Supplier News - April 2012

Heat-Sealable BOPP Film

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.—Toray Plastics (America), Inc. has introduced Torayfan® F63W heat-sealable BOPP film, designed for improved bonding with a wide range of printing inks. The new film, developed for use as a print web, is especially well-suited for the use of white inks when opacity is desired. Torayfan F63W film also can provide end users and converters with increased manufacturing output since it has a low seal-initiation temperature (SIT) for lap seals that enables faster processing on high-speed form-fill-seal equipment. Applications for the new F63W film include salty snacks, baked goods, crackers, cookies, and confectionery items.

"The ability to manufacture a more attractive package and the capacity for greater output are a winning combination for the CPG and the converter," says Franco Chicarella, product manager, Torayfan Polypropylene Film Division. "Either one of those capabilities can help grow business, but to have both advancements available with one film can offer a significant competitive advantage."

Entry-Level Digital Imager

BRYAN, Ohio—The CDI Spark 2420, a new digital imager specifically designed for the tag and label market to simplify transition to a digital workflow, is now available from Anderson & Vreeland (A&V). A&V collaborated with EskoArtwork to develop this entry-level digital imaging system that offers the benefits of digital plates without the cost of additional features. These benefits include print quality rivaling offset and gravure, print consistency, faster processing, reduced costs, and improved sustainability.

"This small footprint CDI makes it easier to transition to digital platemaking. It's the right size with the right features at the right price," said Bill Bower, director of sales for Anderson & Vreeland.

The CDI Spark 2420 images a full size 24˝ x 20˝ plate of arbitrary thickness in 23 minutes. It images with variable resolutions from 2,000 to 2,540 ppi, and is capable of screen rulings up to 200 lpi, with halftone imaging from 1 to 99 percent.

VP Biden Visits PCT Engineered Systems

DAVENPORT, Iowa—PCT Engineered Systems welcomed Vice President Joe Biden during his visit to the Quad Cities. During the visit, Terry Thompson, PCT's president said, "Today serves as a wonderful recognition of the hard work our team puts forth every day. It's important to have a national focus on manufacturing and the role it plays in driving America's economy."

PCT Engineered Systems manufactures BroadBeam electron beam systems that are used in several industries, including the printing of food packaging, production of plastic films, and manufacturing of adhesive tape. Export business for PCT has grown substantially in recent years and currently accounts for more than 50 percent of total sales

100th LUX Installation

ATLANTA, Ga.—A MacDermid LUX® installation at OEC Graphics marks the 100th installation of the LUX Platemaking Process since its commercial launch in 2010. The LUX® Platemaking Process enables the production of flat-top dots on flexo printing plates, creating a smaller printed dot and increased print quality and consistency.

OEC Graphics, headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis., added the LUX® Platemaking Process to its production workflow in a number of its facilities. "Adding LUX flat-top dots to our product lineup puts us in a unique position to offer our customers unsurpassed performance and technology that can compete in any packaging market," said Brad Vette, corporate managing director at OEC.

MacDermid's LUX has been installed on six continents. "Given the tremendous interest we have seen with LUX, we are anticipating that we will install at least another 100 units in 2012," stated Pat Mullaney, global packaging group director at MacDermid.

APR Is Authorized 
Techkon Dealer

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill.—All Printing Resources (APR) and Techkon announced a new authorized dealer partnership in which APR will represent Techkon and its color measurement instruments, including the SpectroDens, SpectroJet, and SpectroEdge.

"We are extremely pleased to bring APR on board as an authorized dealer of Techkon products," says George Adam, president of Techkon USA. "All Printing Resources brings a unique expertise in the flexo marketplace, which is particularly well suited to our focus on providing the very best in instrumentation and solutions for the packaging industry."

"I'm excited about the upcoming opportunities with the Techkon instruments," says Richard Black, director digital solutions at APR. "The SpectroDens is by far the nicest Spectro unit I have ever used, plus it's compatible with SpotOn! Flexo." SpotOn! Flexo is a new pressroom software tool that flexographic press operators can use to target optimum density for spot colors.

1D, 2D Bar Code Verifier

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga.—Label Vision Systems (LVS®) has introduced the INTEGRA 9570 handheld linear (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) bar code verifier for ISO/IEC and GS1 standards verification. It can verify virtually any size bar code within minimum X-dimension parameters of 8.8 mils (0.223 mm) for 1D codes and 12.5 mils (0.317 mm) for 2D codes. It has a field of view of 5.4˝ in picket fence format and up to 12˝ in ladder format and is 21 CFR Part 11 Compliant.

