All eyes are on Labelexpo India. With 250 companies at the show; including over 50 first time exhibitors; Labelexpo India 2014 provides a unique opportunity for the Indian printer to see the latest and best at Pragati Maidan. Here is a look at key technologies and consumables which will be showcased from 29 October to 1 November. A PrinWeek India compilation by Mihir Joshi and Noel D'cunha
GTT anilox technology - Apex Europe:
Apex’s patent GTT (Genetic Transfer Technology) anilox technology uses, what it calls, a unique open slalom ink channel geometry which delivers a controlled ink transfer from its intelligent metering roll. Apex will be present together with Color Dot, their representative in India.
Stall No: A5
Tyre vulcanisation label stock - Avery Dennison:
This recently launched label stock is designed for barcode tracking. These labels are engineered to bond with the tyre during the valcunisation process. It offers excellent adhesion throughout the lifespan of the tyre. Stall No: B40
Steraflex UV flexo ink - Arets:
The label industry is subject to regularly strains to ensure the products produced are safe. Indian labels demand it. Steraflex UV flexo inks, Arets claims, are formulated with very high quality pigment with good rheology as well, making it suitable for high resolution printing using finer Anilox volume. There are new innovations in labels, like silky matt, luxury matt, drip off systems. In tandem, can Steaflex create that premium feel? We will find out at the show.
Stall No: H39
Arrow 216 - Arrow Digital:
For longer runs you have the bigger flexo presses, but for on-demand and short-run jobs, and for printing labels in-house, there’s Arrow Digital’s digital label press, 216, says the company. Launched in May this year, this digital LED colour label printer is toner-based, roll-to-roll and can print on most paper/films at a speed of 9.3 mtr/min. That’s around 5,000 labels in two hours. Use the Arrow Label Finisher with the same model number, and you have a complete label you wanted, and quickly.
Stall No: A40
BST Shark 1000 LEX - BST Sayona: This entry level defect detection system stands out for its well-engineered technology, extensive range of functions, which includes defect detection of up to 0.2 sq/mm. It’s loaded with 2048 pixel grayscale camera and a 10x quick zoom. Stall No: E20
MaxPro - Bodhi: All things workflow, and for all those who love processes. And why not? In this world of digital technology, all things in the process have to be connected and Bodhi is here with the correct and connected solutions for the label and packaging industry. Launched two years ago in India, there are many installations worldwide, some in India too. Key features include creating press-ready files for digital, offset and packaging processes, quickly and efficiently. Also on display will be packaging pre-press workflow with colour management applications.
Stall No: G70
Doctor blades - Convertech: This doctor blade can treat (wipe-off) the gravure cylinders and anilox rollers, which, in turn, contribute to consistent high quality printing. These doctor blades are popular in India and 60 more countries.
Stall No: E9
Colour stamping foil - Colour King Foil:
All you wanted from foils – solid colour, metallic (gold, silver or copper), refractive or holographic – are all here, you can use these foils to create decorative finishes and anti-counterfeiting measures. In the packaging industry, the applications include food, pharmacy, tobacco, and luxury goods packaging, as well as labels for products such as wine and spirits. Beyond packaging, hot foil stamping is extensively used on labels, tags, greetings cards and throughout commercial print. Colour King Foil’s products ensure edge accuracy, covering capacity and resistance to puncture.
Stall No: G35
Vinsak LVPI - Creed Engineers: Launched in 2013, the LVPI has six units installed at government sites in South India, where Creed claims, 20 crore tax stamps are personalised every month. The monochrome machine can print at 600x600dpi on tax stamp labels, commercial labels, and scratch cards. Expect this platform to move from a monochrome label press to a multiple heads press as well as choice of inkjet systems beginning 2015. Also see Vinsak LSR, a 450mm wide label slitter rewinder with new value added features.
