The seven-colour machine, which includes a reverse printing unit and double coater, is part of a major company-wide investment programme by Chesapeake across all its operations.
The installation follows that of a six-colour GLX40 Komori at Chesapeake's Leicester plant shortly after the GLX models were launched at drupa in May 2012.
In the last three years, Chesapeake has installed a range of presses including a six-colour Lithrone S40 from Japan-based Komori at its Nottingham, Leicester and Belfast operations, all of which, like Limerick, specialise in the production of cartons for the pharmaceutical and healthcare market.
Chesapeake Limerick operations director Morgan Fogarty says the GLX installed at Leicester has offered increased automation and environmental related improvements: "Its dual-camera inline quality inspection system, spot measurement and Komori's new spectral density control has helped to optimise product consistency," he says.
Morgan says the new reverse printing unit will enable Chespaeake Limerick to meet a "welcome" increasing trend of printing information such as user instructions on the inside of packaging.
"It reduces material requirements and ensures that vital instructions remain with the product," he says.
"Another continuously increasing design trend on OTC healthcare packaging to enhance shelf-appeal is the use of varnish coatings," he continues.
"The double-coater on the new press will allow us to combine matt and gloss varnishes and metallic finishes.
"It will also assist us in delivering many other special effects such as our own 3D Glint product, holographics and micro-embossing."
Chesapeake divisional sales and account director Bobby O'Connor adds: "Further development at Limerick is very much on our agenda, as is investment across the whole of Ireland. This demonstrates our unrivalled commitment to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical device markets in Ireland."
