Kolding, Denmark - TRESU Group will emphasise its capability as a total flexo solutions provider at Sino Corrugated 2015, China 14-17 April (Stand Q91), with an offering that comprises ancillary products for ink and varnish flow control, integrated printing and coating units, and complete multi-station lines for converting packaging and lottery tickets. Stand highlights will include the unveiling of the modular ‘Concept’ press, the light-weight corrosion-resistant carbon-fibre chamber doctor blade, and the F10 iCon ink supply system.     

Modular ‘Concept’ for seamless, multi-process package converting 

TRESU’s web-fed modular flexo ‘Concept’ printing and converting line, bringing high speeds, short setup times, lower handling and single-pass capability to corrugated and folding carton manufacturing.  

Customised to end-user performance requirements and built with TRESU’s 30 years of press building and engineering expertise, the Concept offers a flexo platform in 900mm, 1100mm and 1400mm widths. In addition, it provides the possibility for seamless integration of processes, such as variable data, gravure, screen, hot and cold foil and finishing, providing an end-to-end solution for high-value packaging. Running at speeds of up to 600m/min, the Concept offers effortless converting of substrates up to 600 micron thickness, including paper, board, aluminium foil and flexible packaging.  

Allan Sander, vice-president of TRESU Solutions, the business area for TRESU’s integrated printing innovations, comments: “China’s packaging converters facing growing demand for shorter runs as well as high quality from brand-owners and retailers. Inline flexo provides the most effective way of offering service flexibility while maintaining the competitive edge in terms of productivity, waste reduction, footprint and ergonomics.”     

Ancillary highlight: new lightweight carbon fibre chamber doctor blade

TRESU’s full range of ancillary solutions, comprising chambered doctor blades, supply systems and chilling equipment, offer full, automated, enclosed ink circulation, at controlled flow, pressure and viscosity. 

A highlight of the TRESU stand is the new programme of lightweight carbon fibre chamber doctor blade systems, which offer improved chemical resistance, optimised flow and safe, easy handling in virtually all flexo printing situations.

The carbon fibre composition gives the chamber high-strength qualities, enabling a relatively low weight of between 2.4kg and 4.1kg per linear metre (approx. 1.6 lb – 2.74 lb per linear foot), thus easing chamber exchange.  The inside of the chamber features a top-coated ink-repellent surface. This offers extra protection against ink and detergents with high and low pH-values and ensures efficient, thorough cleaning after job completion. Furthermore, curved inner surfaces maximise volume and facilitate controlled discharge. The chamber’s design also enables ink and coating circulation in relatively low volumes.

The carbon fibre programme comprises two variants, with pneumatic (P-Line) or eccentric (E-Line) clamping systems that allow changeover of stainless or plastic steel blades within two minutes. Featuring the company’s patented seal system, preventing leakage and enabling longer ink life, the chambers are retrofittable with all TRESU’s currently available chamber doctor blade systems and are compatible with both manual and closed-loop control systems, like the TRESU F10 iCon Ink Control System. 

TRESU enclosed chamber technology enhances process control

Common to all TRESU chamber doctor blade systems are the company’s patented seal systems and two-minute blade change capability. As well as being integral to the Concept, TRESU’s ancillary equipment is a feature of the flexo presses of many original equipment manufacturers. 

The enclosed environment, resulting from the seal and precise blade positioning, ensures pressure and flow rate are maintained at desired levels without manual intervention. This stops air contaminating the chamber and results in foam-free transfer of ink / coating directly to the anilox cells, also at fast speeds. The enclosed chamber also prevents solvents from escaping and protects the ink from degradation due to exposure to the atmosphere.

Henrik Kristensen, vice president, TRESU Ancillary, comments: “Thanks to its time-saving advantages, optimized fluid control and resilience, the TRESU carbon fibre chamber offers a long-term solution for high productivity, low ownership costs and uniform quality.”

F10 iCon ink supply system

For common impression flexo printing situations, the F10 iCon ink supply system automates ink pressure and viscosity in flexo printing machines.   This, in turn, ensures a constant, accurate ink density on the printed substrate and prevents air from contaminating the ink chamber.

The energy-efficient system also provides thorough fully automatic cleaning, removing ink and residue from the chamber, achieving a complete ink change cycle in five to ten minutes.

Global support network

In addition, TRESU offers comprehensive support, via native-language support staff at offices in Beijing and Shanghai, and a training programme developed in collaboration with a global supplier of folding carton packaging for liquids. Training programmes are designed for both at the customer’s factory and TRESU’s Technology Center in Kolding, Denmark, where a multi-station Concept line also provides a venue for research and development. TRESU’s presence in China strengthened in 2014 with the installation of a 20-colour water-based flexo lottery game-card line for Scientific Games International in Beijing. 

Allan Sander comments: “At TRESU, we offer the engineering expertise, a track record of building multi-station printing lines for leading packaging manufacturers and comprehensive training and support from a worldwide network. We believe this provides a strong basis for printers to succeed and drive innovation in China’s fast-growing packaging sector,” stated Mr. Sander.