NEWSLETTER - Soma spol.s.r.o.
NEWSLETTER - Soma spol.s.r.o.
NEWSLETTER - Soma spol.s.r.o.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
P r i n t i n g a n d C o n v e r t i n g M a c h i n e s<br />
www.soma-eng.com<br />
Falcon II - The Intelligent Job Setting System<br />
The faster and smarter solution to your<br />
flexible packaging printing needs.<br />
Welcome to the autumn<br />
OPEN HOUSE<br />
15. 10. - 20. 11. from 10.00 to 17.30 hrs<br />
at our factory in Lanskroun<br />
Please register at<br />
www.soma-eng.com<br />
S o m a E n g i n e e r i n g - I n n o v a t i o n D r i v e n C o m p a n y<br />
<strong>NEWSLETTER</strong><br />
AUTUMN OPEN HOUSE<br />
Issue 1 - 2010<br />
FALCON II - Intelligent job setting system<br />
PLUTO ECO - Latest slitter model<br />
SAFTA - a user reports<br />
ECO LAMINATING<br />
SOMA FLEX MIDI II<br />
- sales booming<br />
Die Cutters Slitter Rewinders Flexographic presses Laminators Mounter Proofers Sheeters<br />
¬
F O R E W O R D<br />
Think economically, work ecologically!<br />
Since the beginning of the recession in 2008 many companies have been forced to<br />
think differently about their business strategies in order to keep their machines in<br />
production. Similarly, machinery suppliers have been forced to think differently about<br />
customers and their requirements.<br />
Economic recovery is now becoming a reality and the flexible packaging industry is<br />
predicted to grow by an average of 4.6 percent per year and increase in value to $ 56<br />
billion by 2011. We are ready to take part in this recovery and to help our customers<br />
win business with performance enhanced, value for money machines and<br />
technologies that optimise production. We are able to do this by using Czech<br />
engineering in combination with German sourced components. This policy has the<br />
advantage of enabling us to build high technology machines at a lower cost due to<br />
the cheaper skilled labour available in the Czech Republic.<br />
In order to give customers the right solutions we have to be in tune with market<br />
conditions and end user demands while also taking into account environmental<br />
issues and legislation that affect the flexible packaging industry. We know<br />
production costs have to be reduced to increase profits and one way of doing this is<br />
by reducing energy consumption. Another is to reduce machine make ready times to<br />
minimise substrate and consumables waste. Both also go some way towards<br />
reducing carbon emissions and achieving compliance with environmental<br />
legislation.<br />
We will present a new concept in technology at our Autumn Open House and K-<br />
Show in Duesseldorf that will demonstrate our efforts in maximising the benefits we<br />
can bring you. The theme of this new concept is: Think economically, work<br />
ecologically!<br />
Ultimately all our efforts are focused on equipping you for today’s market challenges.<br />
Our aim is to assist you in running a profitable and sustainable production operation<br />
with equipment that offers economical investment and the best price to quality ratio<br />
without sacrificing engineering or performance.<br />
Ladislav Verner<br />
Chief Executive Officer<br />
<strong>Soma</strong> Engineering<br />
<strong>NEWSLETTER</strong><br />
Issue 1 - 2010<br />
S o m a G l o b e<br />
FLEXO IN JAPAN<br />
We are pleased to announce the sale of the wide<br />
web flexographic printing press in Japan to Tokyo<br />
based Toho Processing Inc. The 850 mm wide,<br />
SOMA Flex MIDI press was supplied through<br />
Heidelberg, our Distributor in the region.<br />
The sale is seen as significant in that Toho<br />
Processing Inc., Tokyo is a leader in the gravure<br />
printing for flexible packaging in Japan and<br />
initiated the introduction of water-based flexo to<br />
address the environmental issues associated<br />
with using solvent based inks and VOC<br />
emissions.<br />
SOMA PRESS USER SCOOPS GRAND PRIX<br />
FLEXO GOLD<br />
SOMA press users were among the nominated<br />
and winning combinations at the 2010<br />
International Print and Innovation Award<br />
organised by PLFTA, the flexographic printing<br />
association in Poland.<br />
The competition offers participating companies<br />
the opportunity to gain public recognition of their<br />
achievements and demonstrate the outstanding<br />
degree of excellence the flexographic printing<br />
process has achieved. An international team of<br />
