TRESU's SAVEink chamber doctor blade for narrow web flexo debuts at Labelexpo Americas

At Labelexpo Americas 2018, TRESU Group will showcase complete ancillary solutions for automatically regulating ink circulation on flexo presses for more efficient label and carton board production. There will also be information about its Flexo Innovator printing line for high-speed paperboard applications and coating systems for digital folding carton lines. 

TRESU’s ancillary solutions, comprising chamber doctor blades and ink supply systems, provide enclosed, automatically controlled ink and coating circulation, resulting in clean print, uniform ink density, reductions in material waste and makeready times, and faster production speeds.

Making its debut at a Labelexpo series exhibition is the new FlexiPrint Reservoir SAVEink chamber doctor blade, for narrow-web flexo applications up to 800mm (31.5in) wide. Its integrated reservoir contains a large ink volume, making it ideal for application of normal and spot colours, as well as high ink transfer printing, without the need for a connected pump. Ink may be added manually without stopping the press, giving the system flexibility for long and short-run production. 

The sealed chamber easily locks into place in seconds, so there is no risk of spilling or ink contamination. Doctor blades are in a pre-set position, without the need for further adjustment, ensuring optimal anilox contact with minimal wear. An automatic indicator shows when blade replacement is necessary. 

TRESU’s chamber doctor blade systems maximise print quality, efficient ink use, and savings on waste. Using the company’s unique “Pressure Control Technology”, the chambers eliminate air contamination and microfoaming, to ensure clean, uniform print on the substrate. A key feature of the technology is a long-life rubber seal system that provides an airtight enclosure, preventing leakage and enabling ink pressure to be maintained at consistently high levels. A liquid barrier forms between the rotating anilox cells and the chamber, preventing air from entering in the cells from transferring during production. The chamber doctor blades also feature fast, safe blade exchange as standard. 

The chamber programme is available for all widths from 185mm to 6000mmm (7.28in to 236.22in), and includes lightweight, corrosion-resistant carbon fibre and ceramic variants.  They cover label, flexible packaging and paperboard printing and coating applications. 

Another product highlight is the carbon-fibre MaxiPrint Concept chamber, in widths of 1600mm to 6000mm (63in to 236.22in).  Its integrated cleaning nozzle with low-pressure water-shot mechanism efficiently cleans the chamber and anilox roll, fast, with minimal water loss.

Automatic ink supply and temperature control systems

TRESU supply systems automatically control flow, pressure level and colour density, to provide consistent print quality without air contamination, and thorough, fast simultaneous chamber-cleaning. As part of the automatic cleaning, a very large proportion of the unused ink can be returned to the bucket, resulting in significant long-term ink savings.  The chambers can be retrofitted as an upgrade of existing equipment.  

TRESU’s F10 iCon ink supply system, suitable for inks of standard viscosity, provides a complete chamber cleaning and ink change cycle taking between 5 and 15 minutes. Information on TRESU’s full range of coating circulators and conditioners for higher viscosity applications will also be available on the stand.

TRESU provides a complete container-to-substrate ink logistics solution, developed on a bespoke basis to meet the printer’s specific application needs. A closed-loop system, inkLink provides effective process control for uniform quality, less waste and reduced costs.  

A large sales, technical and IT support team at the Dallas-based subsidiary, TRESU Americas, serves North, Central and South American customers with a rapid supply of consumables, remote performance monitoring, diagnostics, training and consultancy. The subsidiary also includes extensive manufacturing facilities.

Efficient coating for digital packaging printing

TRESU also provides coating systems for integration with sheet-fed digital folding carton printing presses. These apply added-value full-surface and spot coatings as well as metallic embellishments directly after the printing stage. The TRESU Pinta is available for Xerox iGen presses, and the TRESU iCoat 30000 is designed for use with HP Indigo 30000 digital presses. Both perform at the same speeds as the presses and offer setup times of less than five minutes. Additionally, TRESU supplies a comprehensive range of consumables such as varnish media, tapes and sleeves, as well as cutting equipment, thereby covering every element in this coating workflow. 

Setting new standards – the Flexo Innovator

Also on the TRESU stand will be information, animations and samples that demonstrate the TRESU Innovator inline press for advanced, high-quality, high-speed packaging production with folding carton board, paper, laminates and metallic substrates.Custom-configured in web widths from 670mm to 1700mm (26.38in to 66.92in), the Flexo Innovator is able to integrate water-based, solvent and UV-curable inks. It can include a host of value-adding complementary processes, including double-sided printing, gravure coating (double-sided), inkjet, cold foil lamination and converting. Speeds of up to 800m/minute (2625ft/min) are possible.

Allan Sander, vice-president, TRESU Solutions, comments: “At installations across North America, the Flexo Innovator is helping packaging and paper converters to achieve world-class manufacturing standards. The press is providing the platform for boosting throughput and uptime, accelerating product innovation and assuring outstanding quality.” “The labels and narrow web market remains dynamic in the Americas, and we are seeing continued growth – especially in South America – as converters recognise the impact TRESU’s solutions can have on their drive for efficiency,” said Scott Hibbs, president, TRESU Americas. “By working closely with converters, press and consumables suppliers, Our R&D teams have developed presses and ancillaries that address today’s challenges, and requirements for sustainability and competitiveness.”

TRESU is seeking experienced agents to complement its service to its growing South American customer base and will be pleased to meet representatives at the booth.