Innovations in web printing highlight converting expo.

The big news was in printing equipment at the recent Converting Machinery/Materials (CMM) Exposition in Chicago. A plateless electrostatic offset printer that uses digital image transfer and the first 10-color central-impression flexo press were the major innovations. Other news for processors of flexible packaging includes new bag machines, web guides, winders, and web-inspection systems.

PLATELESS PRINTING

A novel technology for short-run, full-color offset printing requires no films, plates, proofing, or press make-ready. The Omnius system from Indigo America, Woburn, Mass., transfers a color-separated digital image to an imaging roll via a laser. The laser "etches" an electrostatic pattern for each color onto the roll. The system then transfers a specially formulated ink that is electrostatically attracted to the image pattern. The etching for the first color is then erased by a high-voltage charge, and the image is redrawn for the next color. After collecting all the colors on the one imaging roll. they are deposited on the web substrate in "one shot."

The Omnius can operate at 120 ft/min and print 1000-2000 four-color images per hour. Imaging area is 208 sq in. The machine has a relatively small footprint. (CIRCLE 145)

What's said to be the first 10-color flexographic press will arrive in the U.S. in two to three months. The Ultraflex from Chadwick Inc., Green Bay, Wis., exceeds the previous maximum of eight colors for flexo presses and can be utilized for solid and process printing. It can be equipped with robotics for roll changes and has a new washdown system. (CIRCLE 146)

Changeovers are said to be quicker with the new narrow-web Simplaflex flexographic press from Italy's Bielloni Castello SpA. The press is designed for short runs. It has a side-hinged shoulder frame that swings open, giving quick access to the anilox/plate-sleeve cylinders. Available for six- or eight-color printing, the Simplaflex operates at speeds of 1000 ft/min and can handle webs as wide as 35 in. It is offered through Kampf Machinery, Nashville, Tenn. (CIRCLE 118)

Kidder-Stacy Inc., Agawam, Mass., showed its redesigned central-impression flexo presses for webs from 15 to 85 in. wide. Kidder offers its Gold Series in six or eight colors. Robotics provide quick changes of printing cylinders, and other design modifications allow for easier access to machinery. (CIRCLE 120)

Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp., Lincoln, R.I., showed its new Soloflex central-impression press, now available in eight colors and with a redesigned neck that allows for 25% faster printing--650 ft/min versus 500 ft/min with the previous model, which was only available in six colors. W&H improved the design of the door that locks the rollers in place, enabling faster printing speeds. The machine is geared for short runs and can handle rolls up to 23.6 in. diam. The Soloflex has a printing width of 24.5 in. Repeat lengths from 9.8 to 20.4 in. are available. One operator reportedly can complete a full-color make-ready in 3040 minutes. (CIRCLE 121)

As a result of the trend toward thinner plates for flexographic printing and coating, Stork Sleeves, Charlotte, N.C., has introduced 0.040-in. build-up sleeves that allow printers to use their existing plate cylinders. The nickel sleeve is said to be accurate enough for process printing and also resistant to cuts, cracks, or deterioration resulting from age or use. (CIRCLE 119)

NEW BAG MACHINES

Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering Co., Inc., Gloucester, Mass., updated its Century 2000 polybag machine with a servo-capstan motor to maintain more accurate tension and web stability in response to the dancer signal during high-speed operation. Battenfeld previously used d-c motors or a-c variable-frequency motors. The machine also employs tension controls between the nip and draw roll and uses electric-eye registration to keep the web exceptionally flat by scanning every bag, allowing the machine to come to a precise stop for each bag. The machine now has a smaller footprint. The Century 2000 series unwind stand has been redesigned to handle rolls up to 30 in. O.D. versus 24 in. O.D. in the past. (CIRCLE 149)

Amplas Inc., Green Bay, Wis., showed its new M1055-DT t-shirt bag machine at the the show. The dedicated three-up machine operates at speeds up to 220 cycles/min and handle widths of 1055 mm. The sealing and punching components are modular. (CIRCLE 150)

A stack folding feature is new for Amplas. It will appear at the K'95 show in Germany on a new four-up, bag-on-a-roll machine for trash liners. The MR1416S is a roll-up, servo-driven, convertible machine and operates at up to 350 ft/min. (CIRCLE 130)

FMC Corp., Green Bay, Wis., introduced a SR-1400 servo-draw bag machine designed for smaller converters that produce short-run specialty bags. The machine has split dual-lane infeed and dancer sections, dual-lane servo-driven draw roils, and a furl-width seal bar. The machine can be converted to a 56-tn.-wide single-lane machine. The operator can choose side-weld or bottom-seal/twin-seal bag production. The bottom-seal/twin-seal assembly provides individually controlled top and bottom heating, and is suitable for producing skirt-type seals used for flexible pouches and some specially bags. (CIRCLE 131)

WEB-GUIDING SYSTEMS

Horton Manufacturing Co., Inc., Minneapolis, is now offering self-contained web-guiding systems for narrow webs. The new equipment has a 9-in. roD face and its own amplifier and controller to guide material coming off the unwind stand. The system can be equipped with an LED, ultrasonic, or incandescent sensor. The smallest self-contained system Horton offered prior to this one had an 18-in. roll face. (CIRCLE 147)

Hydralign Inc., Walpole, Mass., introduced a brand-new positive-displacement web guide that also sends a tension-control signal to the drive motors. Using personal-computer software, an operator can set up parameters for guiding and tension control. The system can use ultrasonic, photoelectric, LED, or infrared sensors. (CIRCLE 124)

DEVELOPMENTS IN WINDERS

Battenfeld Gloucester updated its 1002-S high-speed center/surface winder with new a-c flux vector drives and a new servo index drive. The result is said to be higher winding speeds (1500-1800 ft/min) and more precise speed control and positioning repeatability. The winder can handle 12in. O.D. rolls. (CIRCLE 132)

Egan Davis-Standard, Somerville, N.J., showed its new Horizon series dual-turret winder for blown film. Its main feature is its horizontal lay-on carriage. The unit has electrostatic, tape-less transfer and can build 24-in. O.D. rolls up to 94 in. long with a winding speed of 500 ft/min. (CIRCLE 133)

Horton Manufacturing recently released the STC600 tension-control clutch, which is said to provide precise control at low torque. The system has no O-rings or seals, and its six air chambers of various sizes can be used in any combination to vary the torque. The design of the 6-in.-diam. rotor draws ambient air to keep the clutch cool. (CIRCLE 148)

WEB INSPECTION UPGRADES

Fife Corp., Oklahoma City, demonstrated two upgraded video web-inspection systems et the show. Its SuperVision system now has a fur-function remote control for wired or wireless operation and a smaller camera that fits in restricted spaces. (CIRCLE 151)

Fife's new-generation InSpectra video inspection system has touchscreen controls, image-processing functions, and automatic camera location programming. Color-to-color registration, bar code verification, and direct defect marking are features scheduled for release early next year. (CIRCLE 125)