judges evaluated sample prints and awarded<br />
points based on several criteria. These included<br />
design and functionality based on substrate use,<br />
difficulty of reproduction, matched proofs and<br />
conversion to flexography from another printing<br />
process.<br />
Entries submitted by SOMA press users were in<br />
the mid-web category from 551mm to 999mm<br />
with PPHU Pabex Sp. J. scooping a gold medal<br />
for the second time with its Sledzie Matyjas<br />
Premium print. PPHU “Ewa” Strekowski were<br />
among the nominees with its Ekspesowa<br />
Herbatka Owocowa design as was Drukarnia<br />
Fleksograficzna POL – ZDOB with its Laschinger<br />
mit Chilli and mit Orangen print.<br />
1
O P E N H O U S E<br />
1 5 . 1 0 . - 1 5 . 11 . 2 0 1 0<br />
NEW CONCEPT FOR AUTUMN OPEN HOUSE AT SOMA<br />
We will present a new concept in flexible packaging at our Autumn Open House from<br />
October 15 to November 15, 2010 at our facility in Lanskroun, Czech Republic. The<br />
theme of the Autum Open House, Think economically, work ecologically is our<br />
response to market pressures and the current signs of economic recovery. Visitors will<br />
be able to see equipment aimed at increasing profits and reducing waste and energy<br />
costs while at the same time addressing environmental issues.<br />
We will demonstrate an eight colour <strong>Soma</strong> Flex Midi II flexographic printing press<br />
equipped with Falcon II, a new intelligent job setting systém. Our top and mid range<br />
Venus II and Pluto II slitting machines will also be demonstrated together with a<br />
Lamiflex E environementally friendly, energy saving laminating line. Jobs on the<br />
machines will demostrate how value can be added to the production process<br />
throughout the flexible packaging workflow.<br />
The EFTA 2010 award winning print job originally produced in high resolution using<br />
Kodak technology on a <strong>Soma</strong> Flex Imperia model supplied to UK based Ultimate<br />
Packaging will be reproduced on the 1350mm wide <strong>Soma</strong> Flex Midi II. The press will<br />
also be running printing jobs using directly engraved sleeve technology from Bottcher,<br />
Germany and Fast Cyrel Round sleeve printing from Dupont. Visitors will be able to see<br />
the press running at speeds up to 450mt/min and fast job setting through the new<br />
Falcon II system.<br />
The Falcon II system reduces waste at start-up by as much as 70 percent and reduces<br />
make-ready times by up to 50 percent allowing both long and short printing runs to be<br />
processed economically and with significantly improved profit margins.<br />
Visitors will also be able to see demonstrations of the Venus II high performance,<br />
servo driven slitter that offers medium and wide web printers and converters a cost<br />
effective solution for processing a wide range of substrates at high speed. The system<br />
is equipped with Tenzomat II, a unique rewind tension control system. The Pluto II<br />
slitter will be demonstrated with new performance upgrades that increase efficiency<br />
while keeping investment costs down. This economically priced model is<br />
manufactured to high engineering standards and the upgrades are aimed at giving<br />
customers a high quality machine capable of handling as wide a range of material as<br />
possible.<br />
Practical demonstrations will enable visitors to the event to learn how they can achieve<br />
economic success and outstanding quality on short-run printing and converting<br />
applications. Think economically, work ecologically!<br />
We look forward to welcoming you to Lanskroun.<br />
Marketing Department<br />
<strong>NEWSLETTER</strong><br />
Issue 1 - 2010<br />
First printing job<br />
Second printing job<br />
Third printing job<br />
2
F A L C O N I I<br />
I N T E L L I G E N T J O B<br />
S E T T I N G S Y S T E M<br />
NEW GENERATION INTELLIGENT JOB SETTING SYSTEM CREATES<br />
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE<br />
We are pleased to announce the development of a new system to automate<br />
impression and register settings. Falcon II is the second generation of automation<br />
technology from SOMA and consists of two processes designated Automatic<br />
Impression Setting and Smart Register system by BST International. The Automatic<br />
Impression Setting program sets the printing pressure at the start of a job without the<br />
need for dedicated print marks.<br />
