Omet launches XFlex X4 at Labelexpo

Omet launched the XFlex X4 flexo press at Labelexpo Europe, described as the ‘younger sister’ of the company’s XFlex machine and targeted specifically at short run work.

Built with inline modular elements on a base frame, the XFlex X4 has an intuitive interface and its extractable and interchangeable cassettes allow fast job changes. Its software allows the setting and storing of job parameters, including web tension, print repeat, anilox volumes and color sequences. 

XFlex X4 is flexible in its configurations: it can make combined prints such as UV flexo, water-based flexo, UV silkscreen, cold and hot foil and UV lamination. Its complete range of accessories allows the production of special products, such as booklet labels, and delivery can be roll-on-roll, roll to sheet, roll to blank and folded products. 

The UV lamps, located directly on the chilled impression cylinder, allow an extremely short web path – less than 1450 mm between two units – and assure a reduced level of waste in the start-up phase. 

X4 press is fitted with an automatic pre-register device, automatic into register with Vision-1 system. The company says that this is the first time that such automatic control has been integrated into a machine with printing cylinders, and means the XFlex X4 has the benefits of a servo machine for a reduced outlay. 

The print unit features an efficient inking system that is easy to load and replace on the press. The unit requires no adjustment to the doctor blade pressure, which has been optimized for tolerance in the pre-load stage. All the ink and print pressure adjustments are located on the operator’s side to make for ergonomic handling. This prevents the operator having to move from one side of the unit to the other. 

To reduce management waste, the unit can print using a low volume of ink: less than a glass is need to start up.The range of print formats is wide: from 5.5in to 24in. The smallest formats allow savings on the photopolymer costs, which are especially important on short runs.Print side phasing does not cause any side skid to the material, nor alteration of the longitudinal register. So, out-of-register waste, which is normally generated in this operation, is eliminated. 

Another feature is the print register precision. This has been obtained in different ways, starting with sophisticated tension control of the material and precision mechanics.  

The anilox roll has no gears, which reduces the weight and cost of tooling, and eliminates the risk of damage to the gear itself. 

The screen unit can be inserted into any of the print positions, in place of a flexo unit, and the press is characterized by the way its units are located on slide rails, for example cold foil, turn bars, printing on the adhesive, and lamination, all of which can be positioned in any print sequence. 

The converting section has been completely redesigned too: the die-cutters may automatically rise to disengage the drive. 

The longitudinal cutting unit is placed in a vertical position to allow ergonomic access for adjustment. 

The new waste removal unit with counter-roll is also available on this model. It improves performance in terms of speed and safety in even the most complex waste-removing operation, and brings an increase in productivity. 

The rewind units are also available in special versions with tension control suitable for thin plastic films, right up to 12-micron substrate. This allows the machine to run the most critical materials used in flexible packaging. 

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