wireless press operation, and Automatic Plate Positioning Systems (APPS). The press runs with either hot air dryers or inter-deck UV curing lamp units and freely positioned rotary UV screen and hot- and cold-foil units are available. The FB-3 includes Nilpeter's Cleaninking system for water-based or UV cured flexo inks and Revolver fast change die-cutting system. The sleeve-based FA-4, targeted at high-end labels, short runs and variable repeat flexible packaging, has a web width of 420mm (16.5in) and top speed of 175m/min (574ft/min). Standard equipment includes PMC and ACS and a new print-to-cylinder (P2C) register system, as well as Cleaninking, the press’ quick change magnetic die module was developed with Kocher + Beck. It allows fast release of flexible dies, off-press die preparation and easy load tooling.

Nuova Gidue

Demonstrates next-generation Digital Flexo technology, including closed-loop automation of all press operations including pressure adjustment. New press lines to be shown include the entry-level MX2 and the M1 label press optimized for fast set-up and with integrated screen and hot stamping stations. The M3 Digital Flexo (DF) press will be shown printing flexible packaging in the Package Printing Workshops in hall 12. The top range M5 Excellence press will also be shown.

Omet

Shows for the first time an XFlex X6 press line combining sleeve offset and flexo units, available in widths up to 670mm. Omet also announces the availability of Varyflex presses in larger widths, up to 850mm, where it will compete directly with CI-type large format package printing presses.

Orthotec

Shows its latest CFT3536 offset intermittent label press, incorporating chiller oil circulation to give a consistent ink viscosity and four-section inking system with fast transfer bridge roller. A second pass scanner is incorporated along with automatic pre-registration of each station and touchscreen registration adjustment.

Rotatek

The Brava 330 semi-rotary press receives its world premiere, offering the same facilities as the full Brava press line, but in a dedicated semi-rotary machine format. Also launched is the Brava 420 semi- and full-rotary offset press, now with a 400mm print format, a new embossing system with gap master regulation and in-line UV screen. Finally, the company launches its new servo-driven 330mm wide flexo press.

Read the full Labelexpo Europe 2013 show preview in Labels & Labeling #4, 2013

See the full exhibitor list here