Add prismatic impact to packaging

Radiant Light Films for labeling, packaging, in-molding applications and others combine layers of polymeric materials with different reflective qualities to add a prismatic impact. The colors shimmer and shift with changes in viewing angle, light source and environment. The film can be embossed, die-cut, surface treated, dyed, coated or laminated with adhesive, printed and extruded into plastics. Its non-metallic construction is said to eliminate corrosion and conductivity concerns.

3M, 800/257-0646, www.3m.com/converter

With color-matching capabilities

Co. showcases its FinalProof GxT digital halftone proofer with special donor colors, including silver metallic and opaque white, said to allow for extensive spot-color rendering. The eight-color library of donor material, in addition to traditional CMYK, also includes green, orange, red and reflex blue. Custom libraries can also be created.

FUJIFILM GRAPHIC SYSTEMS USA, 630/259-7200, www.fujifilmgs.com

With hot- and cold-foil units

Featuring a water-chilled transport roller with a slide-out UV system for material temperature control, the Beta 330 eight-color UV-flexo press has a low-tension, servo-infeed system that allows it to handle a wider range of materials from films to carton stock, co. says. The press has in-line hot- and cold-foil units, web cleaning and corona treatment units, and in-line lamination, embossing, punching, diecutting, sheeting and perforating units.

EDALE LTD, 44/1794-524-422, www.edale.co.uk

Eliminates crushed edges on shrink-sleeve labels

The Doctor Machine Inspector rewinder is designed specifically for shrink-sleeve applications and complements co.'s Seammachine. Incorporating co.'s patent-pending oscillation technology for faster speeds and its nip roll system to eliminate crushed edges, it has speeds up to 1,000 fpm, features touchscreen operator controls and a two-motor AC Vector drive system.

STANFORD PRODUCTS LLC, 618/548-2600, www.stanfordproductsllc.com

Increases UV systems' efficiency

The URS® reflector, a new generation of cold mirror reflectors, is designed to increase the efficiency of UV-curing systems. Approximately 20 percent more UV energy reaches the substrate for the same electrical output, co. says. The new reflector combines the advantages of aluminum and CMK (cold mirror) reflectors. Only the UV energy is reflected; the IR energy passes through the dichroic coatings into a water-cooled profile where it is removed.

IST AMERICA CORP., 630/771-0590, www.ist-uv.com

Proofs dot-for-dot on any substrate

The Approval NX digital color imaging system, along with co.'s Prinergy Powerpack, enables packaging printers to produce dot-for-dot, color-accurate packaging mockups and proofs on any substrate. The Approval NX digital halftone proofer can reportedly simulate all production processes and generate multiple-spot, specialty, corporate and brand colors, including metallics. It is also said to control density and dot gain.

KODAK, 866/KODAK-33, www.graphics.Kodak.com

For surface pinning

The 7430 charging bar is designed for surface pinning, temporary bonding, product stacking, interlayer adhesion and other web-handling and control applications. The unusual spacing configuration of its tungsten electrodes enables it to achieve 20 percent higher charging currents. Special electrode resistors help prevent the formation of high-voltage arcs.

ION INDUSTRIAL, 888/310-3334, www.ion.com/industrial

For presses without tower coaters

The SLIC+ (Small Light Independent Coater) allows converters to print and coat on the last print unit of a sheetfed press, giving them an alternative to buying a new press with tower coaters. A chambered anilox coating system converts the printing unit into a coating unit. The SLIC+ offers an additional blanket cylinder that is servo-controlled for quality performance on flood- and spot-coating jobs. It can be used on long perfector presses to print and coat both sides of a sheet in one pass.

ARADIANT, 717/838-7220

For high-speed p-s labeling applications

LumiSil LO, a universal release liner base paper, is designed for automated, high-speed pressure-sensitive labeling operations. It features an optimized opacity for compatibility with label dispensers using optical sensors. It offers good dimensional stability and silicone holdout, curing and anchorage properties, co. says.

STORA ENSO GLOBAL SPECIALTY PAPERS, 715/345-8060, www.storaenso.com/specialtypapers

Supports Intermec printers

The EASYLABEL 5 software for bar code and RFID label design and printing now supports a full range of Intermec thermal-transfer printers: PM41 300 dpi and PM41 203 dpi RFID printers. It also supports Avery Dennison, Datamax, Printronix, Sato and Zebra printers.

THARO SYSTEMS, INC., 330/273-4408, www.tharo.com

With pressures up to 22,000 lbs

AccuNip® nip stations can be used for laminating, thermal bonding, web heating/cooling and web pulling and squeezing. They can be configured vertically or horizontally, and customized with doctor blades, dual-roll gear drives, heating or cooling rolls, and adjustable nip pressures and gaps. These stations are designed for nip pressures up to 22,000 lbs.

