Drying, Curing & UV
CHANGEOVER TO UV HAS PAID OFF Looking back, the decision to opt for UV printing has proved itself a milestone in terms of heat and energy. Thanks to the reduction from seven curing ovens at that time to today’s two and two multicolour printing presses, Hoffmann Neopac has been able to achieve a noticeable decrease in energy consumption. As a Swiss company, the business benefits from the fact that the Swiss VOC incentive tax, which has to be paid when using solvents, ceases to apply when VOC-free UV inks are used.
ONE LESS PRINTING OPERATION Hoffmann Neopac has developed an innovative process for direct metal decoration, made possible by using IST’s UV system. By effectively controlling the lamp systems, the surface energy of a tinplate sheet is influenced in such a way that printing takes place without first applying a primer. The company received a European- wide patent (EP 2 428 359 B1) for the process in 2012. The company in Thun is the only user to date to carry out direct metal decoration based on this method.
CAREFREE PACKAGE Ease of use, alongside output control, was a further deciding factor in favour of IST Metz for Hoffmann Neopac. Quick lamp changes also played an important role. Moreover, only original UV lamps from IST Metz are used in Thun today. The company has found that its service life is higher by a factor of 5 to 7 compared with contract manufacturers. This is one of the reasons why we have now entered into a virtually all-round, carefree package in the form of an individual service contract with IST Metz. This includes the complete replacement of the lamps once a
12 February 2019
year as part of preventative maintenance. Thereafter, the system is again in operation 365 days around the clock. Unplanned stoppage times to replace individual lamps are therefore avoided. After replacement of the UV lamps, Hoffmann Neopac measures what output they still have after a year. The measurements of the replaced lamps generally lie in the region of 92 per cent – a value that is able to guarantee completely reliable production. Regular and proper cleaning of the lamps and the reflectors has a major role to play in achieving the long service times. The UV systems use URS-type reflectors, which demonstrate a high level of reflection in the UV range and prevent an excessive increase in temperature. IST Metz achieves both through a multilayer structure that is manufactured in the vacuum process. Reflectors are replaced at Hoffmann Neopac if a rise in temperature in the coolant circuit indicates a reduction in reflective power.
METAL ENVIRONMENT For branded companies, it is essential that a packaging supplier offers attractive options that they are able to play off against their competitors. Tinplate cans generally give products a higher intrinsic value than plastic containers, for example. Metal decorating requires considerable technical expertise to achieve a comparable image with print and finish effects with other types of packaging, eg. collapsible boxes. Hoffmann Neopac supports agencies that have little experience with metal packaging using design consultancy. Alongside a high quality print image and different varnishes, customers also value the textured effects, in some cases, in the form of embossments. In tinplate packaging, they represent a
particular endurance test for the layers of ink in the embossed areas. The technical equipment in production has a key role to play, Michael Wagner explains. “Our machine arrangement concentrates
on UV technology, allowing a variety of print and finishes, with which we are also able to meet our customers’ unusual requirements in top quality. We have already been able to win prizes in a number of competitions with them,” he says.
RECYCLABLE METAL PACKAGING As a manufacturer of metallic packaging, Hoffmann Neopac points to the beneficial properties of the material for recycling. As it is endlessly recyclable, it enables a sustainable use of resources and helps to avoid waste. The EU Commission only talks about ‘permanent packaging material’ in the case of two materials. One of these is metal. So that end customers are able to familiarise themselves with this benefit, the company provides information on its own website (
metaliseternal.com) about the durability of metal as a packaging material. Even though Michael Wagner expects
there to be fewer large printing presses on the shop floor in the future when it comes to digital printing, they will not disappear entirely. Sooner or later, digital printing systems will be used and, with them, LED curing. IST Metz is one of the providers of such systems. This trend would see a significant boost, according to Michael Wagner, if the manufacturers of printing and LED systems together with the ink industry were to develop an integrated overall system. This could save users from learning the hard way over the next few years.
hoffmann-neopac.com
convertermag.com
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