Units launched at Labelexpo Europe 2005

The I-COMBAT UV-flexo press features conventional printing plate technology with co.'s Flower™ open print deck design for speeds up to 500 fpm. It is suitable for printing widths of 14.5, 17 and 22.5 in. The Athena™ UV-flexo press with sleeve technology was designed for the wider-web packaging industry and can work with widths of 17, 21, 25 and 29 in. Both are fully automated and were launched at Labelexpo Europe last fall.

GIDUE SPA , 39/02-966-8181, www.gidue.com

Changes all knifeholders in 5 seconds

The QUICK-SET automatic slitter positioning system maximizes time savings by moving all knifeholders simultaneously. This system can reportedly change all holders in in-line operations, such as extruders or paper machines, in 5 seconds with a position accuracy of +/-0.012 in. It is available with any of co.'s shear or crush-cut knifeholders.

DIENES CORP. USA , 800/345-4038, www.dienesusa.com

Facestocks fit for digital printing

Co. adds two new label materials for digital printing: a clear polypropylene for the "no-label" look and a silver PP for an economical, mirror-finish label. These optimized facestocks and topcoats give a bright, vibrant result for the digital printing environment, co. says.

3M CO. , 800/422-8116, www.3M.com/converter

Views cells on ceramic or chrome rollers

Co. has added the Heavy Duty Roll Microscope for viewing cells on ceramic or chrome rollers to its product line. The microscope can also capture pictures of the cells and store them on a computer. Along with the ability to measure depth as an optional feature, it can be used to view and photograph printing plates and printed substrates.

MAX DAETWYLER CORP. , 704/875-1200, www.daetwyler.com

Combines line control and data monitoring

The Integrator™ PRO control system combines total line control and data monitoring into one highly functional information system. Equipped with Black Clawson's Integrator technology and co.'s EPIC control system, the unit lets operators monitor various processes, track quality standards, and collect and trend historical data from a PC.

DAVIS-STANDARD LLC , 315/598-7121, www.bc-egan.com

Now with ASME certification

Co.'s heat transfer rolls are now stamped with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' BPV code as an added assurance that the rolls have been designed and manufactured according to ASME standards. Heat transfer rolls are classified as "pressure vessels" and can pose a risk to human safety if not properly made.

WEBEX, INC. , 920/729-6666, www.webexinc.com

Unites extruder and winder

The "Calandrette" is said to be an ideal alternative to a standard calender for the production of small- or medium-sized batches of polyvinyl chloride calendered film. It includes a two-step extruder concept, a dual-turret winder and temperature gauge. The system is available in two sizes for varying thicknesses of PVC film.

BATTENFELD GLOUCESTER ENGINEERING CO., INC. , 978/281-1800, www.bge.battenfeld.com

Print-repeat lengths to 16.5 in.

Co. demonstrated its new Combi 2000 offset label press at an open house held last fall. The press features one cylinder size for any print-repeat length up to 16.5 in., a servomotor-controlled paper feed and a control panel for changing label formats.

ETIPOL A/S PRINTING TECHNOLOGY , 45/43-523-511

Changes trolleys in a single operation

The RS 4003 MP multi-purpose gravure press for flexible materials is a trolley-type press and can perform a complete trolley changeover in a single operation. Equipped with co.'s electronic shaft (gearless) system, it features a Bobst S 5100 register control via the High-Dynamic-Interface. Web widths of 33.5, 50 and 59 in. are available with running speeds up to 1,150 fpm.

BOBST ROTOMEC SPA , 39/0142-4071, www.bobstgroup.com/rotomec

Speeds up to 2,000 fpm; precise coatweight control

Co. adds a developmental scale model of its new Vari-Coat Gravure, a pressurized gravure-coating system, to its Process and Technical Center at its headquarters in Germantown, WI. The system has precise coatweight control over a range of coating thicknesses without the need to change the gravure cylinder. The tech center unit can demonstrate process speeds up to 2,000 fpm. A hot-melt version of the system is also available.