The system reduces waste at start-up by as much as 70 percent and reduces makeready<br />
times by up to 50 percent allowing both long and short printing runs to be<br />
processed economically and with significantly improved profit margins. Impression<br />
and register for a 10 colour job on average can waste between 150 – 180m of material<br />
substrate. Falcon II reduces waste down to a standard 45 m.<br />
Print runs are becoming smaller and turn-around cycles shorter so make-ready times<br />
must be minimised in order to produce jobs efficiently and gain a competitive edge.<br />
Falcon II is the next step towards our goal of fully automating and speeding up the<br />
make-ready process. Environmental issues are also an important consideration.<br />
Falcon II is an example of our efforts to provide solutions for the development,<br />
production, and utilisation of presses to limit the depletion of resources while reducing<br />
emissions, and waste. Falcon II increases press utilisation because job setting is the<br />
same for short and long print runs”.<br />
Impression setting is achieved without actually printing giving zero material waste.<br />
The system works by scanning the kiss impression between the printing material and<br />
the plates as well as between the plates and anilox roller at full material width.<br />
Intelligent PS Plate Safe software protects the printing plates from being damaged or<br />
squeezed beyond kiss impression. Manual adjustments by the operator are also<br />
possible.<br />
The BST Smart Register system is well proven software to assist the operator to set<br />
accurate registration points. The operator starts the press and stops the machine to<br />
check registration after a complete image is printed. The settings are then adjusted<br />
with the assistance of intelligent software by matching the individual printing points,<br />
colour after colour to the registration mark parameters. Intelligent software and servo<br />
assisted drives then automatically move the printing sleeves to the correct position<br />
according to the pre-set values. This means the operator can accurately set the<br />
register for every printing deck resulting in less waste, faster make ready, increased<br />
available press time and improved print quality. Falcon II is a modular system that can<br />
be applied to any SOMA press with any repeat range and can also be retro fitted to<br />
existing machines. The system has been fully tested by our technicians and is now<br />
operating in the field.<br />
Zdenek Appl<br />
¬<br />
Chief of Flexo Design Group <strong>Soma</strong> Engineering<br />
II<br />
<strong>NEWSLETTER</strong><br />
Issue 1 - 2010<br />
FALCON 2<br />
- INTELLIGENT IMPRESSION SETTING<br />
SETTING OF OPTIMAL IMPRESSION<br />
15+15 - 30 meters<br />
BST SMART REGISTER<br />
45 meters<br />
Totally 45 meters<br />
3
P L U T O e c o<br />
E C O N O M I C A L<br />
& E C O L O G I C A L S O L U T I O N<br />
K 2010 LAUNCH FOR PLUTO ECO SLITTER REWINDER<br />
K2010 will see the launch of the Pluto Eco slitter/rewinder based on our new theme of<br />
"think economically and slit ecologically.” The system can be supplied in basic format to<br />
provide an entry-level or start-up machine for standard volume work and added to as<br />
and when converting requirements change. The Pluto II eco is SOMA’s response to<br />
converters looking for a reliable but economically priced slitter rewinder that offers<br />
maximum production versatility.<br />
The system is aimed at companies processing high volumes of material and has been<br />
developed to both reduce investment and running cost and with preservation of the<br />
environment in mind. This has been achieved by eliminating hydraulics to reduce<br />
power consumption and permit clean, oil free operation. These features together with a<br />
new, stream-lined design combine to bring customers a cost effective, environmentally<br />
friendly machine. A special web path permits the machine to be utilised for food and<br />
pharmaceutical slitting.<br />
The Pluto II eco is capable of processing 1100, 1350 and 1650 mm web widths at a<br />
maximum slitting speed of 500 m/min. and enables users to respond quickly and flexibly<br />
to the most varied of customer requirements. A wide range of materials and formats can<br />
be slit. These include multiple layer laminates up to 130 g/m3, glass fibre laminates, coextruded<br />
