VSOP – Variable-Size Offset Printing for Maximum Flexibility

Muller Martini claims its VSOP printing press is ideal for printing flexible packaging, labels, films and board.  Its new sleeve technology allows print sizes to be changed quickly and easily and is most cost-effective for print lengths that change frequently.
 
The plate and rubber blanket cylinders in the VSOP printing unit are lightweight and easy to handle, making changeover quick and offering infinitely variable print image lengths.  Job changes can be carried out in a matter of minutes without tools.  To maximize machine productivity, every print job can be prepared offline while the machine is running.  Automatic pre-adjustment enters the settings, which are stored in an integrated database for future use.
 
The machine’s inking system has tempered vibrator rollers enabling it to deliver the high quality printing and consistent color that is demanded by the package printing market.  Servo drive allows the speed of the impression, rubber blanket and printing plate cylinders to be adjusted individually, making even complex materials, such as aluminum, thin films, or very thick substrates like board, easy to print with accurate register.
 
The VSOP can be integrated with flexo, screen, gravure and digital print units, as well as foil stamping, laminating, punching and sheeting.  This makes it easy to configure for the specific requirements of customers.  When used for printing food packaging, electron beam or UV drying hardens the ink in an inert and therefore low-oxygen atmosphere, so odors are almost completely eliminated.
 
One major advantage of offset printing is the low cost of printing plates, compared with other processes.  A survey carried out by the independent institute Eurografica Systemplanungs GmbH across Europe, compared four Muller Martini flexo and gravure presses of various designs with Muller Martini hybrid offset presses, each enhanced with two flexo and two rotogravure printing units.  The results show that the dominant cost item in solely flexo and gravure presses is printing plate costs.
 
Testimony to its success is the fact that since launching in 2004, 80 VSOP presses have been installed, and ten users have invested in a second or third VSOP press.