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DANTEX displayed a range of high resolution water wash plate technologies
Labelexpo pre-press review
DEVELOPMENTS in direct plate imaging and workflow automation were among key pre-press advancements
at Labelexpo Europe, as Andy Thomas reports
DIRECT IMAGING
Direct imaging of flexo plates holds
the potential to reduce the number of
processing steps in plate production –
simply imaging followed by rinse and dry
- and to give unprecedented control over
dot size and shape on different areas
of the plate. This Labelexpo saw the
introduction by Kodak to the packaging
market of its Flexcel Direct laser plate
engraving system. This consists of
imager, plate material – suitable for
both solvent and water-based inks - and
3-D workflow software. The system can
be used to image continuous sleeve,
plate-on-sleeve or flat plates, and will
also image LAMS plates and sleeves.
The imaging unit utilizes Kodak’s
proven multi-channel laser diode array,
claimed by Kodak 4-6 times more energy
efficient than traditional lasers with one
third the chilling requirements.
Autofocus optics tracks media surface
during engraving to maximize engraving
consistency and there is an integrated
evacuation system for elastomer debris
collection.
Cantilever sleeve loading allows for fast
and easy sleeve exchange and users can
LABELS&LABELING
change between mandrel and vacuum
drum without the need of an overhead
crane.
Maximum imaging width is 1.6 m and
maximum repeat 1067 mm.
Fujifilm was discussing the latest
developments in its Flenex DLE flexo
plate engraving technology, first
covered by L&L at Labelexpo Americas.
The Flenex DLE system incorporates
FujFilm’s multi-channel FC laser array
platesetter and the company’s own
polymer plate material.
According to the company’s John
Davies, business strategy manager at
FujiFilm Europe, the DLE system should
be commercialized some time in the first
half of next year. ‘Our starting point is to
image a B2 sheet in around 50 minutes,
meaning a plate for a Gallus EM280
would take one third of that time. And we
expect these times to come down as we
move forwards.’
Stork is a supplier with a long history
direct engraving system development and
was showcasing its rotaLEN engraver for
in-the-round processing of RotaMesh and
RotaPlate screens and compact rotaLEX,
a compact and inexpensive desk-top unit
which uses laser exposure to engrave
RotaPlate screens held in position on
a magnetic drum. Another established
player in the direct engraving market is
Flexolaser, which was demonstrating its
established Nano and Piccolino systems.
With plate sizes of 508 x 420 mm and 635
x 500 mm respectively, these are targeted
squarely at the label and narrow web
printer. The front end Multiplate software
allows easy and intuitive job setup and the
vacuum slider and mechanical clamping
system help speed up plate mounting.
LÜSCHER ADDS SCREEN
AND FOIL PLATES TO CTP
Of great interest from Lüscher was the Multi
DX CTP system. The company’s X!Pose
system can already expose flexo, offset,
letterpress and flexible rotary screen plates.
The Multi DX adds the ability to expose all
rigid rotary screen print plates and plates with
photoresist designed for hot foil, embossing
and die cutting applications. The unit has a
resolution up to 10,000 dpi and incorporates
Lüscher’s ‘Continuous Calibration’ technology
to deliver a higher level of process stability.