Germany’s Sächsische Walzengravur GmbH (SWG) has invested in the new Kodak Flexcel Direct System for direct laser engraving of elastomer sleeves and plates.
The Frankenberg based company opted for the system following an in-depth evaluation, and will use it to enhance its already extensive CO2 laser technology.
The company has many years experience in direct laser engraving systems. Its product range includes gravure and embossing forms, mechanical cylinder and roller manufacture, print forms for rotating screen printing, and sleeves for gravure and offset printing and special applications. A quarter of the company’s turnover comes from flexographic printing forms, which it produces for packaging printing, special applications and decorative printing.
Sales director Jörg Günther said, ‘We have deliberately built up our direct laser printing technology over the years. The Flexcel Direct System is our latest addition and will play a key role in our strategy for using flexographic printing for high end packaging.
‘The high resolution and innovative beam shaping mean we can achieve a significant improvement in engraving quality compared with CO2 laser technology, and at the same time increase our productivity.
‘These new technological advancements are helping us to compete more effectively with other suppliers of flexographic printing forms based on photopolymer plates.’
Flexcel Direct is a complete system, with high end integrated components. The imager works with high resolution, energy efficient multi-channel laser diode technology (915 nm) and 1280 W laser power. The Kodak TIFF Front End Software with 3D workflow converts the single bit raster information into three dimensional engraving data, and into sleeves and plates with a system specific elastomer formulation.
It is this integrated approach that persuaded the SWG management team: ‘All in all, it is a more innovative concept than other systems on the market,’ continued Mr Günther.
‘Another important factor for us is the system’s reliability. And for added peace of mind, we can call on Kodak’s extensive service network in Germany.’
The company will use the system to produce flexo sleeves and plates for customers in the high resolution packaging printing sector. It aims to increase sales by around 30% with these printing forms.
SWG is also exploring where it can use the new direct laser engraving system for other applications. For example, print formes for special products – including printed electronic components – and manufacturing high end elastomer embossing forms.
