Greg Hrinya, Associate Editor07.11.16
Omet, the Italy-based printing press manufacturer for labels and flexible packaging, showcased the iFlex label press at an Open House at its new facility in the Americas. The event took place on June 29 and 30 at the company’s North American headquarters in Elk Grove Village, IL, USA.
The 8-color UV flexo press with cold foil ran the jobs at 14.5” (330mm) web widths. The iFlex is designed to fill a gap in the market, providing medium-to-large label converters a one-pass option for just-in-time deliveries. According to Omet, the press, which is suitable for self-adhesive labels, can reach a growing need in the soft beer and drinks markets.
The iFlex press features iLight, a pre-register alignment aid for the print cylinders, and iVision, which features a smart camera for instant register correction. The iVision unit includes a display in the middle of the press for register control. In addition, iFlex can operate at speeds up to 630 fpm (190 m/m).
“This is the easiest and smartest way to set up a new job, thanks to the new exclusive features that have been installed on the iFlex,” explained Bill Mulligan, sales manager for the Northeast region, Omet Americas. “One of the most unique features on this press is iLight. It is the first ever laser application on a flexo printing press. It is a guiding light for instant print cylinder re-registration, and the operator just needs to follow the light of the laser and replace the cylinder in the correct position, simply by matching the laser beam. It is an extremely simple operation.”
The iVision’s scanned images reach the central display, where the register is manually set prior to the job reaching the end of the line. “With iVision, the operator can achieve perfect register for all of the colors on the machine, which means less waste and less downtime,” said Mulligan. “These simple operations can be carried out by all of our visitors, even if they do not know the first thing about flexo printing presses.”
The live demonstration featured self-adhesive label jobs, run with the help of several industry partners. RotoMetrics provided the flexible die and diecutting cylinders, Harper supplied the anilox rolls, GEW contributed the UV dryers and Kurz was responsible for the cold foil finish on the labels. Omet utilized a Fasson PP Top White substrate with S7000 adhesive for the substrate. The demo illustrated a quick job changeover from one label job to another.
The iFlex also displayed its special effects capabilities. The press is equipped for cold foil, varnish, laminated effects and creative diecutting options to make labels pop off the shelf. “The operator just needs to open the diecutting station and take the Easy Change Cart–while the press is running–and quickly insert it by means of this simple sliding device,” said Mulligan. “An operation that used to take 15 to 20 minutes now takes less than a minute.”
Omet Americas opened its new, larger facility in Elk Grove Village to meet growing demand in the North American market. According to the company, North American sales doubled in 2015, where it originally opened its doors in 2011.
“[Our products] deliver the highest level of quality, consistency and stability on every job for the entire lifetime of the machine,” concluded Mulligan.
The 8-color UV flexo press with cold foil ran the jobs at 14.5” (330mm) web widths. The iFlex is designed to fill a gap in the market, providing medium-to-large label converters a one-pass option for just-in-time deliveries. According to Omet, the press, which is suitable for self-adhesive labels, can reach a growing need in the soft beer and drinks markets.
The iFlex press features iLight, a pre-register alignment aid for the print cylinders, and iVision, which features a smart camera for instant register correction. The iVision unit includes a display in the middle of the press for register control. In addition, iFlex can operate at speeds up to 630 fpm (190 m/m).
“This is the easiest and smartest way to set up a new job, thanks to the new exclusive features that have been installed on the iFlex,” explained Bill Mulligan, sales manager for the Northeast region, Omet Americas. “One of the most unique features on this press is iLight. It is the first ever laser application on a flexo printing press. It is a guiding light for instant print cylinder re-registration, and the operator just needs to follow the light of the laser and replace the cylinder in the correct position, simply by matching the laser beam. It is an extremely simple operation.”
The iVision’s scanned images reach the central display, where the register is manually set prior to the job reaching the end of the line. “With iVision, the operator can achieve perfect register for all of the colors on the machine, which means less waste and less downtime,” said Mulligan. “These simple operations can be carried out by all of our visitors, even if they do not know the first thing about flexo printing presses.”
The live demonstration featured self-adhesive label jobs, run with the help of several industry partners. RotoMetrics provided the flexible die and diecutting cylinders, Harper supplied the anilox rolls, GEW contributed the UV dryers and Kurz was responsible for the cold foil finish on the labels. Omet utilized a Fasson PP Top White substrate with S7000 adhesive for the substrate. The demo illustrated a quick job changeover from one label job to another.
The iFlex also displayed its special effects capabilities. The press is equipped for cold foil, varnish, laminated effects and creative diecutting options to make labels pop off the shelf. “The operator just needs to open the diecutting station and take the Easy Change Cart–while the press is running–and quickly insert it by means of this simple sliding device,” said Mulligan. “An operation that used to take 15 to 20 minutes now takes less than a minute.”
Omet Americas opened its new, larger facility in Elk Grove Village to meet growing demand in the North American market. According to the company, North American sales doubled in 2015, where it originally opened its doors in 2011.
“[Our products] deliver the highest level of quality, consistency and stability on every job for the entire lifetime of the machine,” concluded Mulligan.