Soma launches automation system

Soma Engineering has developed a new system to automate impression and register settings. Falcon II is the second generation of automation technology from Soma and consists of two processes, designated Automatic Impression Setting and Smart Register system by BST International. The Automatic Impression Setting program sets the printing pressure at the start of a job without the need for dedicated print marks. 

The system is said to reduce waste at start-up by as much as 70 percent and to reduce make-ready times by up to 50 percent. ‘Impression and register for a 10 color job on average can waste between 150-180m of material substrate,' said the company. ‘Falcon II reduces waste down to a standard 45m.’

‘Print runs are becoming smaller and turn-around cycles shorter so make-ready times must be minimized in order to produce jobs efficiently and gain a competitive edge,’ said brand manager Pavla Kusa. ‘Falcon II is the next step towards our goal of fully automating and speeding up the make-ready process. Environmental issues are also an important consideration. Falcon II is an example of our efforts to provide solutions for the development, production, and utilization of presses to limit the depletion of resources while reducing emissions, and waste. Falcon II increases press utilization because job setting is the same for short and long print runs.’ 

Impression setting is achieved without actually printing, giving zero material waste. The system works by scanning the kiss impression between the printing material and the plates, as well as between the plates and anilox roller, at full material width. Intelligent PS Plate Safe software protects the printing plates from being damaged or squeezed beyond kiss impression. Manual adjustments by the operator are also possible. 

‘The BST Smart Register system is well proven software to assist the operator to set accurate registration points,’ explained Kusa. ‘The operator starts the press and stops the machine to check registration after a complete image is printed. The settings are then adjusted with the assistance of intelligent software by matching the individual printing points, color after color to the registration mark parameters. Intelligent software and servo assisted drives then automatically move the printing sleeves to the correct position according to the pre-set values. This means the operator can accurately set the register for every printing deck resulting in less waste, faster make ready, increased available press time and improved print quality. Falcon II is a modular system that can be applied to any Soma press with any repeat range and can also be retro fitted to existing machines. The system has been fully tested by our technicians and is now operating in the field.’ 

Click here for more stories about Soma on L&L.com.