Stall No: J11
Digiflow 1000 ECLF - Dupont: Dupont Packaging Graphics’s Digiflow 1000 ECLF exposure unit, which boasts of improving solid ink densities and print contrast, is designed for use on an as-needed basis. The USP is that it can easily switched between standard digital dot and flat top dot. What’s unique about DigiFlow is that it fits in the existing workflow without the need of additional steps. This system was launched at Drupa 2012 and has seen four installations in India. Please read a detailed review on Page 28
Stall No: B52
SurePress L-4033AW - Epson: Launched in India during the last Labelexpo, the L-4033 is a relatively new kid on the block. It has over 100 installations worldwide since its world debut three years ago and has added a white ink to its printing capabilities. The L4033 and L4033AW are both available to support various label applications of convertors. Epson may spring a surprise at the show, with the launch of Epson TM-C3510, a compact table-top label printer, if it does.
Stall No: A38
CDI 2530 - Esko: The company has been a leader in digital flexo, and its CDI digital imager has been a force majeure in India, with over 34 installations. Esko CDI 2530 can image digital flexo plates up to 25x30inch (635x762mm). And, when combined with HD, CDI turns polymer plates into high quality flexo printing plates, capable of delivering greater run-lengths, few washing cycles to make sure that the press is optimally used. There are 23 HD Flexo and 14 inline UV systems installed in the region
Stall No:B52
Rhino electronic power supply - GEW (EC): The all new Rhino electronic power supply from this UV ink curing systems manufacturer, GEW (EC) has undergone three years of intensive development. Energy saving is on top of the list of every labeller with UV operations, and power supplies are always under strain, results in dip, sags, spikes and noise. Rhino with 95% efficiency and a power factor of 1 represents a big step in saving power consumption. Also see GEW’s complete UV system technology at the show.
Stall No: J41
Indigo WS6800 Digital Press series - HP:
Launched with much fanfare at Dscoop in Bali this June, the WS6800 gets a leg up on its predecessor WS6000 by way of expanded frame width from 317mm to 320mm. The kit comes with a new inline spectrophotomers, supports HP SmartStream labels and packaging Workflow Suite 4.1 powered by Esko and ElectroInk White. HP Indigo ElectroInk Silver gives labels a metallic look similar to UV flexo silver inks and can be used as a spot or base colour on a range of label applications, including paint, automotive, household chemicals, nutraceuticals and soft drinks.
Stall No: H22
Amba UV lamps and replacement lamps - Heraeus Noblelight: Efficiency is in doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things, so says a quote. Heraeus’ UV lamps and UV curing technology for printing processes will show why caring for efficient process is important; and finding the techniques that offer the best result. At the show, Heraeus will demonstrate why replacing the entire lamp cartridge rather than just a new lamp is an efficient way of replacing lamps at the end of life of digital printing machines.
Stall No: B8
Photopolymer platemaking machine - Innovative Flexotech: With a worldwide customer base of over 2,000, spread over 110 countries, Innovative Flexotech will run a live demo of its photopolymer plate-making machine. The machine can process plates ranging from 21x30cms to 40x50inch in different models. The company will also run live demo of its Techsetter2 thermal imagesetter. A complete in-house production in India, 24x7 online service support, and a claim that it offers 15 of its equipments that are set along with CTP 200 LPI 1% reproduction systems.
Stall No: C26
Security labels and barcode - Jupiter specialises in security labels and barcode ribbons, including patented security labels to pharma industries. For one customer, Jupiter claims to have applied four million hot stamped Holograms every day.
Stall No: H17
Prius - Label Planet: If you are looking for a budget Chinese-made servo label inspection system with a slitter rewinder, then Prius has one, says Label Planet, the launch this kit under OEM with Prius. What can you expect from this kit? Full servo, 4K colour camera from Basler, with Sony lenses, an inspection speed of 80-100mtrs, unlimited storage of retrievable jobs, inspection and re-inspection of transparent, reflective and replaced labels. You will also get to see Dflex digital label press with online converting systems, Orthotec intermittent offset label press and hybrid inking and motion equipment; and Cartes laser cutting technology.
Stall No: H27
Flexcel NX system - Kodak: This one has been an award winner for Kodak since it was launched in Drupa in 2008. It was made commercially available for Asia Pacific in 2009 with the launch of Digicap NX technology for improved densities in flexo printing. The Flexcel NX system delivers flexo printing with line screens of up to 175lpi+. Kodak has installed close to 400+ Flexcel NX Digital Flexographic systems around the world and 12 in India. Also, on show will be the new Kodak Flexcel NX-C Digital Flexographic plates for corrugated applications and the Flexcel NX Wide Digital Flexographic Imager (50x80inch) for wide-web applications.
