FTA to Host Free Session “Taking Tinkering to Task” at its 2012 Fall Conference

BOHEMIA, NY—July 10, 2012—Why do we often see printers become masters of tinkering at press? Is it because the print culture has been long-established with an expectation that in spite of the circumstances, a press operator must make every shop order a successful run? What if the focus of the expectations shifted to the press inputs; which include plate, ink and
aniloxes, and are often the source of the need for manipulation?

On Monday, October 15, 2012 Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) will host a free pre-conference session during its 2012 Fall Conference, “Efficiency in Flexography: Connecting the Dots” (Milwaukee, WI; Oct. 15-17). From 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, conference goers can join chairs Sean Teufler, Harper Corp. of America and Johnny Dye, Accredo Packaging, as they explore the root causes of tinkering on press and emphasize where each department must focus its efforts to make the production area as efficient as possible.

“If your press environment continues to be a catch-all for every problem, this session is perfect for you.” Commented Dye. “You'll learn how adequate planning and process control is the key to press success, from the viewpoints of an ink technician and a printer.”

Teufler added, “For press operators to achieve the required efficiency in today’s competitive environment, they must further optimize their processes. The burden of plate, ink and equipment corrections must go back upstream to their root sources. We will focus on these concepts by identifying inputs, common problems the operator must address and also discuss the troubleshooting processes that must be in place.”

The two-and-one-half day Fall Conference features six sessions, an update on FTA’s Flexo Quality Consortium (FQC), two evening receptions and a tabletop exhibition that runs concurrently with all breaks and meals.

Exhibiting companies include: 3M; All Printing Resources; Anderson & Vreeland; Beta Industries; Braden Sutphin Ink; Color Resolutions International; CT Graphic Arts; DuPont Packaging Graphics; Eaglewood Technologies; Eastman Kodak; Esko; Flexocleaners.com; Flexo Wash; Flint Group; Harper Corp. of America; I.S.T./ECO; Leader Engineering-Fabrication; MacDermid Printing Solutions; OEC Graphics; Paper Converting Machine; Screen USA; Ship & Shore Environmental; QuadTech; Tri-X Inc.; and X-Rite Inc.

Registrations are now being accepted. In addition to the free pre-conference session, each registrant receives a complimentary copy of the book, Setup Reduction for Printers, written by renowned authors Dr. Malcolm Keif & Kevin Cooper of California Polytechnic State University. This 140-page book provides information for reducing up to 50 percent setup time and includes insights for engaging with the production team, utilizing Lean practices, lowering costs and methodically working through the process of makeready reduction.

For more information on FTA’s 2012 Fall Conference and to register, visit FTA’s Website at www.flexography.org or contact FTA’s Customer Service Dept. at 631-737-6020.

About FTA/FFTA
Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), chartered in 1958, is a professional society dedicated to bringing all members of the flexographic printing community—printers, suppliers, consumer product companies, institutions, prepress houses and others—together by providing opportunities for the free exchange of technical ideas and discussion of mutual concerns. It is a proponent of maintaining and advancing quality standards and includes 1,650 member sites that represent more than 1,400 companies and 60,000 individuals. Foundation of FTA, founded in 1974, is the educational arm of FTA and is dedicated to supporting and advancing the flexographic printing industry.

Source: FTA.