Digital printing
Litho laminating equipment
Litho laminated packs in B, E, F and N or G flute continue to show market growth as they displace unit containers, multi packs, shelf ready transit outers and continue to dominate the decorative sector. Strong marketing of laminated fine-flute packs is helping to fuel that growth – with the finer micro-fluted grades set to take an increasing market share. This is a trend that is being seen across the whole of Europe and USA.
Digital print technology has been available for over two decades and is in daily use worldwide to produce personalized direct mail, short-run signage, point-of-sale material, book and literature publishing and an array of other short-run print projects. With pressure and interest from brand owners and the associated design agencies, the era of digital print is dawning in the fibre-based packaging industries.
With the industry’s acceptance of digital pre-press systems it is no surprise converters now embarking on a digital printing transformation. However, the corrugated and folding carton converter needs to understand that while there is a wide range of digital print equipment being marketed, not all solutions will fit their business model. Do you opt for single pass or multiple pass technology – a question being asked by the corrugated sector. In carton terms, can I find an end to end solution that allows me to print, die-cut, fold and glue, near line?
Digital print technology is the perfect fit for creative packaging designs and execution. This is where the packaging industry can make the difference, thanks to digital print technology. Prototyping, variable data, versioning, ultra-short run for market testing – previously impractical or expensive with traditional print methods – are now a reality with the latest digital printing equipment and associated workflows.
The path to success in this field is long and complex. It is not just about buying a digital press and installing it at your plant. Before you do this, you need to look at your MIS and entire workflow. You need to look at how you will convert the printed sheets. Changes will need to be made to the way you work. Then, there is a change in sales attitude – this is not selling basic boxes, it is selling a value proposition. Finally, you need to change the attitudes of your operators, so they are ‘on board’ with your commitment to a new business model. Plenty to think about!
Folding and gluing
As shelf ready packaging becomes increasingly important, the need to provide the perfect packaging solution to differentiate the customer’s product becomes the more significant.
In addition to clever box design, high quality printing and accurate die-cutting, the speciality gluer is key to the boxmakers’ success in this sector of the value added market. The size and configuration of the gluer and the equipment or special devices available to mount on it will determine the size and styles of box that can be converted.
Beyond improving the function of packaging by gluing, labour savings for the customer by using pre-glued products is what the industry must strive to supply. So, in considering an investment in a new gluer what are the key factors to consider?
Ease of set up: This is a prime consideration – the minimum number of tools should be required to make a set up. Accessibility to all parts of the machine is also a major priority and space should be available between shafts to attach additional special attachments. It is also beneficial if peripheral equipment and attachments can remain on the machine when not in use, rather than be required to be removed and re-installed when needed.
Glue tank capacity: Should be large enough to supply additional heads.
Feed section: Should be adjustable for other than straight forms.
Run speed: The line speed of the machine will be affected by procedures being performed on the blank in the folding and gluing section. Speed is also determined by the speed of off bearing. The line must produce square bundles going into the strapper and there should be
adequate space around the take-off to discard rejects and handle their removal.
The technological development of speciality gluers has been significant over the last few years, with specific development of faulty box detection systems that can mark and eject a box at line speed to ensure the customer only receives perfect boxes. These systems can detect faulty print, die-cut, glue flap, glue application, fish-tailing and much more. The modern gluers can eject faulty items at line speed and with a closed data loop, tell the operator how many pieces need to be represented to allow for ‘in full’ batch delivery.
Litho-laminating of printed sheets to open flute single faced corrugated, or onto heavy cartonboard is an area of the market where the worlds of corrugated and folding carton converting merge. Packaging specifiers and carton converters realise that the added strength of microflute corrugated, coupled with the outstanding print quality of litho, offers the best possible pack strength and presentation.
Laminators are available as semi-automatic sheet to sheet machines – for single face laminating, spot and full labelling, dual label mounting and windowing – through to full in- line laminators akin to a short, narrow width corrugator.
Most modular machines offer the facility to install a basic machine that can be upgraded to full reel to sheet or in-line operations to cope with expanding markets. In-line registration systems ensure accurate lay-down of printed materials and sophisticated glue application means only the correct amount of glue is applied directly to the flute tips prior to sheet lamination. This prevents washboarding of the finished sheet.
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10. - 12. März 2015 • Messe München
Branchen-News | Industry News CCE
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