Stall No: J48
Rotoflex VSI - Mark Andy: There will be no display of the Performance Series press this time from Mark Andy, though the equipment will be featured in video form highlighting all of the business responsive technology available.
Stall No: D15
MBS - Martin Automatic: The company will promote MBS automatic buss splicing unwind. The machine, introduced, what it calls, its transformative splicer design, in 1985, has all the pure-form engineering – fewest components, operational simplicity, and appropriate controls.
Stall No: B32
JetSci range - Monotech: JetSci has over 15 installations, since it was launched two years ago. The Jetsci systems are available in two variants: Y series and M series. The M series is a new product with speeds over 150 m/min either with UV curable inks or water-based inks depending on the applications. Also get information on big ticket equipment like EFI, Scodix and Highcon.
Stall No: G66
FB-3300S - Nilpeter: See this Nilpeter bestseller in India take centre stage at the company’s stand. The 8-colour servo flexo press with short web path features gravure, a value-adding unit for metallic inks, solids, and coatings.
Stall No: C15
MPS’ EB 370 - Genius Flexo Machinery:
MPS launched two new presses at the Labelexpo Brussels last year, EB 370 and EF 430. At this show, the EB 370 will make its India debut. Stall No: C37
Rotary tools- Rotary Technology: This China-based manufacture specialises in flexible dies, magnetic cylinders, solid rotary cutters, print cylinder, and hot foil dies, among others. At the show, Rotary Technology will demonstrate certain product ranges, present new service channels and approaches to Indian label converting industry.
Stall No: G53
SmartMotion - Re Controlli Industriali:
This Italian company is set to attract the visitors with SmartMotion, a new control unit that fuses the stepper motor and the drive technologies into a single device using the WLigo remote controller.
Stall No: G24
Automatic die-cutting machine - Suzhou Chuanri Precision Machinery: Convert adhesive labels, tapes and forms with Suzhou Chuanri Precision Machinery’s MQ-320A automatic die-cutting machine. This will be part of five new machines Suzhou Chuanri will be showcasing at the show. Stall No: G55
XFlex X4 - Omet: We do not know why Omet named the rewinder X4, like rock ‘n’ roll. Perhaps because of the sound it makes. See this eight-colour servo press with this enhancer, a budget-friendly press, which Omet says has short web path, gearless anilox roll, cold foiling unit, automatic register control system, delam-relam, web turnbar, among other features. Launched at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels in 2011, the machine is capable of handling vast range of materials, from 12 micron films to 250 GSM board.
Stall No: H19
SmartJet LP112 - TechNova: Built on the revolutionary Memjet waterfall technology, the SmartJet LP112 is a new inkjet label press from TechNova that will debut at the show.
Stall No: G30
MicroKote G - Swedev: Doctor blade is a term believed to be derived from the blade used in conjunction with doctor rolls on letterpress presses, which over a period of time metamorphosed to the name it is. And so, a printer should use doctor blade with the best possible wiping at the least possible pressure. Swedev believes its product MicroKote G, its second generation of coated blade, is the one, and a highlight at the show. It’s a new label edition launch along with MicroNoxII.
Stall No: C1
Softprint Secure - Tesa Tapes: This new plate mount tape has incorporated Snap-on adhesive that can take on challenges like rising amount of short runs and downtime hits of higher productive printing presses, which increase pressure on the factory floor. As the name implies, the product line was developed with the target of holding down plate edges securely even on small diameter cylinders to keep your press running. Also find Tesa products for core starting, end tabbing, splicing and our roller wrap grip tape.
Stall No: C32
Smartflex - Rotatek: Basking in the glory of a seven-million Euro budget and the Indian Railway printing machinery public contest, Rotatek sees India as a key market. See the Smartflex full rotary flexo press, launched at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels last year, make its India debut at the show. The machine incorporates Rotatek’s own Rota Sniper automatic register system for greater stability and accuracy during printing, rail system for turning bar and cold foil stamping units. It can run at 150 mtrs/min or 200 mtrs/min, one or two sides in a single pass. India has 50 different Rotatek installations.
