manroland web systems launches Varioman

manroland web systems has launched Varioman, a newly designed offset-gravure hybrid press series for package printing.

Varioman presses are manufactured in Augsburg, Germany

Varioman f:line uses variable sleeve offset printing units that can be individually designed for printing films and combined with several other components. Combined with corona treatment, EB- or UV drying, and gravure printing units with dryers means different films can be printed in high quality and variability, according to manroland web systems. Printable substrates include films or paper from 10-300 micron. The range includes options for different web widths and a production speed of up to 400 m/min.

Integrated presetting and control systems from manroland web systems are intended to reduce waste, while, when compared to flexo, digital or gravure printing solutions, manroland web systems said offset technology reproduces a high printing quality with a huge benefit in cost-per-copy – up to 25 percent versus gravure due to using offset printing plates instead of gravure cylinders, and a significantly faster job change.

A quick finishing is enabled by a long-lasting drying of the offset ink. Electron Beam Systems help to make photo initiators, as used for UV-color, redundant. Thus, the printing press can be additionally equipped with UV-drying.

The forthcoming Varioman c:line will handle carton printing, with printing units specially designed for cartons and optimized for substrates up to 250-700 micron. In-line finishing will be enabled by optional punching units and sheeters. Further system configurations for additional application fields are possible.

‘With the Varioman, we want to provide a new production system to our customers – at the first configuration level for flexible packaging printing,’ explained Alexander Wassermann, managing director of manroland web systems. ‘The market asks for press systems that meet the demands for brand differentiation, enhanced comfort and additional packaging sizes. Therefore, we have developed the Varioman.’

The first system of this new generation will start production for an international packaging printer at the beginning of 2018.