New digital coating technology from PAT

PAT Technology Systems Inc. (PAT) is launching Rotoworx, a true digital UV coating system capable of variable coating and variable data at Labelexpo Americas 2006 on Sept.11-14. The coating system is integrated onto PAT’s own offline semi-rotary, die-cut and converting machine, featuring an electronic re-registration which promises spot on coating and cutting.

Traditional Digital Coaters use rollers and plates to apply coating to digital print. Rotoworx redefines what a digital coater is. ‘It performs flood /spot coating, textures, variable gloss levels with a single fluid and special effects without the need for plates and requires only a digital file,’ PAT’s head of product development, Jamie Koehler said. ‘We’re doing what no one else has done – we’re bringing variable data into the coating world.’

Digital print producers are eager to adopt the paradigm shift. During development of Rotoworx, a number of printers were invited to PAT Technology System’s head office in Montreal Canada to preview the technology. Among them was Imprimerie St-Julie Inc. Their plant is equipped with three HP Indigo digital presses and is one of North America’s largest digital print producers. ‘This technology can save time, money and add value to the print jobs,’ Jean Maurice Fournier, the president of the company, said. ‘My customers and I can finally maximize the advantages of digital printing by using this piece of equipment.’

Furthermore, true digital coating gives graphic artists a new creative tool. Images, textures and special effects that were neither possible nor cost effective with traditional technologies are now made accessible. The coating effects generated by proprietary software and piezo technology can be used as a print enhancement or can even be used on their own. ‘It brings a new dimension to graphic design,’ said Simon Dumais, Imp. St Julie’s graphic designer. 

PAT has selected Labelexpo Americas as the premiere show to introduce their new technology because of Labelexpo’s significance within the label Industry. ‘It is an effective strategy to launch the Rotoworx at this show because its attendance is made up of qualified printers and respected industry experts who strive to achieve excellence,’ Wayne Baird, the president of PAT, said. ‘It’s the ideal place to show the world what True Digital Coating can do.’