eAgile Inc., an RFID specialist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, has invested in a new Nilpeter FA-17 to meet specific process needs within their pharmaceutical and nutraceutical product portfolios.

Nilpeter’s FA-Line is built around the modern print operator, with an intuitive user interface and fully mobile print controls. The FA allows printers to enhance the performance of their press with value-adding units, and application and automation packages, according to application needs and budget. All main components are produced in-house, as well.

”Our search started back in March, after we identified a need to add new flexo processes – we have primarily been a digital print house up to this point,” says Zach Wagner, process engineer, eAgile. ”We specialize in RFID-products – primarily for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers, where our new FA is used to produce labels with RFID inlays. The medical industry demands very tight tolerances, which the FA-17 is able to achieve, in addition to instant re-register with pre-printed material.

”Fortunately, we were able to visit Nilpeter in Cincinnati before the strictest COVID-19 restrictions were imposed, and we got to see their incredibly accurate manufacturing processes - the CNC-machines, the framing and mounting, the assembly lines, etc. From start to finish a very consistent process, which confirmed our belief that Nilpeter and the FA-17 would meet the high standards and requirements from our side of the table,” Wagner adds.

eAgile’s new FA-17 was installed in October, with manufacturing, assembly, installation, and training, safely navigating the COVID-19 restrictions set by local and state governments. In addition to its visit to Nilpeter facilities in March, eAgile reports a number of virtual conferences, Zoom meetings, phone calls, and similar, where various details were discussed.

”We also made the usual rounds, asking our friends and partners in the industry, and Nilpeter has a great reputation – from the machinery to the service. I was also very impressed with Nilpeter’s ability to maintain such an ambitious timeline for delivery of our FA-17, considering the unique circumstances of the past few months. It was a positive experience, and I’m very excited about what our relationship with them will bring in the future,” Wagner concludes.

The FA-17 fulfills eAgile’s production needs for now, but according to Wagner, the company will turn to Nilpeter for future upgrades and new additions.

“Working with eAgile has been rewarding on all fronts. The Nilpeter FA-17 literally sold itself as the perfect fit to achieve all of eAgile’s needs. Initially, we encouraged eAgile to execute their due diligence and allow an "apples to apples" comparison with any flexo manufacturerer, that claims their machine is as robust and capable to deliver the tight registration and automation of the Nilpeter FA-Line," Walt Mesik, senior sales consultant, Nilpeter USA, states. "When it was time to prove the Nilpeter FA-technology, the FA-17 checked all the boxes for eAgile from manufacturing to assembly to specific performance testing. The Nilpeter FA-17 provides the state-of-the-art platform that is synonymous with the eAgile product line. It is safe to say the Nilpeter/eAgile partnership was meant to be."