Industry News - August 2014
California Labeler Adds Nilpeter Press
G3 Enterprises in Modesto, Ca., is the new home of an 11-color Nilpeter FA-4 multi-substrate flexo press. The company, which specializes in wine labels, worked with Nilpeter to arrange the press to include the CLEANINKING quick-change inking system and QC-Die quick-change die unit. The press is also set up for decorative applications such as hot foil, embossing, special effects and opaque white.
Flint Group Narrow Web Expands EkoCure brand
Two new UV LED Rotary Screen Whites have been launched by Flint Group Narrow Web North America. The products will be released under the EkoCure brand name. The “first down” UV LED rotary screen white offers an opaque white that cures and prints smoothly at high speeds and provides enhanced adhesion to newer films. The “second down” white becomes useful when a white is needed in a print sequence located between two other print layers. The white offers strong adhesion and scratch resistance and will print over UV flexo colors and can be printed on by other print technologies.
Yazoo Expands Stock Core Program
Yazoo Mills, producer of paper tubes and cores, has expanded its stock core program to 103 sizes. The latest addition includes nine 3” I.D. X .250 cores. With the addition, Yazoo now stocks 60 sizes of 3” I.D. X .125 Cores and 43 sizes of 3” I.D. and 6” I.D. X .250 cores. Yazoo’s stock cores range from .5” to 60” in length.
Dover Flexo Electronics Launches FireGuard2
An “Intrinsically Safe Tension Amplifier,” the FireGuard2 from Dover Flexo Electronics reduces the potential for fire or explosion. While measuring web tension from Dover Flexo Electronics’ tension transducers, the device limits energy provided to an area with flammable solvent vapor at a rate lower than what is required to ignite a spark. The FireGuard2 can be adjusted using the Quick-cal zero feature and the calibration feature.
Sustainable Bread Packaging from Amcor
By incorporating predominantly renewable polyethylene, Amcor Flexibles and Hovis Seed Sensations have created a bread bag with a 75 percent lower product carbon footprint than many traditional bread bags made with non-renewable sources. Seed Sensations is the first product being relaunched with these bags.
INX International Wins Supplier of the Year Award from Rexam
Rexam, a world-wide beverage can producer, has named INX International Ink Co., its supplier of the year. This year marked the third time since 2007 INX has been recognized by the Rexam Supplier Excellence Award program, but the first time the company was deemed North American Supplier of the Year. The award is given to the supplier that achieves the highest total score in quality, cost, support and innovation. “This North American award means a great deal to everyone involved as we have worked and serviced many of the companies that make up today’s Rexam group for almost 50 years,” remarked Rick Clendenning, INX International Ink Co. President and CEO. “With everything we do to service all their facilities every day, this is quite an accomplishment and honor. I’m very proud of our people and thank them for their dedication to win this prestigious award.”
ThermoFlexX Expands its Imager Range
ThermoFlexX, the range of imagers for the flexographic market produced by Xeikon, has released the ThermoFlexX 80, the company’s first entirely in-house designed and manufactured model. The imager has a dual-head imaging feature, providing speeds of 12 square meters per hour at 2,400 dpi. The motor, laser and optics run as three separate and easily replaced modules. According to ThermoFlexX, the imager’s maximum resolution of 5,080 dpi is the highest available. Automation is a key feature of the ThermoFlexX 80. An automatic calibration system helps ensure jobs are imaged under optimum conditions and operators are able to load and unload plates at the touch of a button.
Chris Baldwin named Nilpeter’s Technology Center Manager
Nilpeter has brought Chris Baldwin on board to serve as the manager of the company’s Cincinnati Technology Center. The center is responsible for all internal printing, converting, and customer and co-supplier activities. Baldwin’s more than 25 years in the industry include press operation, prepess, division management and equipment sales. “I am excited and honored to take on this new role and set of responsibilities,” said Baldwin. “I’ve been involved with this ever evolving industry for a long time and will use my knowledge and expertise to help Nilpeter continue its growth of groundbreaking and innovative products and services.”
Sustainable Packaging from Cortec
Cortec, a St. Paul, MN-based producer of environmentally conscious packaging material, has launched EcoShield Paper and Linerboard. The new product is made from high-quality recycled paper and is coated with a water-based barrier. EcoShield is completely recyclable and repulpable and has shown barrier properties stronger than those of some papers and linerboards coated with wax or polyethylene. The recyclable nature of EcoShied packaging allows it to be recycled into other paper products or mixed into a pulp, which can then be used for the creation of paper products. According to Cortec, EcoShield has been shown to be effective in protecting against oil and grease, and has a reduced moisture vapor transmission rate.
Got Eye-Appeal? FSEA Releases Study on High-Visibility Enhancements
The Foil & Specialty Effects Association, in partnership with Clemson University’s CUshop Consumer Experience Laboratory, has released a white paper on a study of how consumer purchasing behavior is affected by high-visibility enhancements in packaging. According to the paper, packages with foil stamping attracted consumers faster and held their attention longer than the same package without the foil stamp. Other high-visibility enhancements include embossing, specialty UV coating, and metallic finishing. To request the white paper, visit www.fsea.com.
BDT, Fuji, and Phoseon Collaborate
BDT Media Automation, FUJIFILM Dimatix, and Phoseon Technology have joined forces to create a complete digital printing solution for the packaging sector. The new solution will be demonstrated for the first time at the Pack Expo International in Chicago in November. According to the partnering companies, the printing system will incorporate the flexibility of BDT Tornado media technology and the versatility of the UV printing provided by Fuji-Dimatix and Phoseon. The Tornado-based Product Feeder and Print-system is said to be able to work off-line with a variety of packaging materials including coated and uncoated cardboard, corrugated board, paper stock, and be compatible with metallic foils and plastics. The partners also say the device will feed, align, print, cure, and stack with minimal user involvement.
