Labelexpo set to showcase latest technologies in style
28 July 2007Over 450 exhibitors will display the latest label technology at Labelexpo Europe, including RFID and intelligent labels, in-line decoration systems, multi process ink systems, high technology label films, sleeves and wraps
The second generation K-Series digital drop-on-demand print technology to be shown by Domino offers a number of design and performance improvements and flexible configuration for different applications. Where part personalisation is required, the K-Series can complement existing offset or flexo presses for overprinting of numbers, graphics, barcodes and addresses. For stand-alone applications in the label printing sector, the compact printheads can be easily accommodated on slitter rewinders. Heads can be stitched together to increase the print area as required.
Philip Easton, Domino's product director for commercial printing, says, “The K-Series was introduced to offer a commercially viable solution to satisfy the growing demand for fast printing of customised documents without compromising quality. Extremely user-friendly, the system can be set up in under five minutes and job changeovers can be achieved in a matter of seconds.” The flagship K200 printer boasts three times more print nozzles than its predecessor, offering higher resolution and throughput -316dpi printing at 90m/min is achievable and where line speeds are lower, resolution can be increased to 520dpi.
Alongside its K-Series technology, the company will demonstrate the A-Series continuous inkjet printer, and the Windows-based Editor GT, its in-line data management controller. With more than 80,000 installations worldwide, Domino's A-Series is claimed to be the world's best-selling continuous inkjet printer, capable of reproducing logos, barcodes/dot codes, automatic serial numbering/batch coding and real-time clocks onto substrates as diverse as food products, glass, plastic, metal and rubber.
EFI is ramping up its presence in the European label market with its range of integrated ink and hardware offerings for the industrial inkjet printing market. Labelexpo 2007 will see the full European launch of the Jetrion 4000 Series full colour UV inkjet printer. The system is said to be capable of producing quality full colour labels and flexible packaging "at an affordable price".
Esko Visualizer will be demonstrated live for the first time. The first result of Esko's co-operation with (and acquisition of) Stonecube (UK), Visualizer takes graphic information of a label or package, interprets or adds information about substrates, special inks and finishes, and delivers a variety of realistic moving, interactive 2D and 3D representations of the final product. Patented technology accurately renders the resulting effects from various paper grades and other substrates, types of inks including metallics, and finishes such as varnishes, foils, embossing, glitter and flitter, in a specific surrounding of choice.
The new Variable Data Printing module expands Esko's capabilities in digital printing for HP Indigo industrial presses. Developed specifically to be the first variable data printing system to fulfill the requirements of labels and packaging, the application works from one-up files, using Adobe Illustrator or Esko PackEdge, and focuses on variable barcodes, formatted texts and images.
ETI Converting Equipment will exhibit a Cohesio line to manufacture pressure-sensitive stock in house. At the show it will convert pre-printed facestock into a finished label, including in-line coating of silicone and adhesive, die cutting and finishing. “We thought it was time to show our equipment again to the market,” says Francois Bayzelon, the company's founder. “The technology has matured since we presented the equipment in Chicago a few years ago. Our production of clear-clear labels, as well as our system for in-line siliconizing, have never been presented in a show. Label printers are curious about it.”
UPM will exhibit its extensive range of base papers. Among the improved qualities and new products, visitors will learn of a major improvement for UPM Brilliant Pro. Enhanced surface properties are said to provide outstanding siliconizing performance for converters of filmic labels. The company is also complementing its selection of label face papers with several grades: the uncoated, surface-sized UPM Vellum and Jetlabel, together with the VIP tailored LabelCoat TT, as well as LabelCoat LC and coated fine papers.
During its recent open houses in Belgium, Denmark, the UK and Austria, Xeikon demonstrated the flexibility offered by digital printing for labels and packaging. At the show, the company is going to take its demonstration a step further by setting up a digital label factory. A customer will start by placing an order. Using Digiquote from Time Harvest, the printer then compares prices, taking into account the cost of inks and consumables, and discovers that the digital job is cheaper. The printer generates a quotation within a matter of seconds. This and other jobs are then created and sent to the Xeikon digital press from the Artwork Systems workflow system. Later, the customer places a reprint order through the website using the Deixis application. The Xeikon 330 starts printing the job, but with multiple variants such as suppressing the shipping information on some jobs but not on others.
Label converting systems manufacturer AB Graphic International will unveil a number of new developments. Among these will be the Omega FSR 410mm wide film rewinder and Digilam laminating system for flexible packaging applications; the FleyeVision 100% inspection rewinder and the Vectra turret with on-board inspection and automatic rejection of rolls containing errors. In addition, the new semi rotary screen printing option will be demonstrated on a Digicon S converting line.
The company will also exhibit the Glue-less SGTR turret, the Omega SR330 inspection rewinder with die cutting, and the Ti150 off-line RFID converter. Various lines from the Digicon range of converting machines for digitally printed webs will be demonstrated, including the new Digipharma inspection system for pharmaceutical applications. An adjacent stand will feature the Flytec range of automated camera inspection systems.
Developer of the Label Traxx print business management software Tailored Solutions will introduce Label Traxx version 5.1, with new features designed specifically for the European market. In one key addition, packaging waste is tracked in Label Traxx 5.1, in accordance with EU regulations regarding transit packaging. The new version logs all cores, cartons, liner material, pallets, and other packaging materials used for each customer, and provides an annual summary.
Enhanced customer relationship management tools enable version 5.1 users to import trade show contacts directly into the program and compare data with information in their current databases. Duplicate names are automatically eliminated, and marketing groups can be defined for targeted promotions.
A revised Stock Products module produces more accurate costing, based on purchase price or production costs. It handles both finished production goods inventory and purchased items which are resold. Stock inventory can be aged in the new version. Each product ticket calculates a gross margin, and shipments are traceable to specific production runs.
Contact details
Labelexpo Europe
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8846 2700; www.labelexpo-europe.com
AB Graphic International
Tel: +44 (0) 1262 671 138:
www.abgint.com
Domino Printing Sciences
Tel: +44 (0) 1954 782551;
www.domino-printing.com
EFI Europe
Tel: +49 (0) 2102 7454100;
www.efi.com
Esko
Tel: +32 9 216 90 32;
www.esko.com
ETI Converting Equipment
Tel: +1 450 641 7900;
www.eticonverting.com
Tailored Solutions
T: +1 414 774 9997;
www.tailored.com
UPM
Tel: +358 204 15 111;
www.upm-kymmene.com
Punch Graphix (Xeikon)
T: +32 3 443 13 11;
www.punchgraphix.com