Stall No: B36
Pantone Live - X-Rite: The company will try to wow visitors with its ‘do more with less’ motto while sharing the stand of its partner Esko. Pantone Live, a cloud-based colour management service, which is also offered as part of Esko’s Color Engine software, will be X-Rite’s showcase. The Pantone Live’s USP? Unprecedented level of access facilitates colour standards across all phases of production, regardless of the printing technologies or substrates used. In addition to Pantone Live, X-Rite Pantone will also highlight their entire range of colour management products.
Stall No: B52
Taiyo STF - Standard Printers Providers:
Taiyo’s STF servo driven UV flexo press will be showcased by Standard Printers Providers. Available in six- to 12-colour UV variant, the press can run at a maximum speed of 150 mtrs/min and has a web width of 340mm. Short web path and movable cold foil are the other features. Print self-adhesive labels, supported or unsupported, shrink sleeves, tube laminate or light cartons on this press.
Stall No: B2
Digital Flexo Excellence Concept - Gidue: The company will tom-tom, what it calls, its revolutionary concept – Revo digital flexo technology. A result of project undertaken by seven companies in label and narrow-web flexographic printing field, the technology was performed on two Gidue Excellence presses, the M5 Excellence 370 for labels and M5 Excellence 630 for flexible packaging. Not much has been revealed about what Revo is, except to those who were present at the Gudie HQ in Florence, Italy, when the technology was unveiled on 10 June, 2014. Gidue bigwigs will be present to introduce the concept to all visitors.
Stall No: J25
Xeikon 3030 - Xeikon: The company will entice you with this: ‘If you are a label converter looking to foray into high quality digital production of labels, 3030 is the machine’. And, there are reasons for that. The Xeikon 3030 is the narrow web entry-level press of the Xeikon 3000 Series, the largest range of digital label press offerings available on the market today. The full rotary five-colour Xeikon 3030 has a variable web width ranging from 200 mm up to 330 mm. It runs at a top speed of 9.6 m/min and can handle production volumes of up to 190 sqmtr/hour and uses food approved dry toner technology. The company’s most famous installations are the ones at Webtech Labels and Better Labels. Also see the self-adhesive label suite, an integrated solution to print and convert self-adhesive labels, developed in collaboration with its Aura partners.
Stall No: D25
Flexomaster - Webtech: Find information on the new generation Indian built flexo printing machine at Webtech stand. The updated Flexomaster will be equipped with easy operator-friendly features and importantly, flexibility for future expansions to suit the new generation of label printers. Launched in 2012, the press has 20 installations at key customers like Stick Labels, Hyderabad in India; and two overseas clients like Tripple Gee in Nigeria and Paper Script in UK.
Stall No: C10
RP 31 Purus - UPM Raflatac: One of the leading producers of self-adhesive label material, UPM will show, what it claims, safe choice for pharma labeling. Whether you need a non-migration adhesive or an ultra-clear luminescent adhesive for missing label detection, you will find one in the UPM range.
Stall No: A16
Atlantic Omega and Delta printer series - Viva Graphic: The most challenging industry requirement in today’s label business is handling short and long production runs with single- or full-color personalisation and product enhancements. Its Indian representative, Viva Graphic, will show this German company’s necessary production elements in a modular package that includes inks, printers, camera systems, numbering boxes, transportation systems and software. The result is a solution that is perfectly adapted to your needs today and flexible to grow as your needs evolve. There are more than 15 installations across India and more than 500 installations globally
Stall No:F17
SPGPrints DSI - Stovec Industries: The SPGPrints DSI is a modular UV inkjet digital printing system packed with features like: printing width of up to 530mm, production speed of up to 35 m/min, a unique inline UV inkjet primer to maximise substrate compatibility, remote monitoring, optional orange and violet to make more than 90% of the Pantone colour gamut. The inks are produced in-house, which according the company, raises levels of print reliability and quality.
Stall No: H51
Laser guided flexo plate mounting system and LED UV curing system - UV Graphic Technologies: The company claims that the plate mounter is the fastest in business and it is open to throw up a challenge of mounting plates on the flexo press in under 30 seconds with utmost precision. The plate mounter and much awaited LED UV curing system are the two Labelexpo Americas 2014 launches from UV Graphic Technologies, and both will adorn the company’s stand at the show. A serious Indian player, most of its products are time-tested and upgrading them is a continuous process for the company. The over 1,000 installations are a testimony of the company’s products popularity. Key customers include Ajanta Packaging, Parksons, Kumar Labels, Dutta Press, Janus International, Precise Graphics, and Any Graphics, among others.
