Focus launches UV central impression press

Earlier this year, Focus Label Machinery launched its first fully UV central impression press.

The press is designed to compete in the growing markets for unsupported flexible packaging and the niche market for printed casings. Artificial casings are used widely used for packaging of meats, sausages and cheeses. Focus is already well-established in both markets, with its Centraflex press, but until recently has concentrated on presses for use with water-based and solvent-based inks. These growing markets are now seeing an increased demand for the high quality print and consistency provided by UV inks, says the company.  

In order to stabilize the substrate temperature while subjected to the heat of the UV dryers, the new press incorporates a water-cooled central impression (CI) drum, using chilled water, together with GEW’s VCP air-cooled UV drying system fitted after each print station.   

The drum diameter has been increased to allow extra space for the drying system and to give good access to all seven print stations. For casings, the optional turnbar system enables the substrate to be printed on both sides simultaneously, allowing up to six colors to be printed in register front and back. Also, an optional scraper blade system can be installed to remove any excess ink when casings are printed right up to the edge, without creating a build up of ink on the CI drum. 

Like the UV, all print stations are cassette-based, with an optional enclosed ink duct system and newly designed impression slides. Print cylinders and anilox rolls for the standard Centraflex 250 press can also be used on the new UV press, ensuring retrospective compatibility. For those companies who also intend to use the press for label printing, the converting section of the press remains unchanged and will accept existing rotary tooling from the standard Centraflex 250. 

A large capacity external unwind stand provides space for optional corona treatment and web-cleaning systems. It is also be possible to install a second unwind and rewind, so that two narrow webs can be printed simultaneously. 

Focus director David Lee commented: ‘We have studied what is currently available in the market and working from experience, we know that the new Centraflex offers a better solution. The new press is not simply an upgrade: it is a totally new design, with the integration of a chilled CI drum and new drive technology.’  

Focus will be inviting interested converters for demonstrations of the new UV Centraflex at its UK showroom from September 2010 onwards.  

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