Solution provider Graphic Republik is extending its service offering to printers. The company has become the first UK based supplier to achieve the Flexographic Technical Associations (FTA) FIRST implementation specialist certification.
The training programme, which was undertaken in 2015, is aimed at helping printers improve quality and consistency within their production cycle via the implementation of process control.
Managing director Steve Donegan said, ‘Each year our sector invests large amounts of money in new equipment. Whilst each company has its own unique production workflow, there are many elements that can be standardised and more importantly, measured and controlled. The objective of a FIRST implementation specialist is to work with flexographic printers, analyse their workflow, identify potentially troublesome issues within the various departments and implement process controls. The technology and tools exist – the aim is to offer the industry a service that can bring both theory and practice together to improve production.’
The FTA FIRST technique communicates and supports the methodical approach to process control, optimisation, fingerprinting, characterisation and process improvement. With a firm understanding and application of the FIRST methodology, flexographers can identify potentially troublesome issues, benchmark press performance, utilise statistical analysis to maintain optimal conditions, perform accurate device calibrations, identify improvement opportunities and preserve stable conditions for repeatable results.
