Great interest for TRESU’s flexo ink supply systems and printing line at PRINT4ALL 2018

The TRESU stand highlighted the global debut of the SAVEink chamber doctor blade for narrow-web applications, the self-cleaning carbon fibre MaxiPrint chamber for wider web situations, and information about the Flexo Innovator high-speed printing line, and TRESU iCoat 30000 for digital folding carton printing lines.

TRESU’s programme of chambers, available in widths from 185mm to over six metres, together with its F10 iCon ink supply system, provide a complete solution for controlled, enclosed ink supply for almost all flexo printing situations. 

TRESU Italy, the Milan-based subsidiary, supports a growing Italian customer base using its ancillary solutions for regulating ink supply,  coordinating retrofitting programmes, providing technical consultancy, and supplying new presses.

Several leading Italian press manufacturers include TRESU chamber doctor blades for advanced-specification models. TRESU chamber doctor blades also feature on flexo units of more than 400 offset presses in the country to apply a post-print protective coating or a gloss finish to enhance graphics, mainly for cartons.  

Gianni Amendola, office manager, TRESU Italy, comments: “A large proportion of our label and packaging customers supply the cosmetics and wine industries where image is of special importance, and there can be no compromise in quality. As converters recognise the impact that ink regulation has on profitability – especially with the growth of shorter run-lengths – the interest in TRESU’s ancillary solution grows, as they are a proven way of meeting stringent targets, driving down costs, and raising productivity.”

The savings begin with cutting ink waste through leakage and contamination. TRESU’s chamber doctor blades feature a patented seal system that prevents leaks and interaction of the chamber contents with the atmosphere. The enclosure is completed with precise blade positioning that stops air entering the anilox cells, automatically keeping pressure and flow rate at desired levels. Air contamination is prevented, and foam-free transfer of ink / coating is achieved at fast speeds. Even laydowns across the substrate and consistently high ink density levels are achieved. Pneumatic clamping systems ensure fast, safe blade changes within two minutes. For easier handling, light-weight corrosion-resistant carbon-fibre chambers are available for wider widths, in addition to ceramic or aluminium varieties.

The new SAVEink chamber for widths up to 800mm made its global debut at the show, and attracted much interest. The chamber has a preset doctor blade for precise application control, and locks into place in seconds, and is sealed to avoid risk of spilling or ink contamination.

The MaxiPrint Concept for wide format applications is available in widths of 1600mm to 6000mm, and features an integrated cleaning nozzle with a robustly designed water-shot mechanism to ensure efficient cleaning of the chamber and anilox roll in a short time. The low pressure shot mechanism ensures minimal water loss during cleaning.

Complementing the chamber doctor blade programme is TRESU’s F10 iCon for safe, stable and controlled ink circulation. Flow rate, ink pressure and viscosity are automated, avoiding the labour-intensive, time-consuming task of monitoring ink flow.

Amendola says: “Converters are reporting six-figure savings annually through the combination of automation, reduced ink waste and increased productivity. Automatic ink return and cleaning on all units occurs simultaneously, thoroughly, in five to ten minutes. Manual intervention is limited and presses can run at faster speeds. The ability to retrofit these chambers means that these benefits are available to a very large number of Italian converters.”

TRESU Italy’s technical team, with support from the company’s Danish headquarters, also provide retrofitting, bringing existing presses that in some cases can be more than 20 years old to the latest standards of productivity. Recently, the service team installed the MaxiPrint Concept System on a six-colour 2.6-metre wide common impression press at a major Veneto-based containerboard manufacturer in only 10 days. TRESU is currently installing three 3.2m-wide presses with a total of 20 printing units at a Lucca-based original equipment manufacturer serving the tissue market.  With local expertise and support from the Milan office, long-term relationships are built along with programmes of continuous development and optimal performance.

Information about TRESU’s Flexo Innovator printing line and iCoat 30000 for digital folding carton printing lines was also available on the PRINT4ALL stand. The Flexo Innovator is mid-web press has proven to offer high quality, fast setup times, ergonomic operation, production flexibility and industry-leading speeds of up to 800m/min for paperboard packaging applications. For inline coating, the iCoat 30000 offers flood and spot coating and varnishing for digitally printed sheet-fed folding carton production with the HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press.