PFE ROLLS, 800/828-8482, www.pferolls.com

With 3:2 and 2:1 gear ratios

Slide-Rite® gear boxes now offer 3:2 and 2:1 gear ratios. The gear boxes consist of two 45-degree helical gears that mesh at right angles and turn power at 90 degrees. The slide-through shafting allows the device to slide axially along keyed shafts in either direction. This allows for easy installation and fast changeover.

TOL-O-MATIC, 800/328-2174, www.tolomatic.com

Ideal for short-runs

The LX810 color label printer prints full-color photos, graphics, text and high-quality bar codes for short runs of product and box labels. This inkjet-based printer prints scratch- and smudge-resistant labels on semi- and high-gloss substrates that are highly water resistant. It can print labels from 0.75 x 0.75 in. to 8 x 24 in.

PRIMERA TECHNOLOGY, INC., 800/797-2772, www.primera.com

Starts/stops without need for cleaning

Co.'s 1310 inkjet printer now has a simpler user interface, reducing operators' learning curve and training time. It is designed to start/stop without the need for cleaning, with an automated back-flushing nozzle that cleans itself at start-up and shutdown, even after idle periods. A heated printhead maintains proper ink viscosity. This system prints seven types of bar codes and other variable data.

VIDEOJET TECHNOLOGIES, INC., 800/843-3610, www.videojet.com

Rivals gravure-quality printing

The 10-color FLEXOELITE flexo press is the first press, according to co., to use gearless linear electromagnetic motors to control its 10 printing decks. All 10 print decks can be put into final register with no more than two revolutions of the central drum, reducing setup time. It achieves print accuracy of 0.1 micron, rivaling the quality of gravure. It can handle webs up to 80 in. wide at speeds up to 1,950 fpm. Winder options for the press offer roll diameters of 32, 40 and 60 in.

BATTENFELD GLOUCESTER ENGINEERING CO., INC., 978/282-9450, www.bge.Battenfeld.com

Economical non-wovens converting

A cost-cutting and performance improvement initiative for co.'s perforating and embossing rolls for towel, tissue and non-wovens has helped reduce the product cost by as much as 40 percent, without sacrificing quality or features, co. says. The perf-embossing rolls include sturdy roll-body and journal construction, precision engraving for exceptional pattern formation, chrome plating and polishing, dynamic balancing, phase-adjustment gearing, bearings and housings. The rolls are engineered to convert tissue, papers, textiles, films, foils and non-woven substrates.

INDUSTRIAL ENGRAVING CORP., 920/865-7304, www.industrial-engraving.com

With left-right-total output

In addition to displaying the total tension of a running web, the TI15 Tension Indicator includes a three-position left-right-total rotary switch to select tension values to be read out from either edge of the web. With input from load cells installed in the web path, the TI15 works by amplifying the transducer signal and displaying actual tension on a meter display. Zero-to-10 VDC output, proportional to tension, from each of its three channels may be used simultaneously for data acquisition or for an automatic control system.

DOVER FLEXO ELECTRONICS, INC., 603/332-6150, www.dfe.com

For rotary, platen diemaking

A new automated rule processor for cutting diemaking is engineered to handle both rotary and flat rule using notched and no-notch rule. The MR487-B for curved rotary rule allows bending, straight cutting, mitering and bridging for 3- and 4-pt 66/90 rule from 0.945 to 1.023 in. The Straight Rule Processor option adds the ability to cut, meter, bridge and mark bending points on straight rotary rule. The lean machine is said to be superior to other rotary benders and offers maximum flexibility in rotary rule processing.

KEN TECHNOLOGY, 866/4-PUNCHES, www.ameriken.com

Compatible with high-viscosity adhesives

Co.'s 900 series glue valves are all electric and are available for contact and non-contact, high-speed gluing applications. High-pressure capabilities insure they are compatible with any adhesive, including high-viscosity formulas, co. says. They feature a carbide tip plunger and ceramic seat that provide extended service life.

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

Fits flex-pack, label printing needs

The new Edelmann Graphics EVO-Print web press, specified as a “hybrid” machine, is equipped with a Martin Automatic splicer, six offset-litho towers, a flexographic unit, preparation for retrofit of gravure units, cold foiling, a delam/relam station, diecutting and rewind. Drying is provided by an interdeck UV system. It runs webs up to 19 in. wide with an offset print range of 11 to 24 in. at speeds up to 850 fpm.

MATIK NORTH AMERICA, 860/232-2323, www.matik.com

Low-platinum solventless silicones

Co. introduces eight new Syl-Off® Advantage Series solventless silicone-release coatings that reportedly give converters more ways to not only reduce their need for costly platinum catalyst but also improve processing, line speeds and release performance. These coatings are said to deliver high line speeds, reliability, robust cure below 35 ppm platinum and low misting with good coverage.

DOW CORNING CORP., 989/496-6000, www.dowcorning.com/psi