Multi Print Systems (MPS), manufacturer of flexo presses aim at the high quality end of the flexible packaging, labels, tag and board markets. Established in 1996, MPS has manufacturing facilities in Didam, Netherlands.

Since its inception in 1996, all the MPS flexo presses are based on the servo drive technology (rotational drive), which has been a trend-setter for the converting industry.

Based on the needs of today’s label printer, MPS has now enhanced the Effective Converting (EC) flexo press with its Automated Print Control (APC). The press is powered with the latest digital servo drive technology (positioning servo) to control and repeat print settings.

Vijay Pareek, director of Genius Flexo Machinery, MPS distributor for the Indian sub-continent, says: “MPS technology focuses on our customers’ achieving consistent high quality, even after years of operation. And doing this with the highest productivity has always been a top priority. Today, both these factors have to work with short and long print runs.”

 With this primary aim, MPS has now added APC  to the EC flexo press line. Also incorporating short web and exhaust free chilled UV systems. Making the press energy efficient and very eco-friendly.” This also means that all relevant mechanical print settings are replaced by 100% accurate and maintenance-free servo motors which will result in dramatic cost savings for both, new job settings as well as repeat jobs.

The EC flexo press include features like APC, Crisp.Dot, multi-drive, iControl, complete pre, auto and re- register, integrated converting, repeat job memory and AutoTeach as standard features of the machine.

Automated Print Control
The APC is now introduced on all MPS press lines. Overall it is relevant to print pressure settings, which were done manually by the printer. These press settings are now done by positioning servo drives for plate to impression roller (left and right), anilox to plate (left and right) and lateral and length register control.

With the help of APC, press settings can be loaded completely automatically for new jobs out of the press’ calibration database. In case of repeat jobs, these press settings can be restored from the job memory.

Pareek says: “In this way, set up time and waste, for both new and repeat jobs are decreased dramatically. This makes APC a real must for today’s market demands. As it adds a new dimension to lean manufacturing.”

The servo motors need to be set to a starting point. This is called the calibration point. APC offers pressroom managers the unique possibility to calibrate the press themselves. It is now up to the pressroom manager to choose the calibration point, resulting in a perfect match to the desired setting.

Crisp.Dot
This advanced technology results in minimal dot gain, a full round dot, good ink coverage in solid areas and sharper printing of very small fonts. This enables to print the most demanding quality labels, flexible packaging, tag and board. With the accurate positioning servo motors, press operators report a further increase of productivity at all print speeds, with the same high definition dots.

 “The proven MPS system for stable low tension and Crisp Dot impression, result in a virtual friction free zone between plate and substrate (impression roller), delivering the same dot quality, even after years of use. It also increases the life expectancy of the plate.” says, Pareek.

Short web technology
The EC flexo presses are equipped with the short web technology. The technology allows change in web path, that is essential for flexible label converting functions. It also reduces the initial wastage. The EC flexo press is also equipped with the unique iControl (both software and hardware) and the MPS converting rail as a standard.

iControl
When the machine interface is not optimal, the gains from automisation to reduce set up waste are lost. To be able to run very short order size jobs, an accurate and no-nonsense machine interface is a must. The APC’s press interface contains user-friendly software and the MPS iControl hardware. The iControl increases the ease of operation and helps in reducing the wastage.

Hot foil stamping
The hot foil stamping is possible at any position on the press, without disturbing or removing the flexo print head. This is due to the use of solid lock technology. The anvil roller design can vary foil transfer pressure on either side.

Customer speak
In India, printing firms like Pragati Flexo, Ajanta Packaging (Baddi) are already using MPS flexo presses.

Pragati Flexo which is a sister company of Pragati Offset and Pragati Pack, is adding a fully-loaded MPS EC 330 APC sleeve press, to its existing flexo capabilities.

In January 2007, Pragati kick started its label project with the installation of the first servo MPS EF 410 press in the Indian sub-continent. This was also the first MPS installation in India.

In November 2010, a press for printing lamitubes, labels and mono films has also been installed in Bangladesh at Padma Lamitube in Dhaka.

Today’s label printing and converting requires quality with enormous flexibility. With multiple in-line processes, the label printing world is demanding. Automisation demands easy to use press controls for operators and Pareek says, MPS answers all the demands.

The Alternatives

Gallus EM s
The Gallus EM S is a multi-substrate and multi-process machine whose areas of application include inline printing and further processing of self-adhesive labels.
Available width 13.5 inch (340mm), 16.1 inch (410mm)
Print repeat min 10 inch (254 mm), max 26 inch (660mm)
Printing Technologies flexo UV,
Materials self-adhesive materials, paper
Contact  Heidelberg India  91 22 28224343 /
samir.patkar@heidelberg.com,  
www.heidelberg.com

Omet X-Flex
The X-Flex has the possibility of combining different printing processes, which are completely interchangeable with each other at any print station make the machine particularly versatile.
Available width 13,5 inch (340 mm), 17 inch (430 mm)
Print repeat min 12 inch (304,8 mm), max 25 inch (635mm)
Printing technologies Flexo UV, water base flexo, solvent base flexo, silk-screen, hot-melt (in-line adhesive application)
Materials film plastic, paper, self-adhesive paper
Contact  Weldon Celloplast 91 11 25740089 
 info@weldoncelloplast.com,
 www.weldoncelloplast.com

Gidue Master Combat
The press breaks the labels and packaging limits on production speeds and set-up times
Available width 14.5 inch (370 mm), 17 inch (430 mm)
Print repeat min 12 inch(304.8 mm), max 24”(609.6mm)
Printing technologies Flexo UV, water base flexo
Materials Self-Adhesive labels, coupon labels
Contact Reifenhauser India 91 22 26862711
sudhir@reifenhauserindia.com, 
www. reifenhauserindia.com