films of mixed quality, paper, PP and PET from ultra-thin 0,015 mm to 0,060<br />
mm and PE up to 0,200 mm. The machine has a maximum rewind diameter of 635 mm<br />
and a minimum slit width of 35 mm with option for as lows as 25 mm.<br />
Shaftless operation at unwind with pneumatically controlled braking system simplify<br />
operation and optional automatic laser core positioning on rewind shafts assist the<br />
operator to carry out precise and fast core setting for new jobs. This uses common data<br />
for the knife assistant positioning system. Easier knife exchange is carried out directly<br />
within the machine eliminating the need to remove heavy shafts (male and female).<br />
The female knife shaft is located within the slitter rewinder and female knives are<br />
loaded easily through a convenient access on the side of the machine. A logically<br />
designed central control panel and self-explanatory user interface combine to assist<br />
the operator. Additional options include ionisation bars to reduce static, individual layon<br />
rollers and Tenzomat II which measures real tension values for each working<br />
moment and enables precise rewind tension regulation during the complete rewind<br />
cycle.<br />
Commenting on the development, Chief of Slitter Rewinder Design Group, Miroslav<br />
Stejskal said, “The cost effective and space-saving design integrates the unwind,<br />
slitting and rewind systems within a compact machine. This means it has a small<br />
footprint where space is limited in the factory. Customers can be sure that the design is<br />
based on our usual high engineering standards and innovative detail based on many<br />
years experience in the field. Low capital tie-up and maximum slitting quality mean that<br />
an investment in the Pluto II eco is a secure route towards growth.”<br />
<strong>NEWSLETTER</strong><br />
Issue 1 - 2010<br />
Technical Parameters<br />
Max. web width<br />
Min. web width<br />
Min. slit width<br />
Max. working speed<br />
Max. parent roll diameter<br />
Slit reel diameter 635 mm<br />
LASER CORE GUIDING SYSTEM<br />
STRIP HOLDER SYSTEM<br />
Metric<br />
1.100 / 1.350 / 1.600 mm<br />
300 mm<br />
35 / 25 mm<br />
500 m/min<br />
1.000 mm<br />
UNWINDING TENSION CONTROL<br />
4
S A F T A<br />
SOMA OFFERS BEST QUALITY TO PRICE RATIO AT SAFTA<br />
We are pleased to report on the installation of two slitter/rewinders<br />
from our Planet range at SAFTA S.p.A., Italy. The Pluto II and Venus<br />
II models join six existing slitter rewinders at the Piacenza based<br />
company and are part of its plans to improve quality and production<br />
efficiencies.<br />
Commenting on the purchase, Marco Murelli of SAFTA said, “We<br />
had felt some economic impact in the last quarter of 2009 due to<br />
the recession. Fortunately this was not serious and we managed to<br />
overcome the situation by improving our processes and job<br />
organisation to improve effectiveness. Some new investments<br />
were also needed to increase our overall efficiency.”<br />
The specification of both 1350mm wide slitter rewinders include<br />
SOMA’s Tensomat II system for precise rewind tension control<br />
through PLC and tensometers to ensure constant tension;<br />
automatic knife/razor and laser core positioning as well as intuitive<br />
controls to simplify operation.<br />
“The people at SAFTA first saw the Pluto II machine demonstrated<br />
at the last ICE show in Munich and were impressed with its high<br />
engineering standards and quality of slitting, says Pavla Kusa of<br />
SOMA. They were so enthused with its performance and versatility<br />
on a wide range of substrates that they quickly followed the<br />
purchase of the Pluto II with an order for the larger, AC Servo driven<br />
Venus II model. We know customers have choices and appreciate<br />
the confidence SAFTA has placed in investing in our equipment.”<br />
<strong>NEWSLETTER</strong><br />
Issue 1 - 2010<br />
“We have standardised slitting and rewinding production to around<br />
1600mm web widths and have six other models from Italian and<br />
British manufacturers, says Murelli. “The decision to change and<br />
purchase SOMA was judged on the grounds of best price versus<br />
quality ratio. We believe SOMA is one of the best from this point of<br />
view. These are very versatile machines and we use them to slit a<br />
wide range of high quality products. 5 days per week, three shifts<br />
per day.”<br />
SAFTA originally started business as producers of Rayon-Viscose<br />
