Join us for the FTA Great Lakes Fall Luncheon meeting.

We are please to invite you to the next meeting of the FTA Great Lakes Networking Group.  It should be another informative meeting.  Please mark your calendars and be sure to attend.




Where: Kempsmith Machine Company

1819 South 71st Street

Milwaukee, WI  53214

Click the following link for a Google map.
http://www.kempsmith-dl.com/contactUs.php


When: September 21st from 1:00-4:00 PM
Registration starts at 12:30 PM.

* Brett Burris, Kempsmith's company President, will describe their portfolio of converting solutions including printers, tinters, die cutters and shaftless unwinds.

* Danielle Jerschefske, North American Editor for Labels and Labeling Magazine will present:

·         2011 North America Label Converter Survey

·         Sustainability – crucial modern business pillar

·         Interactive Packaging – the new way of communicating to the consumer

* Victor Gomez, Durst Image Technology VP of Label Product Sales will talk about incorporating digital printing technology into a flexo operation.

Food and refreshments will be provided courtesy of FlexoWash.

Door Prize:  “My Passport”l 500GB External USB 3.0/2.0 Portable Hard Drive  courtesy of Durst Digital.



Cost:  $10 for FTA Members / $20 for non members / Complimentary for Students and Faculty payable at the door in cash or check made out to FFTA.  All proceeds raised go to the FFTA scholarship program. 

This is not your grandfather's flexo

I ran across this discussion thread and had to put in my 2 cents worth.  You are encouraged to share your thoughts as well at http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&gid=129119&discussionID=64043108&sik=&trk=mywl_artile&goback=.mwg_*2_1.

If linecount equates to print quality, why not use 1500 LPI for everything?

The biggest drawback of using higher than necessary LPIs is the potential difficulty in getting adequate ink density from the smaller cells. The old rule of thumb was to run anilox at 4 x the plate screen. As plate quality has improved in its ability to carry and maintain smaller highlight dots, the standard has shifted to 5 x the plate screen in order to avoid dot-dipping. This has had a tremendous impact on print quality due to the vastly greater concentration of ink droplets applied over the surface area of the print. While higher linecounts enhance image resolution and highlight fidelity, they do so at the expense of ink carrying capacity. As long as you can achieve your desired spectro readings, you should be in good shape.

If you are struggling for color and find your operators cranking up the blade pressure, using excessive impression, or playing mad scientist with the inks, your cell capacity is not adequate and the negative ramifications will far outweigh the advantages of the higher linecounts. Excess blade pressure can cause premature wear to the doctor blades and anilox rolls. While blades themselves may not be all that expensive, the downtime to change them out frequently can add up to a sizable drop in productivity.

The anilox rolls represent a much larger investment, but long before you get to the point of replacement, you will find yourself pulling the rolls out more and more frequently for cleanings in an attempt to coax out a little more ink on press. Because cell carrying capacity diminishes as the rolls wear, it becomes more and more difficult to achieve color. Excessive and/or improper cleaning can also deteriorate the cell structure leading to ink pooling across multiple cells rather than contained within them. This results in inconsistent ink delivery and dirty plates, which only gets worse with subsequent cleanings.

Excessive impression causes plate dots to flatten out which magnifies dot gain and quickly damages highlight areas of the plates. Plates are also relatively inexpensive, but the downtime resulting from frequent (unnecessary) plate changes can decimate your press productivity.

Unnecessary ink manipulation can lead to premature drying, (which in turn can plug anilox rolls), color shifts during the print run, and unnecessary waste during subsequent make-readies trying to match color on similar jobs.

As you can tell, use of higher than necessary linecounts is a double edged sword. If you are able to carry adequate color without throwing off the rest of your process, you will benefit in terms of print quality. If you have to use improper settings or techniques to try to "force" out enough ink, you are asking for trouble.

Are you looking to add some press capacity? We have some excellent used equipment available.

Save money with these gently used equipment specials:

• 22" 8 color film-capable Comco Proglide w. Kempsmith flat die cutter, 12-32' repeat, UV + hot air dry

• 22" 6 color film capable Comco Proglide w. full rotary diecutting, batching, stacking, hot air dry

• 16" Comco Commander w. 10-24" repeat, rotary diecutting, UV + hot air dry

• Mark Andy 4150-20 8 color w. UV + hot air dry.

• Arsoma EM 280 8 color

• Arsoma EM 280 10 color features two screen units, hot foil, UV and air dry.

• Need a wider web machine for folding carton? We have a 26" Omet semi-servo machine ready to work.

We can also help with used turret rewinders.

If you have any questions, please email david.lanska@yahoo.com.