FAUSTEL, INC. , 262/253-3333, www.faustel.com

Cost-effective foil replacement

Co.'s metallizing process on standard 48-gauge PET film is said to give the film barrier properties similar to foil. The substrate provides converters and packagers with a cost-effective foil replacement without the tear outs, creasing, long lead times and flex-crack pin-holing that are often inherent in converting thin-gauge foils, co. says.

CELPLAST METALLIZED PRODUCTS, 416/293-4330, cmp.celplast.com

Captures damaging metal fragments

The ProMag magnet with bracket is a 1-in. diameter, grade 35 neodymium rare-earth magnet designed to hang on the inside of any size ink pail or bucket. The magnet captures the metal that wears off doctor blades that may go into the ink before it circulates back to the anilox roll. The ProMag hangs on almost any size pail without the need for tools and is made of all stainless-steel components.

HARPERSCIENTIFIC™ , 866/588-8686, www.HarperScientific.com

Water- and solvent-based

Several new inkjet inks fit a number of applications from packaging to outdoor signage. Co.'s Weather bright Plus™, for uncoated vinyl substrates, uses eco-solvent pigment and requires no ventilation. Printers and converters can choose from water- and solvent-based inks, pigment, dye and UV-curable inks. Custom formulations are offered.

GRAPHIC DIGITAL™ , 800/450-4465, www.graphicdigital.biz

For web widths up to 144 in.

The Neutro-Vac web cleaner incorporates a vacuum system and static control to clean and neutralize static charges from web materials. Made of a vacuum-hood assembly connected via ducting to a dust collector, it can be designed with many configurations and in widths from 2 to 144 in. The Pneumatic Lift option allows the hood to be raised away or adjusted up to the web by moving a lever. It moves the hood up to 4 in., accommodating applications where extra room under the hood is required for threading the web.

SIMCO INDUSTRIAL STATIC CONTROL , 215/822-6401, www.simco-static.com

For fine-line gluing

The Robond Pro™ system is a microprocessor-controlled fluid application system for fine-line gluing and precision-fold softening. It features automatic fluid flow control, motorized remote valve positioning and contact nozzles that offer reduced web friction and clogging. The nozzles reportedly prevent the buildup of foreign matter while gluing.

VALCO CINCINNATI, INC. , 513/874-6550, www.valcocincinnatiinc.com

Formulated for heatset-web printing

The ARROWEB™ offset ink system is specially assembled to work with heatset-printing applications. It incorporates propriety resin chemistry, which can reduce the number of ink sets required on the pressroom floor, co. says. These materials are said to have exceptional ink transfer and gloss, consistent color control and reproduction.

FLINT INK CORP., 734/622-6362, www.flintink.com

Bundled with enhanced ruler system

Co. now bundles its Eye-One Pro spectrophotometer-based, color-management solution with a new, enhanced ruler and carrying bag. The ruler glides over the printed test chart and the Eye-One spectrophotometer does not make actual contact with the chart, avoiding possible smearing or scratching. The improved Eye-One now reads color patches twice as fast as the original design, says co.

GRETAGMACBETH AG , 41/1-842-24-00, www.gretagmacbeth.com

Scuff-resistant without overprint

Co.'s super brilliant opaque white ink for UV-letterpress applications is said to be both scuff- and rub-resistant without the need for a clear overprint. Developed as an alternative to screen ink, it runs well on paper and synthetic label stocks.

UVITEC , 800/478-6330, www.uvitec.com

With improved whiteness

Co.'s coated one side label and envelope papers have been improved to a new standard of whiteness and brightness. They are now available in 120 whiteness and 90 brightness. The new papers are ideal for sharp, high- contrast images, co. says. They are designed for offset lithography, flex-ography and gravure printing.

INTERNATIONAL PAPER , 203/541-8000, www.internationalpaper.com

Has full PLC controls

The Model RES 4747 is a hot-air impingement dryer designed for film-based substrates such as microporous filtration membranes. Special features include two zones with top and bottom heating, a special tenter frame and full PLC controls.

RADIANT ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. , 800/486-7786, www.radiantenergy.com