RotoMetrics

Recipe for Success - Growth is Key

Growth is key to any converter's success, and Weber Marking Systems is flourishing. TAKE ONE CONVERTER, add in Mark Andy presses and accessories from such companies as AAA Press International and RotoMetrics and stir. Sprinkle in a variety of label substrates and inks, and allow to grow. Following such a recipe has proven to be a successful mix for Weber Marking Systems, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. Weber Marking Systems, established in 1932 by Joseph Weber Sr., began with the production of stencils, addressing machines, and hand printers for print-and-apply labeling. But today, it has grown into a multi-faceted label and coding company serving

AAA PRESS INT'L Praxair™ laser-engraved ceramic anilox rolls; tint sleeve kits. Write 604, Visit www.aaapress.com, ABSOLUTELY MICRO*CLEAN Micro*Clean use a unique plastic media to deep-clean anilox rolls. The well-proven method is used off-press in an enclosed blast cabinet. The media is cleaned and recycled for reduced costs/elimination of hazardous waste. Write 605, Visit www.microcleanintl.com ADVANCED CYLINDER REPAIR Recognized leader in "In Press" cylinder repair services. We serve the offset, web, and flexo industries with the most up-to-date repair technology available. Write 606 American Die Technology Anvil rolls and printing cylinders for narrow-web flexo equipment with web widths to 30˝. Write 607, Visit

ACTION ROTARY DIE Manufacturing and retooling of engraved rotary dies and print cylinders for the narrow-web printer. Includes adjustable, air-eject, removable blade sheeter/perf, multi-level including slit over perf, and thermal cutting dies. Specializes in deep engraved dies. Introducing vacuum dies and molecularly enhanced tool sheets. Visit www.actionrotary.com For Action Rotary Die Write 388 ADAMS TECHNOLOGIES Automated steel rule bending systems, laser dieboard systems, routers for strippers and counter cutters, water-jet rubber-cutting systems. Visit www.adamstechnologies.com American Die Technology A complete line of CNC and EDM dies. Our cryogenic treating process extends the die life of the Marathon dies. The Thermalizer holds up to

One big round of applause for McDowell Label and Screen Printing, the 2003 TLMI Best of Show Award winner. For more than 26 years, the Tag & Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) has been hosting its annual awards competition. With numerous entry categories, a variety of companies enter multiple times. This year proved to be no different. With 273 entries, it's no wonder the judges continue to comment on how difficult it is to select category winners. "The show continues to get better each year," noted Mike Buystedt, judge and director of new market development at Azko Nobel Inks. "The labels

Rotary diecutting systems offer speed, versatility, and reliability. IN THE LAST several years, rotary dies have come a long way. No longer can flatbed diecutting systems claim to handle a substantially wider array of substrates and offer a higher degree of detail than their rotary die counterparts. Thanks to newer advances like machine sharpening and laser die hardening, and new steels, coatings, and processes, rotary dies have surpassed the versatility and effectiveness of flatbed dies. In fact, rotary dies have a score of benefits to offer printers. Advantage: rotary dies Converters are taking a serious look at rotary diecutting systems. They

These products and companies were the most sought-after in 2002 by packagePRINTING readers. Top 10: Prepress Equipment 1. Creo—PDF-based packaging workflow Prinergy Powerpack, copydot scanning systems, film imagers, and CtP devices 2. Agfa—Workflow and color management systems including the AgfaScan XY-15 Plus, Sherpa 43 Inkjet system, and Lithostar plates 3. Kodak Polychrome Graphics—Offers Digital and conventional plates, film, and proofing and color technologies including the Kodak Approval XP unit 4. BASF—Offers Nyloflex® and Nyloprint® equipment combinations for processing photopolymer flexo and letterpress plates and sleeves 5. MacDermid—Broad range of sheet, liquid, digital, and water-wash photopolymer plates, platemaking equipment, sleeves,

Industry experts advise printers on maximizing die life before, during, and after usage. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor COMMODIFICATION OF MUCH of the die industry has obvious drawbacks for die suppliers, who face intense price wars and shrinking profit margins. But viewing these precision instruments as expendable, interchangeable goods may be eating away at the printer's purse as well. Damage sustained to a die through improper maintenance procedures or careless handling tactics will shorten its life expectancy substantially. Pre-purchase and set-up There are a host of possible missteps in die handling/usage, but shortened die life usually can be chalked up to one of

What products and companies were most sought-after in 2001 by packagePRINTING readers? Here's the scoop on the year's most-wanted technologies, ranked below based on responses to both editorial features and display advertising.*** TOP 10: Prepress Equipment 1. Anderson & Vreeland—Photopolymer plate processing systems, rubber plate molding presses, flexo platemaking materials, digital imaging systems and software 2. DuPont Cyrel—Photopolymer plate and prepress systems, including Cyrel FAST thermal technology 3. BASF—Nyloflex® and nyloprint® equipment combinations for processing flexo and letterpress plates and sleeves 4. MacDermid—Sheet, liquid, digital, and water-wash photopolymer plates, platemaking equipment, sleeves, and plate mounting systems for flexo printing 5. CreoScitex—PDF-based packaging

The 2001 TLMI Awards bestows its highest stamp of approval on a flexo process promotional label by Valley Forge Tape & Label. by Susan Friedman, Editor PEEL AWAY The trappings, and the big winner in the 2001 Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) Awards looks a little familiar. "Once again, flexography took Best of Show," enthuses Steve Lee, VP/director of technical support at RotoMetrics and chair of the TLMI's Awards Competition Committee. Valley Forge Tape & Label's coup of this year's Best of Show honor, achieved with "Stamp Out Hunger," a flexo process promotional label, follows Adams Label & Tag's capture of top accolades