Consumables-General - Plates

WILMINGTON, Del.—On Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 at 1:00 p.m., DuPont Packaging Graphics will present a “Back to Basics” Webinar, which is designed to help flexo platemakers produce consistent, high-quality printing plates.

Company: J M Heaford Limited, www.jmheaford.co.uk Product: Flexo Plate Mounter Proofer (Viper) What is it?: A device with cameras for attaching flexo printing plates to print sleeves in register using microdot technology and, afterwards, making a printed proof of the plates to confirm register, separations, and plate quality. Features: • High magnification cameras, servo drives, and PLC control • Simple touch-screen operator interface for ease of use • High-quality construction for extreme repeatable accuracy, low maintenance, and a long operating life. Company: DuPont Imaging Technologies, packaging-graphics.dupont.com Product: Cyrel Microflex 850 mm What is it?: A plate mounting system, developed for

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The 2008 PIA/GATF InterTech™ Technology Award recipients have been revealed, and Kodak is pleased to announce that the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System is one of 10 technologies to receive this prestigious annual industry award. First begun in 1978, the PIA/GATF InterTech Technology Awards recognize excellence in innovative technology for the graphic communications marketplace. “The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System represents an exciting new approach to imaging flexo plates that delivers extremely high resolution and outstanding consistency,” said Doug Edwards, General Manager Prepress Solution, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “Several of our customers have already captured awards for work produced with the

BRYAN, Ohio—U.S. Veteran and printing industry representative Howard B. Vreeland, Sr., 87, of Bryan, died Friday, June 13, 2008. Born on October 4, 1920, in Caldwell, New Jersey, Vreeland was the son of John Henry and Lulu Belle (Ward) Vreeland. He graduated from Kingspoint Merchant Marine Academy in Long Island, New York where he received a degree in Hydraulic Engineering. A Navy veteran of WWII, he married Alice T. Kennedy on December 14, 1945 three hours after his college graduation, in Long Island, New York. She preceded him in death on July 6, 2002. Howard was the Owner and Chairman Emeritus of the Board

Digital imaging of flexographic plates has brought about many improvements when compared to conventional platemaking methods. Sleeve technology offers further refinements to the process. Advances in flexo sleeve technology are yielding opportunities in markets traditionally dominated by offset and gravure—markets such as folding cartons and shrink sleeves. Lightweight, durable, easy-to-handle flexo sleeves not only work well with less expensive substrates such as tissue, napkins, and paper towels, but also provide excellent laydown of solid and metallic inks in packaging applications. Flexo sleeves are being used in two ways: as carrier rolls for flat, imaged plates mounted on the surface or with the image

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA) presented the 2008 FPPA Technology Innovator of the Year awards recently at its annual meeting in San Antonio. The Kodak Flexcel NX Digital Flexographic System was one of three products to earn the prestigious award from FPPA, marking the second time that Kodak has been honored by the association for its offerings in the flexographic marketplace. Designed to recognize outstanding achievement within any production or administrative area of the prepress process, the FPPA Technology Innovator of the Year awards began in 2001 and are highly regarded within the flexographic community. Products or technologies that take an

Trends in flexo platemaking reflect two things: the dwindling number of users who favor analog workflows over digital and those who already have made the transition to digital—and never looked back. Trends in digital flexo platemaking shake out between users who prefer solvent-based workflows and those who have already made, or are seriously contemplating, the switch to thermal. In the world of flexo platemaking, options are proliferating. By the time “The Greatest Show On Earth” rolls in and out of Düsseldorf this spring, flexo shops will have more choices than ever to help them achieve the results they want. Advantage: Digital According to Ian

LUXEMBOURG—Flint Group announced the formation of its new global business unit, Flint Group Flexographic Products. It combines the Flint Group Printing Plates activities with the rotec sleeve business, which was included in the Flint Group acquisition of Day International in 2007. Flint Group Printing Plates supplies photopolymer plates for flexography and letterpress. rotec is a supplier of sleeves and adapter systems for flexo applications. “The new business unit is a logical step following the acquisition of Day International in 2007 in order to create real added value from the combined businesses,” commented Charles Knott, CEO of Flint Group. “This is what our customers expect

HUDSON, N.H.—Presstek, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of digital offset business solutions, announced the filing of a Complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC) against Israeli printing plate manufacturer VIM Technologies, Ltd. and its manufacturing partner Hanita Coatings RCA, Ltd. for infringement of Presstek’s patent and trademark rights. Presstek also sued three U.S.-based distributors of VIM products: Guaranteed Service & Supplies, Inc., Ohio Graphco Inc., and Recognition Systems Inc., as well as one Canadian based distributor, AteCe Canada. Presstek is seeking, among other things, an Order from the ITC forbidding the importation and sale of the VIM printing plates in the United States;

HUDSON, N.H.—Presstek, Inc. has announced the formation of three strategic business units designed to increase organizational focus on key business areas. Each strategic business unit is led by a Group Product Director. New strategic business units include: • Digital Printing Business Unit, which includes digital presses, consumables and workflow • CTP Business Unit, responsible for digital platemaking systems, consumables and workflow • Traditional Business Unit, consists of polyester CTP platemaking and pressroom supplies “As Presstek’s new management team looks at the addressability of our solutions to the worldwide print market, it became clear that we could benefit by aligning our resources into three