TRESU showcases profit-building flexo systems for print quality improvement at PRINT18

Designed to meet the demands of printers and brand owners, TRESU printing presses and ancillary equipment deliver print quality, speed and reliable cost-effective production. TRESU’s skilled manufacturing, sales, and support team in Dallas, Texas, provides service, support and consultancy to customers throughout North America and builds on TRESU’s 35 year-old tradition of high-level service. Its global presence and experience makes TRESU a strong partner for both international flexographic and digital printers, and brands.

Systems for success

On its booth at PRINT 18 will be a selection of TRESU’s leading ancillaries including carbon fibre and ceramic doctor blade chambers, the F10 iCon automatic ink control system and the MaxiPrint Concept chamber. Videos, information and samples of other TRESU ancillaries will be available as well as for its flagship Flexo Innovator press.

The Flexo Innovator is a versatile, custom-configured multi-process inline printing and converting press for folding carton board, paper, laminates and metallic substrates. Available in web widths from 670mm to 1700mm (26.38in to 66.92in), the press is an efficient alternative to labour-intensive central impression presses. It can integrate water-based, solvent and UV-curable inks and high-end complementary processes in a single operation. With speeds up to 800m/minute (2625ft/min), the press features unit-to-unit drying, automatic ink supply and sleeve systems.

Inline architecture means that all units are easily accessible, and make-ready preparations can be made on unused units while the press is running. Handling multiple processes saves time in moving materials to off-line finishing equipment, reducing the risk of handling damage.

Many of the features and options of the Flexo Innovator press are available for retro-fitting to existing presses.

Ancillaries and options for quality and efficiency

TRESU’s chamber doctor blade systems can make a major difference to printers through efficient ink application and fast colour changes. Options include a choice of light-weight corrosion-resistant carbon fibre or ceramic construction. Both systems are designed for label, flexible packaging and paperboard printing and coating applications, and are available in widths from 185mm to 6000mm (7.28in to 236.22in).  

Improved print quality is another benefit of TRESU’s chamber doctor blade systems. “Pressure Control Technology” prevents micro-foaming and ensures clean, uniform print – even for high-viscosity metallic coatings. A long-life rubber seal system provides an airtight enclosure, preventing leakage, and maintains consistent ink pressure. Ink quality is assured by a liquid barrier, formed between the rotating anilox rolls and the chamber, preventing air from entering in the cells during production. The chamber doctor blades also feature fast, safe blade exchange as standard.

For web widths from 1600mm to 6000mm (63in to 236.22in), the new MaxiPrint Concept chamber features an integrated cleaning nozzle with a robustly designed water-shot mechanism for fast, efficient cleaning of the chamber and the anilox roll. A low-pressure shot mechanism ensures minimal water loss during cleaning. The TRESU P-Line pneumatic clamping system also ensures fast, safe blade exchange within two minutes.

The new SAVEink chamber, for narrow web applications, and FlexiPrint Easy chambers, for flexible packaging, use a light weight CFC chamber with carbon fibre ink-repellent surface with high corrosion resistance. The SAVEink chamber is light for fast and frequent job or ink changes and features a pre-set doctor blade for precise application control, for press widths up to 800mm (31.5in).

Automatic ink supply and temperature control systems

The F10 iCon ink supply system regulates ink flow, pressure and viscosity, to ensure a constant, accurate ink density on the printed substrate without air contamination. An energy-efficient system, it provides thorough automatic cleaning with a complete ink change cycle taking between 5 and 15 minutes. As part of the automatic cleaning, a very large proportion of the unused ink can be returned to the bucket. Information on TRESU’s full range of coating circulators and conditioners for high-viscosity coatings will also be available on the stand.

A core competency of TRESU’s ancillary portfolio is process temperature control. Since the 1980s, TRESU’s Dallas facility has been providing innovative solutions for pumping heat from printing presses. The company’s chilling systems utilise a “split system” design using a remote condenser to extract heat from the pressroom and not interfere with the printing process or place additional demands on a facility’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.  

TRESU is a leading provider of process temperature control systems and devices for managing heat generated by offset, flexo and digital printing presses. A unique feature in every process chiller from TRESU is the proactive IDMS (Internal Diagnostic Monitoring System) module. IDMS monitors the chiller and alerts the TRESU service department of performance issues, and gives customers peace of mind. 

Flexo printers can achieve higher speeds with TRESU’s drying technologies. High-performance drying depends on air flow and velocity, especially when water-based inks are involved. Drying speeds and efficiency have been optimised, and up to 80 per cent of the air inside the dryer – and 60 per cent of the exhaust energy - can be recycled, through TRESU’s green technology solutions.

Inline coating for digital packaging printing

As digital packaging converting continues to grow rapidly, TRESU works closely with digital press manufacturers, developing versatile, efficient inline coating systems to meet the demands of very short-run production. TRESU coating systems integrate with sheet-fed digital presses to apply added-value coatings and metallic embellishments to folding carton, papers and synthetic materials for pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and beverage, promotional gift, consumer electronics packaging and commercial printing applications.

The TRESU iCoat 30000 is designed for use with the HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press, and the TRESU Pinta is available for Xerox iGen press users. TRESU also 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. The TRESU iCut 30000 digital cutter quickly prepares plates for localised coating situations.

“PRINT remains a major marketplace for all sectors of the industry, and in today’s business environment it is essential that packaging converters learn what is available to make them more efficient and competitive” said Scott Hibbs, president, TRESU Americas. “TRESU’s printing presses, ancillaries and ability to serve its customers throughout North America position it as an ideal partner for successful converters and major brands.”