D.J. Lanska and Associates and ACT Global Systems; providing printing and converting solutions that make good business sense.

DJ Lanska and Associates LLC joins forces with ACT GLobal Systems

D.J. Lanska and Associates LLC entered into an agreement to represent the ACT Global Systems portfolio of new and used printing and converting equipment. We offer the finest in servo driven flexible packaging presses, specialty label presses, matrix removal systems, and custom solutions.

Serving the flexible packaging market in North America and abroad since 2006, ACT Global Systems was founded by Flexographic Technical Association Hall of Fame member, Denny McGee. Denny got his start in the industry in 1973 as a Territory Sales Rep for Dupont. He worked up the ranks to Sales Manager and on to National Accounts Manager before leaving to start Olympic Label Systems. Three years later, he jumped at the opportunity to represent Nilpeter as North American Sales Manager, representing both flexo and UV rotary letterpress technologies. In 1989, he joined Gallus until their break-up with Comco, at which time Denny headed up Comco’s North American sales team. After 15 years at Mark Andy/Comco, Denny moved on, eventually teaming up with Multi Print Systems (MPS).

A consummate professional, Denny was recognized as recipient of the FTA’s highest honor when he was inducted into the FTA Hall of Fame. With over 30 years of industry experience, Denny understands the needs of flexible packaging printers and converters.

In founding ACT GLOBAL SYSTEMS, Inc., Denny brought together a tremendous portfolio of equipment solutions for the label, carton and packaging industry. ACT GLOBAL represents several manufacturers of fine new machinery whether you need an entry level narrow web inline or CI label press, a modular folding carton press, or a servo driven multi-platform flexible packaging press. We also offer Custom Solutions to add capability and functionality to your equipment.

If you are looking for a high end flexible packaging press, MPS (Multi Print Systems) offers several platforms loaded with innovative features engineered to increase quality, repeatability and productivity. MPS offers a full line of servo press models from 10” to 26” width with optional hot foil, cold foil, screen and delam/relam capabilities.

•Digitally controlled independent servo technology drives anilox rolls and plate cylinders. EC model has additional servos for anilox-plate impression. EF presses also have servo driven plate-substrate impression.

•Automatic preprogrammed print control. Once settings are optimized, they are stored for easy retrieval on subsequent print runs.

•Seamless integration of converting functions.

•Exclusive rail system provides for one-person installation and flexibility in placement of converting elements.

•Unique drop-in rotary screen print capability.

•Web transport is independent from print , providing superior platform stability that reduces web distortion.

•The impression rolls free-wheel, allowing for superior registration regardless of material thickness.

•Hard-rubber covered impression rolls provide added cushion for the plates, requiring less plate impression and in turn reducing dot gain, while adding considerably to plate life.

•Joystick operation with MPS’ exclusive “I-Control” reduces set-up time, insuring operators are informed of system status and giving them control of the process from each print station, as well as from the master control panel.

Available in 11, 13 and 16” web widths, the MPS EC press features our exclusive I-Control technology combined with automatic print control to provide simplified setup and superior reproducibility for short runs. The EC comes standard with MPS’ unique rail system for flexibility in converting operations. Also standard is the Heat Management System with driven chill rolls. The EC servo technology drives plates and anilox, and provides digital servo control of plate to anilox impression.

Providing exceptional print quality, flexibility and phenomenal productivity, the EF press is an outstanding platform for efficiently converting a wide variety of substrate materials. Available in web widths from 11-20” and repeats of 10-25”, the EF provides greater setup efficiency and reproducibility, with the addition of digital servo control of both anilox to plate and plate to substrate impression.

The ability to synthesize print quality with ease of setup and converting flexibility is truly the hallmark of MPS press design. By separating web transportation from print, MPS presses assure unmatched registration control. Our rail system allows one-person placement of converting functions such as hot and cold foil, screen and delam/relam components. Combined with the I-Control interface and automatic print control, the EF is one of the most versatile presses on the market. If you need to reduce setup waste and raw material consumption, improve quality and repeatability, and offer enhanced features and effects on a wide range of substrates, then you need to invest in the MPS EF.

In 22 and 26” web widths, the EXL press brings capability and versatility to a whole new level. Whether you are printing the most demanding quality labels, flexible packaging or cartons, the EXL, with integrated MPS Crisp.Dot Technology, reduces dot gain in highlights while providing superior solid ink coverage. With a lengthy list of standard features, including Automatic Print Control, I-Control, Heat Management, Converting Rail System, Lean Inking Technology and many others, the MPS EXL provides an incredibly stabile, efficient and versatile platform for UV flexo printing. For more information about MPS equipment, please give us a call.

