The first working demonstration of Tresu’s Flexo Innovator press was demonstrated to members of Danish Flexo Forum
On October 4, 120 members of Danish Flexo Forum visited Tresu’s technology centre to see the first public demonstration of the Flexo Innovator press from the company’s concept division.
The Flexo Innovator is the first of a series of modular presses designed to develop the market between narrow and wide web flexo presses to provide a flexible solution for converters who want the ability to help their customers consolidate their printing requirements.
The press on show was a seven unit 1100 mm web width version printing six colours (CMYK plus two spot colours) on 220 g/m2 cartonboard. During the demonstration, the press printed roll-to-roll at production speeds of up to 400 m/min while keeping accurate registration.
‘This was the ideal audience to witness our first demonstration,’ said Kim-Regin Sustmann, head of Tresu Concept. ‘The Flexo Forum members covered a diversity of expertise including pre-press, inks, plate and substrates, as well as packaging converters with experience of inline and CI flexo press production. The press performed well and we were delighted with the reception it received from our expert guests.’
The visit by Danish Flexo Forum included presentations about the company, its products and strategy and the Flexo Innovator, concluding with a visit to the factory and the running of the press.
The press is available in three models of 900 mm, 1100 mm and 1300 mm web widths respectively. They can handle a wide variety of substrates, including paper, paperboard, unsupported films, laminates and aluminium at press speeds up to 400 m/min.
The modularity of the presses enables the basic models to be extended and configured to meet the specific needs of the converter. For example, water- or solvent-based inks may be specified and there is also a choice of hot air dryers or UV curing systems.
Each unit is equipped with its own dryer and chill drum to ensure clean print and smooth running. Units 1, 6 and 7 of the press demonstrated included extended dryers to accommodate heavy laydowns and complete drying of coatings and varnishes. The ability to print on the reverse side of the web, without turning the web, can be included at any positions in the printing sequence, according to customer requirements. The reverse-side printing feature is included on units 1 and 2 of the demonstration press.
Tresu’s own technologies can be found throughout the press, such as the chamber doctor blade system that maximises ink usability and is engineered for performance and quick-changes. Print and anilox sleeves also facilitate accelerated makeready while ensuring high quality print, while a high end human machine interface (HMI) optimises operation.
‘The success of the demonstration to the Danish Flexo Forum will not only help us spread the word of the performance of this exciting new press, but it also means that we are ready to invite customers to submit jobs for us to trial and see their jobs printed,’ concluded Mr Sustmann. ‘The Flexo Innovator is entering final phase of its launch.’
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