Flexo Concepts partners with J. M. Heaford to open UK demo center

Flexo Concepts, manufacturers of MicroClean dry media anilox cleaning systems and TruPoint plastic and composite doctor blades, has teamed with J. M. Heaford to open a MicroClean demonstration center in Altrincham, UK. Printers from the UK and Europe are welcome to visit this location for a demonstration of the equipment or to have an anilox roll test-cleaned before purchasing a unit.

J. M. Heaford is a manufacturer of proofing and mounting equipment as well as a UK distributor of consumables including anilox sleeves, mounting tape, doctor blades and inks. In partnership with Flexo Concepts, the company has installed a fully-functional MicroClean model 72 in its headquarters outside Liverpool, England. The purpose of the unit is to demonstrate the technology's operation for printers who are considering investing in the equipment. Since being installed in November, 2007, it has been used to test clean gravure cylinders, narrow web rolls and wide web sleeved aniloxes.

Paul Reeve, sales manager at J. M. Heaford, a local MicroClean distributor, has seen a positive response to the dry media cleaning system in his market. ‘The majority of printers in the UK recognize the benefits of automated cleaning and are looking for something different.’ He cites the machine's effectiveness, per-roll cleaning cost, ability to safely clean anilox sleeves and ease of use as the primary reasons companies choose MicroClean: ‘Describing any piece of machinery can be difficult, and even with video clips and literature, some of the real perception of a machine and its performance can be lost. We feel that having the MicroClean machine onsite is the breakthrough we needed to increase customer awareness of what globally is already a very successful anilox roll cleaning system.’ He reports that the initial response to the unit has been positive and that customers have been impressed with the overall modern and clean design of the system as well as its performance, low noise level and tidiness.

Due to growing global concern surrounding carbon emissions and the industrial use of water, the MicroClean System has become popular in recent years with flexographic and offset printers looking for an eco-friendly method of cleaning anilox rolls, sleeves and other press parts.

According to Reeve, ‘The fact that this technology runs without using water or chemicals makes it very attractive. With disposal issues and VOC emissions becoming more of a factor in the decision, companies are turning to MicroClean for its environmental benefits. Many printers are going for ISO 14001 certification which is making them look more closely at their production methods. These companies see MicroClean as part of the solution to reduce chemicals and solvents in the workplace.’ In addition, MicroClean uses a dry plastic media which is recycled and reused throughout the cleaning process, and the spent media does not require special disposal.