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48 | L&L
servo-driven TR 2 press includes a roll lift
on the unwind, vacuum loop box to avoid
scratches behind the label web, pre-set
temperature control for the recirculating
water system, and video web monitor to
check registration and any faults. Options
include rotary die cutter, flexo varnish
unit, and reverse-side printer.
Taiwan is another major center for such
presses. The RS-350PS from Labelmen
International combines full rotary and
semi-rotary printing. It features the CNC
One Touch make-ready system, the
Ani-Print inking system for consistent
inking with fast set-ups and fine tuning
of the ink/water balance. Orthotec's
upgraded CFT 3536 press includes a
chilled water circulation system as part
of the four-segment, servo-controlled
inking system to maintain consistent
ink viscosity. Register is adjusted
through a touch screen register and
the blanket cylinder is now engaged/
disengaged automatically. The press also
incorporates a second pass scanner/
dampening system, as well as a plate
dirt removal function. Smooth Machinery
offers the shaftless SPM 450-OR with
multiple servo drives for the main
functions.
Several Chinese manufacturers of flexo
presses and finishing equipment now
offer intermittent offset presses. They
include Zhejiang Weigang which recently
introduced the six-unit ZX-320. Zhongtian
Machinery Works' ZTJ-330 has individual
servo drives on each print unit. Three-way
adjustment of the print cylinder for
on-the-fly register adjustments, a sliding
touch screen control unit, and high
levels of automation point to a fairly
sophisticated specification.
A long-standing European example
is the TCS 250 from Gallus. Its modular
design, with expansion up to 12 units,
allows a choice of printing and finishing
options, including Gallus's Rotascreen
WEIGANG ZX320
LABELS&LABELING
system. The 265-mm wide press
carries a high level of automation, with
touch-screen control from a central
panel. Users can combine the flatbed
die cutter with a flatbed relief embossing
unit.
Rotatek targets the semi-rotary
market with the Brava S 330, a
shaftless combination press employing
semi-rotary offset, flexo and screen
units. It was derived from the wider
Brava 420, which unusually combines
both rotary and semi-rotary offset
modes. New features include an
embossing system with gap master
regulation and an inline screen printing
unit.
NILPETER’S MO-4 is now controlled by
the touch screen Press Management Center
Codimag is unique among European
narrow web manufacturers in offering
waterless offset, which eliminates the
conventional water or dampening
system. Based on Toray's platemaking
technology, the system uses siliconecoated
plates and highly viscous inks
with an integrated temperature control
system. Four years ago Codimag
developed Aniflo, a keyless anilox offset
technology, for the Viva 420. Aniflo
replaces the conventional inking train
with four cylinders of equal diameters. An
anilox roller delivers a constant ink film
to a forme rubber roller, which transfers
ink to the plate, with silicone layers for
non-image areas, and then to the blanket.
Esko color management software gives
an extended gamut printing. At Labelexpo
it launched a new version of the Viva 340,
also fitted with Aniflo, again aimed at
printers of short-run premium labels.
Notwithstanding its dominance of
commercial printing, UV-cured offset is
now firmly rooted within certain levels
of labels and packaging production.
Rotary offset is no longer confined
solely to long-run applications. Its many
quality and production-led benefits
allow it to compete with UV flexo at the
top, value-added end of the market.
Several developments from leading
press manufacturers bear this out. As
mentioned, the strength of semi-rotary
is largely determined by regional market
demands and global trading patterns,
while simultaneously carving out niche,
high-end applications all over the world.
Both formats, it could be assumed,
punch above their weight.