Brummen, Netherlands - At Labelexpo Europe this year, GSE Dispensing (Brummen, NL, stand 7N 125), under the theme ‘(Th)ink lean’, will exhibit ink logistics innovations that deliver spot and process colour on-demand, repeatable colour accuracy, batch traceability, cost transparency and a waste-free workflow.  The company’s combined ink logistics offering comprises gravimetric and volumetric ink dispensing systems, integrated ink management software and table-top flexo proofing systems.   

Ink dispensing introductions

GSE expands its Colorsat® program of gravimetric flexo, gravure and screen ink dispensing systems with the introduction of the Colorsat Switch dispenser for label / narrow-web print runs. Designed to dispense aqueous, UV or solvent ink batches into 5-litre buckets, the Switch features a fully closed, pressurized ATEX-compliant control cabinet connected to a  maximum of 20 base components of up to 25kg, conveniently stored in ‘waterfall frames’.  Optionally, the dispenser can be connected to 200-litre or 1,000-litre containers. Dispensing of a four-colour 5kg recipe occurs in less than four minutes.

The new volumetric Direct Dispenser provides an automatic logistics solution for dispensing and distribution of process colours, coatings and ready-mixed colours that need no blending directly to the flexo or gravure packaging printing press. Ink is pumped into a 50 litre-capacity mobile tank or fixed tank by a diaphragm pump that features an ink meter to measure volume . Suction tubes connecting the tank to the ink chamber of the press ensure that the press remains constantly replenished with sufficient ink or coating during the process. The system can be used in combination with a personal computer or Colorsat dispensing system and GSE Dispensing’s proprietary Ink Management Software (IMS). The integration with IMS provides accessible, transparent ink and coating costs per job and enables ink and coating used on any job to be traced to the batch code.

GSE Dispensing’s program of ink dispensing systems covers all packaging print applications, from short-run labels to lengthy corrugated board production. Accurate to one gram (optionally 0.1 gram), the systems eliminate risk of overproduction and ink shortfalls, and can reuse press-return mixes in new recipes. The resulting waste elimination typically means ink-yield improvements of up to 30 percent compared with manual preparation methods. Moreover, by reducing preparation time to a matter of minutes, the dispensers offer much improved production flexibility, reducing risk of bottlenecks in the ink kitchen.

Integrated software

The company’s ink management software, designed for all GSE Colorsat dispensing systems, can be fully integrated into the corporate IT network, logs consumption by material and volume to each job and allowing improved order management, transparent per-job ink costings, improved stock-control and batch traceability. 

Table-top offline proofing

A third offering, table-top flexo proofing systems, provide a fast offline means of assuring color perfection, including of half tones. Print Proof Solutions, a company within the GSE Group, will exhibit its Perfect Proofer®. With a photopolymer proofing head, and anilox roll, the proofer provides a perfect miniaturized simulation of the conditions of the target flexo press. It is estimated to save up to 15 minutes of preparation time per job and minimizes material waste associated with inline proofing alternatives.

Automatic bucket washing and ink mixing

GSE Dispensing has increased the efficiency of its Colorclean Indigo bucket washer and added new mixers to the Colormix range. GSE’s drum and bucket washers offer a fully automated, easy and efficient way of cleaning containers used to store ink or paste. The enhanced Colorclean Indigo bucket washer, for cleaning one bucket at a time now includes a detergent dispenser that offers extensive cleaning to remove tough substances. An optional water-saving system enables savings of 50% - 80% of the water consumption for a leaner, energy-efficient workflow. Two bucket washers, Colorclean Azur and Colorclean Cyan, have been introduced for large and multiple bucket-washing applications. 

Maarten Hummelen, marketing director of GSE Dispensing, comments: “Managing materials and ink waste, especially during the make-ready stage, has become more challenging because of the trend towards shorter job runs. Brand owners have become more demanding, and seek not only more complicated, unique colours, but exacting, consistent results. GSE Dispensing’s comprehensive ink logistics offering provides a lean, reliable solution for repeatable quality when flexibility is of utmost importance.”