Flexo Technology
The new Mark Andy S9 is aimed squarely at fl exible packaging production
Where now for narrow web flexo?
Antony Cotton of Mark Andy UK assesses its future. ‘S
tand still to go backwards’ is as good an epithet for fl exo in the narrow web sector as any and is a refl ection of the need for all technology manufacturers to understand and respond to changes in market demand.
In the case of Mark Andy, the global pioneer of narrow web fl exo, the impact of today’s consumer shopping habits on demand for printed packaging is best refl ected by its product portfolio that spans the PRO Series at the aff ordable entry end, through the all-round workhorse of the Evolution Series, to the sophisticated and high-spec Performance Series.
Antony Cotton is Mark Andy’s Sales Manager for the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia
Across the three ranges, web widths vary from 13” to 26” (330mm to 660mm) with production speeds up to 1,000 ft/min (305 m/min) across a variety of substrates from self-adhesive stocks to unsupported fi lms, foils and light cartonboard in as many colours as needed with a comprehensive range of embellishing and fi nishing units for inline single-pass production. No other manufacturer has such a comprehensive off ering to the narrow and mid web fl exo sector. Not only is there is a Mark Andy press for all requirements, but the company goes to great lengths with its R&D to ‘future-proof’ its technology so that customers who invest in the latest press today have the facility to re-specify and upgrade their production line as demand changes, which it inevitably will. Typical of these changes is the growth in desired web width, from traditionally 13” and 17” (330mm and 430mm) and now onto 22” and 26” (558mm and 660mm) which is a sign the market is evolving from labels into areas of fl exible packaging. Where previously there was an obvious demarcation between labels and fl exible packaging, as inline presses grow wider and CI-fl exo presses become narrower, Mark Andy sees a clear overlap and one that favours single-pass capability on the short to medium runs lengths that are now so popular. In fact, it was this trend that encouraged Mark Andy to develop and launch its S9 press at Labelexpo Americas in 2024. Essentially a development of the well-proven Performance Series P9 platform, the S9 is ideally suited to the production of a wide range of fl exible packaging products, including shrink sleeves.
While many press manufacturers favour the bearer tool design, Mark Andy listened to its customers and came up with a sleeve tool design to match their needs, so the S9 off ers a commercially viable alternative for those looking for better operator ergonomics, especially in 22” and 26” web widths (560mm and 660mm) and capable of 1000 ft/min (305 m/min).
The S9 print station also off ers an upward web path creating almost unlimited drying/curing options and capabilities to best suit customers’ individual production requirements. The sleeved tooling allows for a very quick and easy changeover, which balances fl oorspace with operator needs in today’s often cramped production environments. Being servo driven also speeds up job changes and the ink chambers can be ordered with or without pumps to add fl exibility for short and long run lengths. As solvent-based ink is still widely used in fl exible packaging, the S9 print station has been designed with this capability in mind. For customers who prefer to use water-based inks, Mark Andy has high performance drying options that are both space and energy effi cient.
While continuing to support its vast global user base of label converters with both aff ordable and sophisticated narrow web technology, Mark Andy is alive to the opportunities available to translate its extensive knowledge of inline fl exo into wider markets, in both senses of the word. In an age when digital print technology often grabs all the headlines, it is good to know that Mark Andy continues to pioneer fl exo for the 21st century.
40
February 2025
www.convertermag.com
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