Stall No: H23
Label inspection system - Precise Graphics: Take a look at the newly developed label inspection system, India’s first, claims Precise Graphics. Also see the new servo-driven semi-rotary intermittent die-cutting machine for digital label finishing. The new kit is capable of short-run re-register die-cutting jobs. Besides, there are bunch of other products like magnetic and print cylinder, video plate mounter, and slitter re-winders at the stall.
Stall No: A32
Novaflex XS Flexo - Alliance Printech:
Alliance Printech seems to have enough reservoirs of ideas when it comes to launching new machines at tradeshows. Novaflex – XS Flexo is a new version for producing self-adhesive, wrappers and packaging. Alliance says the all-UV narrow-web press is designed on the popular drop in cylinders, and is a must see machine. The previous versions have seen 16 installations. Also, on stand will be the company’s Ace-11 inspection slitter rewinder for labels.
Stall No: B35
Management Information System - Electronic Systems & Control:
Electronics Systems & Control’s MIS manufacturer of servo motion controller for flatbed label printing machines, web tension and web guiding systems has entered into the MIS field. And sure, there’s a need for an automated data capture systems from the production shop floor. This system captures real-time data, and gives a data that cannot be changed or manipulated. It gives the true OEE (overall equipment efficiency) for each machine. The system incorporates all modules like estimation, costing, waste management, accounts, etc, to make it a complete ERP.
Stall No: J32
EkoCure series - Flint Group: Flint’s award-winning LED curing EkoCure series will be on show, and Flint’s experts will be available to discuss the benefits seen among LED pioneers and its research. These experts will also guide visitors into the wider world of narrow-web label and packaging printing with its special focus on true low migration inks, Flexocure Ancora.
Stall No: G42
Flexo Photopolymer platemaking machine -
Flexography India Press (FIP: Ahmedabad-headquartered FIP manufactures a range of products besides flexo photopolymer platemaking machine. These are rubber stamp making machine, solvent recovery equipment for the flexographic industry. The highlight at the show will be the range of flexo photopolymer platemaking machines.
Stall No: J26
Ecoflex and Ecosmart - Multitec Aids:
One of the few live demonstrations of presses at the show, Multitec will showcase three new presses of the Ecoflex VSi ELS and Ecosmart series. Both the presses are enhanced version of the Ecoflex VSi. The new version gets a electronic line shaft and incorporates pre-register capability, and is suited for PS labels, flexible packaging and light cartons. The Ecosmart will feature open access design, servo infeed and outfeed, short web path but will not have the chilled impression drums. The press will be suitable for PS labels and light cartons.
Stall No: B30
Ligum flexo sleeve technology - Insight Communications: Improved print quality, reduced press set-up time and better repeatability, all virtues of making flexographic business profitable. Insight claims that sleeve technology is the answer and Ligum can help make these objectives a reality. Use of Ligum flexo plate mounting sleeve and pressure sleeves for gravure can result in production downtime, less efficient operations and somewhat higher costs. Large inventories of steel rolls can also present printers with problems of adequate storage.
Stall No: J38
Self-adhesive labels - SMI Coated Products: SMI’s theme has been – we just don’t sell self-adhesive material, we provide solutions. Having sold 2.6-billion sq/mtr of material, equivalent of going around the earth 64 times, 200 customers, and an export component to the tune of 50%, SMI can shout about its achievement. See the flamboyant father-son due of Ajay and Rohit Mehta flaunting their products at the show.
Stall No: A10
Weigang - Global Graphics Machineries: Weigang, formerly Donghai, China, will be the highlight of the Global Graphics stand, which specialise in providing label printing and converting solutions to narrow-web industry. The company is the exclusive agents for Weigang. Also on show will be other partners’ products like servo-driven UV intermittent web-offset label press, IR/UV flexographic label printing machine, UV shaftless intermittent letterpress, UV central-impression (CI) rotary letter press, roll-to-roll silk-screen printing machine, flatbed label printing and slitter/rewinder with 100% inspection systems.
Stall No: G46
