Bobst North America and APR (All Printing Resources) played host to the sizable group of American label and packaging converters who attended the narrow-web open house held in APR’s technical center in Glendale Heights, Illinois.
The center serves as demo facility in the U.S for BOBST narrow-web inline UV and water-based flexo presses and multi-process printing and converting lines.
A well-known distributor of flexographic products, APR regularly holds forums and open houses to inform and educate the industry on the latest products and technologies on the market. This latest event was prompted by the installation, earlier this year, of a BOBST M1 inline flexo press that joined the BOBST M5 line already in operation in their Technical Center.
“BOBST narrow-web equipment ranges from presses dedicated to label production, like the M1, through to highly customizable multi-process printing and converting lines that, alongside labels, can be configured for flexible and carton packaging production, like the M5,” explains Dave Nieman, president and CEO of APR “By having both presses in our technical center, we are able to show solutions with capabilities that are suitable to a variety of budgets and applications requirements”.
To complete the overview, topics covered in the presentations included cost/benefits assessment of UV technology and ink types, the new capabilities of high resolution imaging, the importance of process control at every stage of the production process from pre-press onwards, and advanced anilox cleaning and inspection technology. These topics were explored and discussed by experts from APR, GEW, Flint Group and Eaglewood Technologies respectively.
The M1 was the first machine demonstrated. This highly productive, economic press affords the flexibility of multiple press configurations through a wide range of accessories for production of PS labels, wet glue labels or two-layer coupons. The 14” 8-color M5 at the open house featured all the technical solutions and accessories that enables it to be a best-selling press in its market, including the renowned FlowerTM print head technology that ensures stable register and consistent performance in quality, and the SnowBallTM system that delivers the fastest waste stripping without breaks.
The second demo featured the M5, a full servo press suitable for handling all types of substrates, from self-adhesive stock through to glossy paper, unsupported film, aluminum foil, laminated tubes and light cardboard up to 350 gsm.
The printing demonstration highlighted the unique performance of the BOBST Digital Automation concept, which turns flexo printing and die-cutting into a fully digital workflow integrating the printing and converting technology from pre-press to the finished reel. The full automation of the inline process and the use of 7-color ECG deliver the assurance of label or packaging color-consistency and a highly profitable press operation.
The 8-color M5 in demonstration was fitted with GEW Rhino units capable of running either conventional mercury arc lamps or LED UV lamps, and the demo was carried out using LED technology.
“The great turnout confirms the importance of being close to the markets we serve and making our equipment and expertise available during trials wherever possible” commented Todd, Blumsack, Vice President, Business Unit Web-fed, Bobst North America Inc.
“Such events are a great opportunity not only to present new technologies, but are also an opportunity to learn from and connect with the market, to share and gain from best practices along the production value chain, and in the flexo shop production floors”, he concluded.
