Finishing line

James Quirk and Danielle Jerschefske review finishing and converting systems shown at Labelexpo

AB Graphic International demonstrated the Sabre Extreme laser finishing line in the Laser Die Cutting workshop. In the HP Indigo booth it demonstrated digital print finishing with its Digicon Series II equipped with an all-new automatic die loading system and underscoring system all controlled through the operator's control screen. At its own booth attendees saw a new Omega flatbed die cutting line designed for folding carton finishing with the capability to imprint for Braille. Also seen was an Omega HSR1700 inspection slitter featuring a 'fast' automatic slitting terminal with servo driven pre-positioning, and an Omega HSR1700 slitter rewinder made especially for films finishing.

Ashe Converting displayed the OETR16, a new entry level motor driven three spindle inline turret rewinder. The system uses hot melt gluing technology to apply the material lanes to cores as well as closing the tails of the completed reels to be automatically offloaded out of the machine for packing. There are direct motor drives to each of the three rewind positions. The OETR16 was set-up with an Opal 16” wide slitter rewinder.

AzTech Converting promoted its ISR Series of slitter, rewind and inspection equipment with a Label Vision Systems LVS 7000 Print Quality Inspection System. Speeds are up to 800 fpm, and the system features adjustable electronic web tension control, reversible rewind for over or under winding, and interchangeable slitting station module with choice of rotary shear or razor (pneumatic crush extra), and ultrasonic web guide for processing both clear and opaque substrates.

Catbridge introduced the Model 900 duplex center winder for 32" rewind diameters and the Model 901-40 cantilevered duplex winder for 40" rewind diameters, featuring a patented dual tray roll discharge system. The Model 140-45, a high-speed salvage winder for 45" diameter rolls, provides splice, inspection and slitting capabilities as well as easy roll loading and unloading.

CTC promoted its new cantilevered, compact Power Butt Splicer with built-in roll loading and demonstrated the Value turret rewinder at the Super Web booth.

Delta Industrial brought four pieces of machinery to this year's Labelexpo show. At its booth the Delta Spectrum converting machines could be seen die cutting digitally printed labels. The systems featured over and under laminating, tight tolerance rotary and semi-rotary die cutting and in-line perforation and sheeting. The company participated in the Laser Die Cutting Workshop featuring its Delta Edge laser technology and finished labels with another Spectrum system on the Xeikon booth.

The custom converting machinery provider revealed its new Delta Crusader Plus at 18-24” wide in a move to support the growing mid web printed packaging sector. The system was designed to provide a full modular platform for the manufacturing and finishing of wider webs and larger parts.

Karlville showed its K3 Seaming Machine for shrink converting at high speeds, upgraded with a web width measuring system from Webcontrol, a UV Seam Detector, and an automatic EFD Positioning System. In cooperation with HP Indigo, Karlville demonstrated its entry level K1 Seaming Machine and the Steambox Pro which allows for shrink sleeve application for prototyping.

Keene featured its new Modular Converting Systems line, with options including full rotary and semi rotary die-cutting, flexographic print/coating stations, laminating stations, hot foil/cold foil, inkjet print, folding carton die-cut, pharmaceutical inspection and error detection. KTI offers this equipment in web widths of 10” – 32”.

For the first time in North America Kocher + Beck showed its new UR Precision servo-driven unwind and rewind splicing equipment. Fully wound rolls are pneumatially loaded onto a movable roll lifting cart. An optional web guide can be included. The company adds that an operator selectable lay-on-roller combined with a fully adjustable taper tension control permits a high degree of winding quality.

Italy-based LabelTech partnerd with US inspection provider PC Industries to show a LabelTech IT350 rewinder at its booth equipped with a Guardian PQV 100 percent inspection system. LabelTech and PC Industries will support both North America and Europe by keeping each others’ spare parts in stock to reduce shipping time and costs and avoid customs delays.

Martin Automatic displayed the latest version of its MBS butt splicer, which comes standard with a package of features including ultrasonic sidelay sensors and spiral grooved rollers for unwinding and splicing filmic substrates. In addition, the MBS now features a touchscreen control system for easier operation and expanded diagnostics.

