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LABELS&LABELING |47
as UV flexo. An independent drive allows
very slow set-up speeds to minimize
waste, which is essential when processing
unsupported films.
Rotatek's press range includes the
520-mm wide Universal. The multi-substrate
offset press is targeted at flexible
packaging printers. It uses quick-change
sleeve technology for the offset and
flexo units. The sleeve carriers are fitted
with ring bearers to allow high printing
pressures.
STOP-GO, STOP-GO
Semi-rotary UV offset presses – also
letterpress – obtain variable repeat lengths
through their intermittent, or translative,
web movements. Top speeds are only
70m/min or less, but fast set-ups and job
changeovers make them economical for
handling short-to-medium label runs with
minimum wastage. Aided by localized
distribution patterns, this helps explain
why many family-owned label printers
in Asian and Pacific Rim countries
remain big users of such presses. Asian
manufacturers also tend to supply rotary
and flatbed screen, hot foiling and rotary
and flatbed die cutters as part of package
deals.
Outside of Asia, the main users tend to
be converters serving the wine, healthcare
and cosmetics sectors. Some companies
are known to install these presses as
economic alternatives to high-end digital
label presses, especially since they offer
the flexibility of combination printing and
come complete with in-line finishing.
A maximum width of 330mm is the
norm. The fact that there are no formatdependent
accessories to slow down job
changeovers is a further bonus.
Major Japanese manufacturers
include Miyakoshi, once widely known
for its continuous forms presses.
It manufactures the MLP Series in
three widths for label printing. The
modular presses typically run with
five UV semi-rotary offset units, a UV
MPS EXL Packaging unit with LeanInking
flexo unit, hot foiling with embossing,
and two die cutters. Shiki Machine
Supply Corporation supplies the FX
Series in web widths of 270mm and
400mm, usually with six offset units.
The servo-driven Sanki SOF-330 from
the Lintec Corporation is similarly
configured, with optional flat-bed die
cutting and hot foiling in a stand-alone
unit with re-registration. The rollers keep
revolving during stoppages to avoid
roller marks on start-up, while a single
blanket is used for all repeats to reduce
downtime. Iwasaki's highly automated,
SELECTED CHOICE.
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WINE PAPERS
INTERCOAT - Division of AMC Pancke AG
Boschstrasse 12 • 24568 Kaltenkirchen • Germany
Tel. +49 4191 8005 0 • Fax +49 4191 8005 513
info@intercoat.de
www.winelabelsupporters.com
JANUARY 2012 | L&L