Dr. Norman Goldberg (left), executive board Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG and Søren Maarssø, director COO, Tresu Group
In a bid to optimise the performance of mounting tapes for high speed flexo printing, Lohmann and Tresu have entered a strategic partnership.
Tresu is supplying Lohmann with a flexo unit to simulate a range of mid-web printing situations. Meanwhile, the company will conduct research with Lohmann’s plate mounting tapes in its print tests.
The unit will be used for training and dry-run testing in Lohmann’s TEC Center, which is currently under construction at the company’s Neuwied headquarters in Germany.
The partnership allows both suppliers to improve the flexo printing process by monitoring the performance of the press and different plate and tape combinations with a wide range of hardness values.
The two companies will investigate ways to reduce vibration and improve stability, in order to reproduce high-screen rulings of offset quality, made possible thanks to innovations in printing form and imaging technology, with minimal dot gain.
Other areas of research are likely to include heat resistance, a concern when printing at high speeds during longer run lengths, elastic recovery and ease of mounting, removal and setting of printing pressure without compromising quality. The companies will also investigate how to minimise dot gain and maintain smooth, bounce-free production at high speeds over long periods of time.
Lohmann’s graphics segment provides single and double-sided adhesive tapes for assembling printing plates such as those used on a wide range of packaging materials from 5μm film to cardboard several millimetres thick. Its offering for flexible packaging and carton printing applications is the DuploFlex platemounting foam tape range. Available in different foam hardnesses, the tape easily regains original shape thanks to a closed cell structure and has high stable compressibility.
Dr Norman Goldberg, executive board Lohmann, commented, ‘The partnership between Tresu and Lohmann is the perfect answer to the ever more demanding flexo printing requirements. The printing industry especially is faced with highly competitive pressure: complex print jobs, increasing demands on quality and narrow time frames. This is a call for premium and efficient solutions and our collaboration will enable us to optimise our mounting tape products and to learn from each other. Together, we strive towards creating customised solutions for these increased demands.’
