Flex-pack converter Packaging Personified, Carol Stream, IL, will install a new 8-color, gearless, CI-flexo press from Spanish supplier Comexi, S.A., this spring. Engineered for quality printing with longer repeats lengths and wider widths, the press design features station components outside the frame, away from the inking system, resulting in a much cleaner operation, says Comexi.

Lutherville, MD-based EarthShell Corp.'s manufacturing partners placed orders Jan. 2 for new equipment to manufacture EarthShell products—potato-starch-based flexible packaging and foam-analog materials. Equipment builder DT Industries, Detroit, says the new machinery orders total $7.5 million; it is estimated that the new equipment will produce more than $15 million in annual sales. Delivery and installation of the new lines are expected during the second quarter of 2003.

New dieboard and corrugated samplemaking equipment from Data Technology Inc., Wilmington, MA, has recently been installed by industry suppliers and converters. Worcester, MA-based Rand Whitney Container purchases the first M3000 high-speed corrugated samplemaker with foam-cutting capabilities. A high-quality packaging converter, Rand Whitney is part of the Kraft Group, Boston. New Generation Steel Rule Die Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, installs a combination flat and rotary dieboard laser system. Experienced in producing tooling for various materials, New Generation serves both Canadian and US customers.

Converting-machinery maker Bobst SA's laboratory facility in Lausanne, Switzerland, recently installed a two-lamp unit from Prime UV Systems (Carol Stream, IL) to cure UV coatings on a Bobst Lemanic 650 flexo press. The powerful Prime UV system cures UV coatings at up to 900 fpm. By installing the unit, Bobst adds superior UV coatings with high-gloss, chemical and abrasion resistance to its process and increases press productivity, the supplier says. The Prime UV system uses the Smart 2100 Control Platform, which provides flexo printers with complete computer control of the UV lamps via on-screen diagnostics and schematics.