Load-N-Lok Air Sleeves

BRADFORD, Pa.—The Load-N-Lok Air Sleeve System by Luminite ™ was developed to provide printers with increased flexibility and eliminate both the need for air mandrels and the requirement that sleeves need to be the same length as printing mandrels. Benefits include faster makeready, increase printing speeds, multiple lane printing and re-positioning, and consistent digital in-the-round laser-engraved image surface. Re-positionable Load-N-Lok sleeves eliminate plate breaks and ensure no plate lift when compared to photopolymer plates. The sleeves are suitable for all substrates (film, paper, tissue, foils); across all industries (flexible packaging, folding cartons, p-s labels, shrink sleeves); and with all water-, solvent-, and UV-based ink systems.

Indian Distributor for Mark Andy Expands Operations

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—In response to strong demand for Mark Andy and Rotoflex machines, Mark Andy's long-time Indian distributor, Flexo Image Graphics (FIG), has expanded its operation. From its new office is in Patparganj Industrial Area, FIG will continue to provide sales, business development, spare parts, and service support for existing and new clients.

"FIG is a valued and trusted partner, consistently performing as a top global distributor," states Michael Russell, director of international sales, Mark Andy Inc. "Their expansive team of support personnel is extremely knowledgeable of our complete product line. Without FIG's commitment we would not have the significant success we have seen in India and south Asia. We appreciate their support and wish them well in this office move."

Commenting on the move, Gourav Roy, managing director of FIG said, "We are clearly delighted to have secured this new facility as it will leave us well-placed for future growth."

PEOPLE

WITNEY, UK—Meech International has appointed Donald Lewis as business development manager, responsible for the development and support of Meech in new market areas. He will specifically focus on the growth and increased sales of Meech's web cleaning products.

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Plastic Suppliers, Inc. announced that George L. Thomas has been named president/CEO. A 40-year veteran in the flexible packaging and converting industries, he will focus his efforts on continuing to build the company as a leader in manufacturing and distribution.

MILWAUKEE, Wis.—Label Traxx has named Keith Grimm as business consulting and audit specialist. In his new role, he will be available to assist Label Traxx customers with a wide variety of business and software implementation issues.

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I—Toray Plastics (America), Inc. announced the appointment of Chad Hedden to the position of director of sales for the Lumirror® Polyester Film Division. Most recently, he has served as national sales manager for the Torayfan® Polypropylene Division.

FORT MILL, S.C.—The Association of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL) elected officers and directors at its recent Management Meeting. Officers for 2012-2013 include: President Robert Connelly of Madico, Inc.; Vice President Dan Bemi of MEGTEC Systems Inc.; Treasurer Danis Roy of Terphane Inc.; and Past President Elizabeth Josephson of Applied Materials. Directors include: Ingrid Brase of Henkel Corp.; Dante Ferrari of Celplast Metallized Products; Doug Krasucki of R.D. Specialties; David Bryant of Vacuum Depositing Inc.; Mark Montsinger of Bryce Corp.; and Gary Phillips of Solar Gard Saint-Gobain.

TORRINGTON, Conn.—Dymax Corp. announced the appointment of Jon Galaska as territory sales manager in the Field Sales Department. He will provide key service support to manufacturers in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

RED BANK, N.J.—Diversified Graphic Machinery has announced the appointment of industry veteran Paul Peyrebrune as vice president of sales for its Manufacturing Division encompassing cold foil application equipment and Cast and Cure™.

IRVINE, Calif.,—Roland DGA Corp. has promoted several members of its sales and product management teams. Jaume Carrera is regional sales engineer, South America, in charge of servicing Roland's inkjet, cutter, and engraving sales channels. Fernando Catania is business development manager, Latin America, responsible for expanding Roland's UV inkjet printing and dental product businesses in all areas of the region. Julie Gederos is product manager, e-commerce, supplies, and accessories; and Adam Sebran is business development manager, rotary products, responsible for channel development for EGX engravers, MPX printers, 3D milling machines, and scanning devices.

SUPERIOR, Wis.—Charter Films, Inc. announced the promotion of Paul Piggott to customer service manager. pP