Gerber Innovations

The folding carton printers interviewed for this story face mostly the same agenda of business issues as the managers of other kinds of printing businesses. Two items of special interest in their segment—competition from offshore packaging manufacturers, and paperboard supply—came up in the conversations.

News on suppliers to the packaging printing industry, including items on design firm Hornall Anderson, Esko/Germany-based Bischof + Klein, Color Ad Packaging, Technicote, Century Packaging, and GMG and matchmycolor LLC.

ATLANTA, Ga.—The 2009 IADD·FSEA Odyssey will be held May 6-8 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, Ga. to provide value-packed solutions for attendees.

ACTION ROTARY DIE Manufacturing and retooling of engraved rotary dies and print cylinders. Includes adjustable, air-eject, removable blade sheeter/perf, multi-level including slit over perf, and thermal cutting dies. Specializes in deep engraved dies. Introducing vacuum dies and molecularly enhanced tool steels. Write 387, Visit www.actionrotary.com Adams Technologies Automated steel rule bending systems, laser dieboard systems, routers for strippers and counter cutters, water-jet rubber-cutting systems. Write 388, Visit www.adamstechnologies.com, American Die Technology A complete line of CNC and EDM dies. Our cryogenic treating process extends the die life of the Marathon dies. The Thermalizer holds up to abrasive materials. To aid press operators, we designed

Rotary die makers are finding that package printers and converters want their dies bigger, better, and faster. IT'S NO SURPRISE in today's world when a customer asks for a new die, he wants it practically yesterday. Short of putting a drive-through window in their manufacturing plants, rotary die vendors are feverishly working toward finding new technologies and processes to help speed up turnaround time, from conception to delivery at the customer's front door. It takes two to tango The implementation of faster turnaround time doesn't lie just in the hands of the rotary die vendor alone—the customer also plays an intricate role in the

ACTION ROTARY DIE Manufacturing and retooling of engraved rotary dies and print cylinders for the narrow-web printer. Includes adjustable, air-eject, removable blade sheeter/perf, multi-level including slit over perf, and thermal cutting dies. Specializes in deep engraved dies. Introducing vacuum dies and molecularly enhanced tool sheets. Visit www.actionrotary.com For Action Rotary Die Write 388 ADAMS TECHNOLOGIES Automated steel rule bending systems, laser dieboard systems, routers for strippers and counter cutters, water-jet rubber-cutting systems. Visit www.adamstechnologies.com American Die Technology A complete line of CNC and EDM dies. Our cryogenic treating process extends the die life of the Marathon dies. The Thermalizer holds up to

After nearly 60 years in the industry, Bob Larson remains as the past, present, and future of the IADD. by Sean Riley, Associate Editor SAYING THAT THE diemaking and diecutting industry is in Bob Larson's blood is akin to saying that politics is in the Kennedy's blood, or driving fast is an Earnhardt family trait. Certainly these affirmations are true, but possibly a bit understated. The fact of the matter is that like the Kennedy clan and the Earnhardt lineage, the Larsons have been immersed in their industry for three generations. And just like members of those slightly more famous families, the respect

What products and companies were most sought-after in 2001 by packagePRINTING readers? Here's the scoop on the year's most-wanted technologies, ranked below based on responses to both editorial features and display advertising.*** TOP 10: Prepress Equipment 1. Anderson & Vreeland—Photopolymer plate processing systems, rubber plate molding presses, flexo platemaking materials, digital imaging systems and software 2. DuPont Cyrel—Photopolymer plate and prepress systems, including Cyrel FAST thermal technology 3. BASF—Nyloflex® and nyloprint® equipment combinations for processing flexo and letterpress plates and sleeves 4. MacDermid—Sheet, liquid, digital, and water-wash photopolymer plates, platemaking equipment, sleeves, and plate mounting systems for flexo printing 5. CreoScitex—PDF-based packaging

While its design capabilities are constantly evolving, the modern CAD/CAM system has yet to reach its potential as part of the manufacturing process. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor THE FUTURE OF Computer Aided Design extends far beyond the lines and angles of a diecut pattern. As the converting industry strives to maximize efficiency within the manufacturing process, the communication among all information systems driving production becomes critical. While CAD/CAM systems continue to improve graphic and design capabilities, the ultimate hope for CAD technology is its complete integration with the other information systems employed in packaging manufacture. The big picture "A well-designed CAD/CAM system

Laser diemaking stands ready to serve big and small shop needs. by Susan Friedman Many bigger die shops are upgrading; many smaller outfits are finding the investment more palatable. But where do the rosiest prospects—for buyer and seller—lie in laser diemaking systems? "Laser system sales have been cyclical," says Tim Christopherson, regional sales manager, Laser Machining. "Heavy sales prior to 1984 filled existing need, and very few were sold in the next few years." From his perspective, 1992 was the next peak sales year, and volumes are likely to swing upward again in the near future. Renewed sales volume could spring from any point