Rotoflex Int'l, Inc.

Short-run printing is a reality today for any package printer, and a converter’s ability to adapt to this reality will go a long way toward customer retention. Being able to offer customers the option of shorter runs is the equivalent of offering them a new product—such as a new substrate, a specialty ink, or the ability to soft proof. However, integrating the shorter jobs into conventional press runs can be a challenging proposition. On the one hand, no one wants to turn down business, but on the other hand, fitting the shorter job in between two longer runs means more planning and makeready. Profecta

BRUSSELS, Berlin—Labelexpo Europe 2007, taking place on 26-29, is expected to attract more than 23,000 visitors to Brussels from all over the world. With the ongoing growth of the label industry, more companies are exhibiting this year and an additional hall will make the show even larger than in 2005. With 90 percent sold, of exhibitor space sold, six halls will be packed with international suppliers unveiling their new machinery and innovations on this special global stage. With the global label industry continuing to grow steadily at a rate of 5-7 percent each year, Labelexpo Europe provides the opportunity for manufacturers to showcase their

Shorter runs—they are the reality for many package printers today. This reality can impact your slitters/rewinders by way of greater wear and tear, more frequent tool changes, and so on, but these are not the only packaging trends that affect the slitters/rewinders market. The myriad substrates available to converters alone impacts slitter/rewinder performance and construction. Thank the emergence of flexible packaging for the increased substrate requirements. All these factors will impact your business in terms of what equipment you buy—a typical rewinder versus a turret rewinder, for example—what you will do to increase the lifespan of such equipment, as well as what other types

The August issue of packagePRINTING includes extensive coverage of the Labelexpo including the exhibitors’ list, floor plan, and important information about the conferences planned. A sampling of the new products that will be on display during the show, scheduled for Sept. 11-14 in Chicago, will also grace the pages of this planner. Rotoflex International Inc. will demonstrate the next generation in digital web finishing technology at Labelexpo Americas 2006. The new Configuration 2 Vericut includes the latest advancements in semi rotary spot coating, cold foil, hot foil and embossing. Rotoflex is a world leader in advanced high-tech solutions for security sensitive industries including

It’s an important and sometimes complicated material category in label printing—release liners—one which can have a big impact in the operations of both label printers/converters and their customers, the consumer products companies. For label converters, the substrate/release liner combination needs to provide a reliable surface so the diecut strike-through cuts the label completely, yet does not cut or weaken the liner below. This has to be done consistently over the course of a label run of thousands and thousands of times. Once the labels get on the customer’s packaging line, the precision and consistency of this operation will quickly be seen.

REWINDERS PLAY AN important roll in today's print shops and can make or break a great print run. For example, registration can be right on the mark, color can be perfect, then Whammo!, during the rewinding process the entire roll can "telescope" into a useless pile of wound-up trash. "Maintaining uptime and reducing downtime on the rewinder has been a goal for some time," said Brian Ivens, manager, sales and marketing, Arpeco. "Quality of design and manufacturing has always been a significant method of providing reliability and dependability with equipment." There are many reasons the rewinding process can be a problem, but knowing what

Focusing on your customers' application parameters—while keeping cost, safety, and simplicity in mind—are important factors in choosing the right slitter for the job. ACCORDING TO "Slitting Techniques, Choosing the Best Method," produced by Tidland Corporation, it may be safe to say there are not many manufacturing industries that handle such a wide array of processed materials as package printing. Most of these materials need to be slit—cleanly, easily, and safely—in most converters' operations. There are three main slitting methods in use and Tidland has come up with a formula to best match the correct slitting method to the application. Easy as 1, 2, 3

Augment slitting/rewinding operations with these recent technology releases. Automated edge trim unit Tidland Corp. (800) 426-1000; Fax: (360) 834-5865 Tidland's Automated Edge Trim system allows exact repositioning of knives, simultaneously and bi-directionally, using touch screen controls. Changes to the knife position are made away from the slitting process and require no operator contact with the slitting equipment, increasing safety. Operators do not have to stop the press to reposition knives, avoiding costly re-starts and wasted materials. Absolute repositioning of knives in exact increments increases accuracy, and changes as little as 1⁄8˝ to 1⁄16˝ can be made in ratio to the movement of the