Located in Denmark, BPI Flexo produces a line of custom CI and inline flexo presses tailor-made to suit your needs. This allows you to get the flexibility and performance you need without paying for extras that you don’t need.

BPI’s Sinus II enclosed chamber blade systems are compatible with all other brands of flexo equipment. Offering simple hand adjustments allowing for quick and easy color changes, Sinus II systems allow for higher press speeds with improved print quality, resulting in a typical 6-10 month ROI.

With over 1600 installations worldwide, Etirama offers a full line of specialty presses for the label market. All of Etirama’s equipment is manufactured in Brazil. The company’s demo center in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, UK. has three of the latest machines available for testing and training. Following is a list and description of press models currently available:

ECO

‘Entry Level’ 4 Color C I Press

Troqueladora 250/350

Blank label die cut machine equipped with double die cut station

Miditape 160

Self adhesive tape flexographic printing press

Stamp Foil

Flatbed press, for the production and finishing of labels Servo controlled substrate and foil pull, re-insertion sensor on both substrate and foil, and touch screen control.

Flexo Premium 250/350

Flexographic C I Press Maximum Printing width 250mm or 350mm Maximum repeat length of 500mm

FlexoWine F250/F350 Superfull SV

Flexographic C I Press 6 Colours + UV Varnish Widths 250mm or 350mm Servo controlled tension, touch screen operation, 4 die slots, balanced air interdeck dryer.

FlexoWine UV Modular

‘ALL NEW’
‘Amazing Value’
7 Color, Full UV In-line Modular Flexo Press

Flexo Premium FC 250/350

Flexographic C I Press Reel to Reel for Sausage Case Printing

Superflex Elite

In-line Modular Flexographic Label Press Hot Air or UV Drying Web Widths 250mm and 350mm

Canadian Primoflex Systems produces a line of modular, automated, servo-driven flexo presses available in 22” 27” and 32’ web widths, engineered to provide fine carton print quality with extremely short make-readies.

§ CPS’ unique Primographic print technology features a triangular based print head for uncompromised plate cylinder positional accuracy , all but eliminating plate bounce issues.

§ The large diameter, gravity fed anilox eliminates ghosting and ink starvation , even at higher press speeds.

§ Programmable dynamic impression settings provide job-specific profiles to insure repeatable impression. The result is consistent density and dot gain.

§ Integrated registration control combined with outstanding web transport control insures the highest quality image reproduction.

§ Exclusive to Primoflex, the Masterchange system allows for a total change of anilox and ink in less than 2 minutes while the machine is running production. Combined with the cartridge table, make-ready and clean-up can be accomplished off-line, drastically reducing down time.

Everything we do at CPS is centered around quality and efficiency. Featuring a robust frame and interchangeable modules, CPS LP series die cutters support all types of rotary die tooling. All components are quick release for ease of change to get you up and running quickly with minimal waste. Rapid change-over, precision gap adjustment (.0025mm increments), off-line die make-ready and servo driven outboard strippers are just a few of the features that set CPS equipment apart. The CPS Auto Die Loader securely mounts and precisely registers flexible steel dies in one simple motion.

Matho offers modular solutions for matrix removal, cutting and disposal. Manufactured in Germany and serviced world-wide, Matho systems provide flexibility, efficiency and reliability for the label, paper, carton, food, packaging, wood, textile, non-woven or plastics industries.

Our Cuttobag-Series are compact, stand-alone systems that extract, crush, collect and bag matrix and trim materials.

Cuttopress-Series units are available as stand-alone or central collection systems and offer the added functionality of baling or collection in bulk containers.

We also offer cutting units, the Cuttopipe-Series, that can be economically added into your new or existing matrix removal systems as an environmentally friendly method to reduce matrix volume.

Custom Solutions

At ACT Global, we have the resources to provide package printing solutions custom-engineered to meet your specific needs and budget. We have the expertise to help with equipment installations, integrations, retrofits and upgrades. We provide additional printing/converting capacity and capabilities through a comprehensive portfolio of services:

•New equipment customization

•Retrofit/reconfiguration of existing machinery

•Installation of additional printing decks/stations

•Combination printing solutions

–Integration of variable repeat offset print decks

–Variable data/ink jet

–Rotary screen

Our ancillary equipment lines include rotary die-cutting/stacking systems for in-mold labels, turret rewinders, closed chamber doctor blade systems and matrix removal equipment. If you are looking to augment your process with a good piece of used equipment, ask us about our fleet of used equipment.


Contact us today at 262-343-2440 or david.lanska@yahoo.com.