Mark Andy servo technology makes savings in Scandinavia

Ganket A/S, the Danish label converter, has recently upgraded its facility with the first Mark Andy servo driven XP5000 press to be installed in Europe.

Negotiating the sale on Mark Andy’s behalf, Peter Nobelius of Convertec AB commented: ‘We are delighted to continue our close association with this dynamic family business, which has become a showcase for Mark Andy technology in the heartland of a major competitor.’

Ganket owner Per Andersen explained his investment policy with Mark Andy:  ‘We knew we needed to move into servo technology for its added production capability, and the LP3000 proved a useful stepping stone to the XP5000.  Since many of the units are interchangeable between the two presses, our operators were able to familiarize themselves with the new technology in two easy stages.’

One major advantage of the new servo driven XP line is its ability to limit substrate waste between jobs, which as labels become more complex, and therefore expensive, places extra pressure on converters to become cost efficient.  Described by Mr Andersen as ‘the ideal tool for running new substrates at high speed’, the XP5000 at Ganket will concentrate on the production of coupon labels, where high accuracy is demanded for the ‘glue kill’ area as the web is delaminated, printed and then overlaid.

With its ability to preset many job parameters, such as inking and die cutting, the new Mark Andy XP5000 is already saving at least 50 per cent on set up times, according to Ganket, and considerable amounts of substrate waste.  Make ready on one job in particular has reduced from 5 hours to 90 minutes, while production speeds have increased as the operators gain confidence in the press’ ability to hold register.  One three-color label printed on PP regularly runs at 165 m/min, (and has run at 205 m/min).  More typically, Mr Andersen says that where the mechanically driven LP press would run a particularly complex job at 60 m/min, the servo driven XP raises output to 100 m/min.

With its additional capability, the XP5000 will offer Ganket access to new market areas, notably wraparounds for the PET bottles that are so popular now in the soft drinks and beer trade, and which typically use mealiest or transparent 35-micron PP or BOPP, printed off at 200 m/min.  The largest volume here is for mineral water, and environmental awareness in Scandinavia dictates a high degree of re-cyclability.

Other traditional markets served by Ganket include haircare and pharmaceuticals.  ‘As with all packaging markets the key is not how clever, but how clever in keeping prices down,’ said Mr Andersen. ‘By working closely with Convertec and Mark Andy we have been able to realize and sustain a programmed of investment in new technology that will allow our company to continue growing.’ 

(Photo: Ganket’s owner Per Andersen (left) and Convertec’s Peter Nobelius.)