Flexo Technology
competitive marketplace Phil Baldwin, sales manager at Mark Andy UK, tells Converter what is driving demand.
How would you assess the current state of inline flexo technology?
PB: Despite what you hear and read about the inroads made by digital technology in the narrow and mid- web sectors, demand for the latest flexo presses is holding strong – and this is both for entry-level machines, which are far from basic these days, right up to very high-spec production lines that offer so much more than just printing.
There is a feeling in some quarters that inline flexo has reached something of a plateau in terms of ease of make-ready, production speed, substrate capability and product enhancement, but looking at our order books I can see no sign of a slowdown in demand for more sophistication. This can be in the form of more automated production control, real time data capture, closed loop end-to-end control for order processing, new screening technologies for the printing plates, additional inline technologies and many more – the list goes on and in many ways is only limited by the imagination of the print buyer who is looking for new ways to promote a packaged product.
What are its main challenges in today’s market? PB: Right now, the biggest issue is the supply chain, and the time it takes to source essential items for the manufacturing process. Initially this was a factor of the global Covid-19 pandemic, but more recently the war in Ukraine, the blockage of seaports, and shortage of staff has led to a situation where demand exceeds supply, and realistically this is not going to change for the better any time soon. I can foresee something of a changed way of working for everyone in line with the new world order that is emerging. I’ve even heard that ‘JIT’ is a thing of the past – that may be premature, but we are all having to work within new parameters.
What is driving R&D in the narrow/mid web sectors? PB: Essentially, I believe it comes down to three main factors: the growth of digital print technology in the label sector, especially the 13” (330mm) web width; a lack of skilled operators driving the need for more automation; and environmental pressure to reduce carbon footprint.
The digital competition was initially strongest from toner-based systems, and the two main manufacturers in this sector are still powerful. But the fastest growth is being seen in inkjet, especially as digital/flexo hybrids. If you combine this with
downward pressure from the wide-web flexo sector, you can appreciate how competitive but also congested the mid-web sector is becoming for inline flexo – and it’s a real challenge!
Shortage of skilled labour is not new to our industry – or perhaps it’s not so much lack of skill as a change of skill required to operate the new generation of computerised technology. Either way, automation levels are increasing on the production floor, which benefits print quality, delivery times, and profitability. If you take one of Mark Andy’s top of the range Performance Series presses, it really is a matter of pressing a few buttons to achieve high- speed production of high-quality printed packaging, and all produced in one-pass – this is where the development is happening.
Regarding ‘green issues’, I’d highlight the growing use of LED UV curing in place of the mercury lamp systems of the past. More efficient, lower power consumption, less heat generated, longer lamp life – these are matters that the industry takes very seriously and will continue to do so.
How is flexo coping with the growing challenge from digital print?
PB: I think it’s important to understand that the two are complementary as well as competitive processes. For example, I don’t see narrow web flexo being killed off by digital in the way that letterpress was killed off by flexo. That was an issue of quality which flexo overcame in time. The digital versus flexo argument is more about their respective capabilities. The main change is that the days of 7” - 10” (180 – 250mm) flexo presses are gone, and in the future digital will most likely take the majority of the 13” (330mm) web sector too. Flexo is moving more into the mid-web market, and I see its future in the 20” - 26” (520 – 660mm) market and moving away from labels into flexible packaging because of the production speeds it can offer.
Looking ahead, I predict inline flexo will sit comfortably alongside digital, albeit with more ‘digitised’ controls than in the past - but it’s not going away any time soon. Converters are smart – they quickly appreciate the best technology to use for different products
and applications – flexo and digital both have strong and weak points – you just need to work out which is which!
Finally, how is Mark Andy supporting its user base in these changing times?
PB: If you embrace all that I’ve said so far, I believe that what sets Mark Andy apart from its competitors is its unique ability to offer an end-to-end solution from pre-press to finishing - a one stop shop, as the saying goes! Mark Andy pioneered the narrow web flexo market back in the 1950s and more recently led the way with its own in-house inkjet hybrid press. Both are sectors where we are acknowledged as market leaders for our depth of knowledge and real-world commercial experience.
Because of this, we can offer impartial advice on which technology is the right fit for any given converting requirement, and by having the ability to offer a choice in both digital and flexo technology, we can be objective in our advice as to which is the right machine for a customer to invest in. And I use the term ‘invest’ intentionally, because today’s sophisticated technology comes at a price – and the penalty for getting it wrong can be very painful. Another Mark Andy plus is that we offer lifetime support for all our presses. This allows us to help customers grow by starting with a simple press and trading up to something more advanced as needs change. Our online training portal has a whole library of videos and support material that allows us to offer customers 24/7 support wherever they are and whatever their problem – and all this is based on years of accumulated knowledge and first-hand experience that we believe is second to none!
Xwww.markandy.com Inline flexo technology in today’s
This Performance Series P7 flexo press in Mark Andy’s showroom is used to demonstrate the production of flexible packaging at 300m/min.
www.convertermag.com
June 2022
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