First Gallus ICS 670 gravure press goes to A&R Carton

A&R Carton has installed a Gallus ICS 670 gravure press equipped with 11 print units, reverse-side printing, hot and cold foiling, screen printing, multiple embossing and blank separation unit, at its Augsburg plant in Germany.
 
According to Harald Schulz, CEO & president of A&R Packaging Group: ‘An investment of this magnitude is unique in the company’s history, and marks the starting point in a new era.  We will revolutionize the premium folding carton market, with all current finishing stages, including stamping, processed in-line in one pass.’
 
The new machine will more than fulfil the extremely high demands and complex requirements of this greatly changing market, according to Peter Misof, works manager at the Augsburg factory, who commented:  ‘It gives us the opportunity to reduce tool costs that have previously been very high.  This new technology will make gravure printing competitive against other processes, and be of higher quality.’
 
Gallus claims its advanced gravure technology make it suitable for short run work, something previously considered outside the scope of gravure presses.  The highlight of the new ICS 670 is its inline-coupled multi processing capability.  Called “Easy Value Add” (EVA), the platform offers various combinations for almost unlimited flexibility with minimal operator input.
 
 Each EVA platform can be equipped with screen or flexo printing heads, hologram application, inkjet coding, laminating, cold foiling, hot foiling, gloss, matt, barrier and special effects finishes, and security printing, as well as relief, micro and multiple embossing.
 
Another advantage of the new Gallus is the cost and time reduction its design offers for gravure cylinder production.  Normally five times the cost of offset plates, A&R is reporting near parity for the new gravure press.
 
The print cylinders are designed with RFID chips to store manufacturer data and machine parameters, which permits accurate job tracking, quick reaction times and easy repeat work.  The most decisive cost advantage is the short set-up times permitted by processes such as embossing and stamping being in-line, all of which are computer controlled for accuracy and fit.
 
In addition to the Augsburg factory, A&R Carton has 13 other production facilities in Europe, each specializing in market sectors.