The company also demonstrated an upgraded LRD rewinder, now accommodating 800 mm diameter rolls in the standard model, with larger diameter models available. Enhancements to the in-line slitter package enable quicker set-up, fine-tuning and change-over between jobs. The LRD discharges finished rolls automatically, either by the standard doffing ramp, or onto an optional articulating arm through the front of the unit, if the product rolls require special handling. And, the LRD can slit and wind multiple ribbons on-press.

Preco is a provider of processing systems and services for the packaging industry, including rotary die cutting systems and laser processing systems. It promoted its AcuBreathe laser system for micro-perforating a range of materials, which it says allows for perforation rates three times faster than ‘industry standards’. For PS label converting it promoted its rotary converting platform series that can be customized with a laser die cutting system with tolerances of ±.051mm.

Prati demonstrated a complete workflow for booklet labels production with the VEGAplus Booklet and the Saturn Booklet. The VEGAplus LF 330 Booklet is designed for off-line production of booklet labels running up to 75 m/min at a width of up to 330mm. It can apply a booklet label on the base label with accurate registration. It is ideally suited to pharmaceutical and agro-chemical sectors as well as the food industry where this type of label is perfect for promotional content on packaging. It runs unsupported and self-adhesive labels – standard, coupon, flat, curved, and thick booklet – regardless of the diameter.

The new Saturn Booklet inspection machine is optimized for the finishing of coupon and booklet labels with slitting, rewinding and full inspection using a Nikka camera.

Schobertechnologies featured its in-mold label converting technology, with an RSM-IML/MX rotary die-cutting machine on demonstration. The RSM-IML/MX is designed for short to medium runs and is available in widths of 260 mm, 330 mm and 410 mm. The MX model features many of the technologies integrated into Schober’s high capacity models, such as heavy duty rotary die-cutting station, automated web guide, continuously monitored registration, vacuum controlled product flow, static neutralizer  'M'-stack delivery and 'S' stack delivery. Optional equipment includes an adjustable de-nesting station for multiple products across, an antistatic device and a gap control system (GCS) for precise wear compensation of the die. The company also highlighted its heavy duty rotary die-cutting module with a width up to 1,000 mm for production speeds of up to 300 m/min, which can be integrated into conventional or servo-driven press lines. The unit can handle 25 micron liners on PS materials.

For the first time in North America, Smag introduced its Digital Galaxie SGV, a finishing line consisting of unwinder, semi-rotary UV flexo unit and flatbed screen station running at 30m/min with semi-rotary die cutting. Also new for the US is the E-Cut S 330 unit including unwinder, UV flexo station and semi-rotary die-cutting and converting.

Spartanics participated in the Laser Die Cutting workshop with its L350 Laser Cutting System, featuring proprietary XY registration capabilities, single source 400W laser, high-speed capabilities up to 100m per minute and converting options. The X140 Laser Station could be seen finishing labels printed on the NW140 UV Ink Jet Printer at the INX International booth. At the Spartanics booth the L210 Narrow Web Laser Cutting System with barcode reading capabilities demonstrated the opportunity for rapid changeover. 

Global expertise

Labelexpo Americas is unique among global Labelexpo events in having a packed conference session. A particularly interesting one featured some of the world’s leading label converters in a session chaired by industry guru Mike Fairley.

ETI pushes the envelope

ETI launched two technologies new to Labelexpo Americas – Miniliner and Linerless.

The Miniliner system enables converters to manufacture a pressure sensitive label from raw material to the finished product on a 12 micron (.48 mil) PET release liner using conventional die cutting.

Produced on its Cohesio machine, ETI says Miniliner reduces by around two thirds the amount of PET film used in a laminate construction. Converters can use existing tooling to die-cut the label during the Miniliner manufacturing process.

The company was also promoting its Linerless technology. ETI’s in-line die cutting labeling systems are retrofitted to existing labeling equipment, allowing converters to print linerless labels in any shape or size and without requiring micro-perforation.

Other advantages of linerless labels produced on the Cohesio include the ability to print on the front and back sides.

This article was published in Labels & Labeling issue 6, 2012