materials and is now an international household name in the<br />
flexible packaging industry. The company has over 370 employees<br />
and in 2002 became part of the Guala Group, a holding company<br />
engaged in the packaging industry. The company divides its<br />
production into five sections, blown film extrusion utilising five<br />
extruders; pre-press and plate making; printing using six<br />
rotogravure presses; film laminating using five machines and<br />
slitting where final quality control is carried out. The company prints<br />
and converts flexible packaging for soluble goods, beverages, food<br />
products, pet food, pharmaceuticals, medicals, detergents and<br />
cosmetics.<br />
Concludes Pavla Kusa, “We share the same aims as SAFTA in<br />
delivering the best packaging solutions and our commitment to<br />
customers is in bringing to market, products that offers the same<br />
high level of engineering as our more established competitors at a<br />
quality and price ratio that benefits all concerned.”<br />
PLUTO II VENUS II<br />
5
E C O<br />
L A M I N AT I N G<br />
SOMA ECO LAMINATING MACHINE SALES BOOMING<br />
We are delighted to inform you that sales of our Lamiflex E laminating<br />
machine are booming having sold ten in 2010, to date and with more<br />
enquiries in the pipeline. We put this success down to growing concerns for<br />
the environment, rising energy costs and customer confidence in the quality<br />
to price ratio of its equipment.<br />
“We have seen a significant increase in demand for this system across all our<br />
regional markets”, states Pavla Kusa, Brand Manager. “The Lamiflex E is an<br />
ecologically friendly laminator that is cost effective and that also benefits the<br />
environment. It uses a two part, solvent-free polyurethane adhesive that sets<br />
via chemical reaction. This avoids VOC emissions and also eliminates the<br />
need for a heated drying tunnel saving on both high energy consumption and<br />
machine engineering costs while also reducing carbon emissions.”<br />
Apart from the obvious environmental advantages, we would like to share<br />
with you some comments from a selection of customers that have purchased<br />
the Lamiflex E machine for attributes such as reliability, experience with<br />
existing SOMA machines and ease of operation.<br />
Gerhard Ulrich, owner and CEO of Ulikett GmbH, Austria says”Our 850mm<br />
wide Lamiflex E joins a Venus II slitter from SOMA Engineering. I did not<br />
consider other manufacturers because I know from experience that SOMA<br />
machines are reliable.”<br />
Lukas Kult of Casia, Trutnov, Czech Republic adds, “The simplicity and<br />
familiarity of operation together with reliability and price performance ratio<br />
were the key reasons for purchasing the Lamiflex E. After several months of<br />
production I have to add another positive aspects which is lower energy<br />
consumption. With energy costs increasing all the time, this means<br />
substantial benefits for our company.”<br />
Sergey Gorbickiy co-owner of Masterflex OOO, Minsk, Belarus says, We see<br />
SOMA as synonymous with quality. We could have gone with lesser quality<br />
equipment, but you get what you pay for. We wanted the best and we have<br />
not been disappointed.”<br />
The Lamiflex E is compact and robust enough to take on demanding shifts on<br />
a wide range of materials and includes design features to protect against<br />
damage from leaks, light and other agencies, says Kusa. “Ease of operation<br />
is provided through intuitive touch screen controls with menu, remote<br />
communication and diagnostic capability. Our solvent- free laminating<br />
<strong>NEWSLETTER</strong><br />
Issue 1 - 2010<br />
CASIA, <strong>spol</strong>. s r. o. - CZECH REPUBLIC<br />
MASTERFLEX OOO - BELARUS<br />
LAMIFLEX E<br />
technology is based on precise application of the<br />
adhesive in a controlled and uniform manner combined<br />
with accurate tension control of the material. In this<br />
respect, we have drawn on our long term experience<br />
with the manufacture of slitting and rewinding machines<br />
where as with laminating, tension control is a key<br />
factor.”<br />
<strong>Soma</strong>’s tension control system consists of four precise<br />
web tension control units linked to AC servomotors and<br />
dance rollers with taper tension for accurate rewind<br />
web control to avoid telescoping of the finished reel.<br />
6