In for the Long Haul

Of course, in-line is still best-suited for longer-run work. Though Matt Tielkemeier, Dri-Tec's VP/GM, notes in-line's potential for short runs will grow with the development of robotic presses, he believes, "Robotic coating and laminating equipment won't be available for several years." For shorter runs, and, as Tielkemeier relates, for truly "exotic" applications, off-line coating is usually the system of choice.