Slimming Down

For narrow-web press manufacturers, slender is the way to go.

by Joy English, Assistant Editor

IN THE UNITED States, it seems as though almost everything comes in super-sized proportions, from french fries and sodas to trashbags and toilet paper. But increased numbers do not necessarily equate to increased value.

Narrow-web press suppliers will agree. They are offering converters a "super-sized" value, without the extra inches. And converters looking for short-run flexibility with quick changeovers are finding that narrow-web presses are opening the door to increased flexibility and more options.

Narrowing the field

Narrow-web presses, generally less than 24˝ wide, are making short-runs and quick changeovers possible, while their counterpart, wide-format presses, are ideally suited for longer runs. Numerous narrow-web presses are enhanced with added features that benefit converters.

For short to medium runs, Brandtjen & Kluge's Web Press System offers efficient changeover and setups. The 15.5˝ press is available in offset and/or UV flexo configurations with speeds up to 500 fpm. It comes standard with an unwind unit, an offset printing tower that uses two-cylinder print cartridges, a processor unit, and a folder unit. Benefits of the Web Press System include quick makereadies, low waste, and compatibility with computer-to-plate polyester printing plates. Options, such as variable-image printing, in-line MICR ribbon encoding, rotary foil stamping, and web reinsertion are available.

Comco's ProGlide MSP can print films, flexible packaging, and carton board and now includes "The Power of Servo." The new servo system increases the press' efficiency. The press also features pre-registration and re-registration, automatic ink and impression adjustments, web tension management of infeed and outfeed with constant speed and tension, tooling management, intermediate web pacing with a velocity mode and variable press stepping, and job storage and historical data. The ProGlide, with Comco's shuttle deck system for quick print-unit makeready between jobs, also offers maximum speeds of 750 fpm.

Gallus, Inc.'s Gallus EM 280 is a multi-platform, narrow-web press for various applications, including a wide range of substrates. Available in rotary screen, flexo, and UV/EB-flexo, the 11˝ press, with speeds up to 492 fpm, features a low-profile design, 13 hp main drive motor, central linear register control, controlled infeed, and rotary screen and hot foil stamp units.

Converters in the tag and label market will find interest in the Mark Andy LP3000, a label system press in Mark Andy's Label Productivity family. The LP3000 prints all labels and tags from 2 mil (0.05 mm) to 14 mil (0.36 mm), whether water-based or UV-cured. Available in 10˝, 13˝, or 17˝ widths, the press has standard unwind and rewind diameters of 40˝ and speeds up to 750 fpm. Special features include Quick Load plate loading technology for faster setup and anilox roll protection; the "QC" Quick Change ink carriage that provides the ability to set the meter roll and doctor blade outside the press; independent temperature controls for each dryer tunnel; and state-of-the-art, one-touch electronic controls for added convenience and efficiency. Other optional features include a UV flexo package and remote operator control panel. The LP3000 is designed for prime label packaging; functional labels and tags; industrial, health/beauty and medical tags and labels; business forms and labels; small to medium packages and envelopes; and package and clothing labels and tags.

The Evolution™ Converting System, from Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), is a gearless, in-line flexo converting press that incorporates AC Digital Servos for print cylinder control through a user-friendly operator interface. The press comes in 18˝, 22˝, and the mid-web 30˝ width, and is designed for the flexible packaging, folding carton, and tag and label markets. Lisa Prunty, PCMC marketing specialist, said, "Evolution uses the unique PCMC-designed print head, Deck x 2™. This unique design has a single impression cylinder operating between two color decks, allowing for an industry-shortest web path and the versatility to add additional print modules and converting options." The press also features an automatic rack-out/rack-in system, helping accomplish changeover in less than 30 minutes for 8 colors.

Offering increased uptimes and productivity, flexibility for a variety of printing cassettes, and minimal waste is Taiyo Kikai's TLM-250 Label Printing Press. This press has a printing width of 10˝ with maximum rewind and unwind diameters of 31.5˝, and reaches speeds from 270 to 400 fpm. The TLM-250's paper feed section is controlled by a servo motor to achieve quick registration, and printing cassettes are removable from the press. To reduce downtime, plate mounting and inking are handled off-press, while another job is running. Optional features include a flat-bed diecut unit, laminating unit, sheet cut unit, rotary hot stamp unit, and auto-registration system.

Recently released

Propheteer International recently released the 2000 SIL press, a servo in-line press for film and paper. The press offers variable print lengths and the ability to fine tune surface speeds, and is available in 13˝, 18˝, 20˝, and 22˝. It comes standard with a 40˝ unwind roll capacity and roll lift; 40˝ rewind; automatic electronic edge guide; servo motors for print cylinder and impression cylinder drives; automatic ink system throw off and constant turn ink roll motors; servo-driven diecutting with automatic registration; and operator console with touch-screen controls.

While many Americans are still "biggie-sizing" it, many package printers are looking to narrow-web presses to meet a variety of their printing needs (including long-run print jobs). Press manufacturers are offering narrow-web presses with built-in flexibility and numerous features for the printing of tags and labels, flexible packaging, film, paper, and other substrates. Losing inches may be a good thing.

Resources

Aquaflex www.aquaflex.com

Brandtjen & Kluge www.brandtjenandkluge.com

Gallus www.gallus.org

Ko-Pack www.ko-pack

Mark Andy/Comco www.markandy.com

Nilpeter www.nilpeter.com

PCMC www.pcmc.com

Propheteer www.prohpeteerintl.com

Taiyo Kikai, Ltd. www.taiyo-kikai.co.jp