Skanem installs second Nilpeter FA-4 at Cardiff facility

Skanem Cardiff has commissioned its second Nilpeter FA-4 UV flexo combination press.  

The new press is more highly specified than the converter’s existing FA-4, comprising eleven flexo print units, each fitted with GEW UV curing lamps. The modular configuration includes freely-positioned rotary screen units. Skanem has also adopted a hot or cold foiling option that allows metallic printed effects. The press includes a delaminator/relaminator module for reverse-side printing of primary labels. Printing is by either conventional flexo plates or lightweight photopolymer sleeve constructions. 

As an aid to increased production, the FA-4 has a wider-than-normal maximum web width of 420mm (16.5 inches) and a top speed of 175 m/minute (575 feet/minute). It can handle a wide range of multi-substrate packaging and labeling materials, aided by a servo-driven infeed, servo drives on all print units, as well as a mid-feed pacer. Easy-load plate and anilox sleeve technologies reduce job change-over times. 

Colin Stafford, Skanem Cardiff’s operational manager, said: ‘The FA-4 is both easy to use and easy to understand. The press can produce the highest quality work that brand owners now demand. As a plug-and- play machine, it is an excellent press.’ 

Steve Dunne, managing director of Skanem UK, added that the new press reflected an increased demand for servo-driven combination printing because of the flexibility it offers. ‘We try to focus on individual markets, and this type of press widens our opportunities for a whole host of markets. Also, servo drives offer more automated control while delivering high quality. We have experienced these benefits at Skanem Liverpool, where we run six NilpeterMO offset-based combination presses.’ 

Skanem Cardiff’s main output includes labels for the personal care and beverage markets, including resealable peel and read labels, booklet labels, fragrance labels, Braille and tactile labels, as well as re-usable clear-on-clear bottle labels. Labeling products for the automotive industry is seen as a developing market for the company. 

Based in Stavanger, Norway, Skanem was founded in 1905. In recent years it has since become one of Europe's largest independent suppliers of self-adhesive labels with twelve production plants in eight countries.  

Pictured l-r: Steen Thoeisen, Nilpeter; Steve Dunne, Skanem UK; Nick Hughes, Nilpeter UK  

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

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