CMM Showcase

As always, companies exhibiting at CMM International 2005 put on a display of impressive new products and technologies for converters and package printers.

A SUCCESSFUL TRADE show is always measured on an individual basis—foot traffic, promising leads, or signed contracts. While attendees weren't exactly carried down the aisles in a swell of people, CMM International 2005 still offered a wide array of new products and technologies from the exhibiting companies. The following is a small sampling of what CMM International had to offer.

Company news

Enercon and Ciba Specialty Chemicals announced a joint development agreement which will combine Enercon's surface modification Plasma3™ technology with Ciba's new nano-grafting PrimeIT™ technology.

Comexi is continuing its strategy to be a leading supplier in flexible package converting with the announcement of a new alliance with Acom. Comexi will serve as the sales arm for Acom rotogravure presses everywhere except Germany and Brazil.

The Danish company Vetaphone announced expanded activities in North America. Vetaphone has established a close association with two well-known companies within the industry—Kroenert Corp. and Matik North America. Vetaphone designs and manufactures a complete line of corona discharge surface treating equipment that can be used for both narrow- and wide-web applications.

Products on display

Creo introduced new versions of its integrated workflow solutions for the packaging market. Prinergy Powerpack® 3.0 has an enhanced user interface, rules-based automation, PDF Compare, and PDF Merge. Pandora® 2.8 enhances Mark Creation and Editing along and provides the ability to dynamically render text, font size, color, and overprint characteristics.

TORI-FLEX™ from PlastiSoft is a business software package that is designed to integrate and automate processes specific to flexible film and packaging.

Collaborative Studio's intraFLEX is an ASP-based, on-demand software solution designed to meet the needs of flexible packaging and roll label converters. It includes customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, financials, and workforce management. The ERP is integrated with Esko-Graphics' BackStage™ workflow automation server.

Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) incorporated its color management tools and RealTimeProof online proofing solution with the Artwork Systems Nexus V8 Workflow. This delivers improved color conversions, color matching accuracy, and improved stability in color output on supported CTP and proofing output devices.

The Gold Series Magnetic Rotary Hot Stamping Cylinders from Bunting Magnetics are custom-made from solid brass for ideal foil stamping heat transfer. Gold Series cylinders allow precise registration and fast set ups right on the press.

Bosch Rexroth's SYNAX 200 delivers ShaftlessDriven™ technology to printing and paper converting machines. It can replace mechanical drive components with high-precision digital drives and logic for greater flexibility and efficiency.

Bobst Group displayed its new Rotomec RS 4004 gravure printing press that's equipped with interchangeable trolleys and an off-line, dedicated washing system.

The EASY-SET impression-setting system from Windmoeller & Hoelscher automatically sets impressions with the push of a button.

Unilux introduced the Lith-O-Light 20 AC, the newest member of its LOL Style IV family. The new system allows operators/inspectors to use one light for any speed line for optimized viewing conditions.

Sun Chemical introduced SunSharp™ 1190 for non-laminating surface printing. It includes high-strength process and spot colors, has good ice-water crinkle resistance, and provides high gloss.

Omet introduced its Hot Foil-Hologram Insetting unit. This system can deposit up to six hologram images (even with independent pitches) in-line on Omet's Gearless Shaftless Varyflex press.

Fife Corp. announced a new series of guiding systems called the D-MAX Series. These units have the controller and guide in one unit, and offer an optional network version that allows multiple guides to be controlled from a single operator interface.

MAGPOWR's new Spyder-LC is a closed-loop tension control system for brakes, clutches, or drives in unwind, rewind, or point-to-point applications.

With the Easy Glider knifeholder from Tidland, the holders move to their new position with a light touch and use a regulated air processor to quickly and precisely engage the blades against the lower slitter.

FEVA offers its Fevaflex Flexographic Printing Presses that provide quick-change cylinders, infeed and outfeed web guiding, and video web inspection.

NDC Infrared Engineering introduced its new SPOT-ON™ X-Ray coating weight gauging solution for accurate differential coat weight measurement. Also featured was the company's SR710 Infrared Gauge for high-precision measurements of thin coatings on metallic substrates and foils.

Ashland Specialty Polymers & Adhesives exhibited new adhesive products, including the PURELAM®, a solventless, polyurethane laminating adhesive that offers excellent optical clarity and fast curing at room temperature.

Energy Sciences Inc. showcased its EZCure™ electron beam system that offers high resistance to chemical, scuff/scratch, and abrasion; no VOCs; and wide gloss and matte ranges.

Rayven Inc. announced the introduction of a new line of custom transfer adhesives called the 5000 Series. Rayven will launch 2- and 4-mil transfer adhesives immediately. The 5000 Series provides high adhesion to a variety of surfaces.

Martin Automatic exhibited its MCB Wide Web Butt Splicer, a heavy-duty splicer for wide paperboard processes. It includes a Martin roll handling and loading system and a reliable, patented rolling sheer splice unit.

Allison Systems showcased a wide assortment of doctor blades available to converters and printers. The high performance products include Superhoned® Gold, bright carbon steel, blue carbon steel, stainless steel, high glass composite, graphite composite, polyester, low wear poly, and lubricant poly.

Sensor Products unveiled the IDEA® real-time nip analysis system. Designed specifically for nips up to 70˝, it evaluates small nip rolls in real time and has a portable, battery-operated electronic sensor element and software package that calculates nip width between rolls.

Max Daetwyler Corp. showcased its new D-Line of coated doctor blades, specifically for use in flexo and gravure printing applications to reduce score lines and streaks and to enhance blade, anilox roller, and gravure cylinder life.

ISRA Vision Systems displayed its portfolio of products, which gives printers and packagers 100 percent control over each step in their processes. One showcased technology was the Data Mining Software, a tool to complement the Advanced Surface Inspector System that integrates with Crystal Reports for custom statistical reporting.

TAKK Industries' IonStorm XR is a shockless, pulsed DC extended-range ionization system that eliminates static from a distance of more than 36˝. The IonStorm XR offers maximum ion stream adjustability to provide the exact level of static elimination needed.

Advanced Vision Technology (AVT) displayed its automatic inspection systems and quality assurance solutions for packaging and label printers, including its PrintVision/Jupiter. This system is AVT's leading platform for process control and press control solutions.

Fischer & Krecke featured demonstrations of its latest technology available with gearless, sleeve-based Flexpresses, including Flexpress View, a Web-based service and maintenance system.

Harper Corp. of America spotlighted its new Harper® XLT™ Anilox and Coating Roll System—a laser engraving system that improves consistency, optimizes cell profiles, and further cauterizes ceramic and new line screen/volume combinations.

BST Pro Mark introduced the PREMIUS digital 3Chip, the first web inspection and print process management system to use a digital 3 chip camera. The system integrates digital camera technology, a digital interface, 3 chip resolution, and an extra large field-of-view.

An alliance between Comexi and Acom brings Acom's RG Platinum Gravure Press line into Comexi's sales mix.