Me & My: Rhino Dexa twin-deck coater

Satish Gaikwad, chief operating officer, Wikas Printing & Packaging Division of Sakal Media Group shares his reasons to invest in the Rhino Dexa offline coater

Please describe your company.
Wikas Printing & Carriers is a division of the renowned Sakal Media Group, which has extensive experience in the newspaper printing business for over 90 years. Established in 1989 with a commercial printing set up, it opened its carton packaging division in 2017 under the same facility. The packaging division is engaged in producing high-quality mono cartons, E- and B-flute corrugated cartons, as well as inserts/leaflets. The commercial printing division engaged in the manufacturing of books, brochures, calendars, periodicals, and allied products.

When did you start using the Rhino Dexa?
Wikas Printing & Carriers installed the Rhino Dexa CD 102 2+L machine in May 2025.

What are the properties of Rhino Dexa that you like?
Rhino Dexa is a high-speed offline coating solution built on a Heidelberg CD-102, 2+L platform with Alpna UV and anilox system. It is a solution for all kinds of offline coating. It is based on the Heidelberg platform with an eco-system for spares and services. The machine delivers applications like offline drip-off coating, texture coating, full coatings, matte coating WB, UV satin finish; spot coatings UV; primer/base coat; velvet coating/ soft-touch varnishes; barrier coating; blister coating and single colour, two colour printing with inline coating.

Why did you decide to use the Rhino Dexa?  
Wikas is an integrated packaging unit with multiple printing machines running in parallel. Our team felt the need for high-speed and high-productivity offline coating. This machine can deliver all kinds of offline coatings as well as single/double colour printing with inline coating options.

Did you look at other similar products?  
Yes, but we decided to opt for Alpna for its expertise in UV systems.

What are the features that tilted the favour in this?
The Alpna UV system, IR hot air system, along with pro-anilox system, which was built on a proven Heidelberg CD-102 platform, which can deliver multiple coating and printing options.

In what way have these features helped you in your production?
The machine has started delivering the expected results, which we were looking for.

For what applications is the Rhino Dexa used?
We use the machine for textured/drip-off coating; full UV coating; full WB coating; spot UV coating through polymer plates; and single colour, two colour printing with inline coating.

What is the quality like?  
The machine is delivering the desired results in the areas mentioned above.

How easy is it to use and handle?
Our machine operators have been trained by Alpna engineers and they are able to run the machine well.

Would you say that it offers value for money?  
The machine is loaded with lots of features along with high-speed productivity. We expect to have a good ROI as we go along.

Were there any difficulties experienced during its use?
All issues were addressed by the Alpna team. The engineers are helping us in running the machine at the desired level.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
All mid- to high-end packaging houses having multiple printing machines should go for an offline coating system for optimum productivity and multiple coating options. The machine format may be decided according to their current printing machines and the type of jobs they intend to do.

Under what circumstances would you recommend it to others?
Alpna is making a good offline coating machines with high pile SM-102 and CD-102 platforms. The company’s expertise in the UV and coating domain makes the product unique and beneficial to printers.

Conclusion
User’s verdict
Speed *****
Quality  *****
Reliability  *****
Value for money  *****

Supplier’s response: Debashish Dutta, vice-president, Alpna Visual Packaging Aids, says, “The Rhino Dexa twin-deck coater is a versatile platform offering many different applications. The coater adds more value to your print than any other process in your press. It is built on Heidelberg CD-102, which can take care of all your offline coating needs with high-speed productivity of 10,000-12,000-iph.”