SOMA Optima press, Changeover Wizard and S-Mount automatic plate mounter will highlight live displays

Lanskroun, Czech Republic—SOMA, producer of flexographic printing presses, plate mounters, slitter rewinders and laminators, will be presenting its state-of-the-art flexo printing technology at Hall 4 Stand B21 during this year’s K Show (K 2022) from October 16-26 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The highlight of the SOMA stand will be live demonstrations, showing not only the exceptional printing accomplished on plastic substrates with the second generation Optima press, but also the speed and ease in which jobs are changed—complete job changeovers from plate mounting to press makereadies.

SOMA Optima: Outstanding quality and fast makereadies
The SOMA Optima flexo press has earned a reputation around the world as an outstanding, easy to operate flexo press for short runs—typically for mid-web jobs such as wrap-around labels, shrink sleeves, sachets, various pouches, and a variety of other applications. At K Show, SOMA will display a second generation Optima flexo press.

Changeovers are fast
The challenge for printers has become short runs, and the need for quick makereadies. Those who watch the SOMA demonstration will not have to wait long. The press can be installed with the SOMA IRIS (Intelligent Register and Impression Setting) system for automatic job setting, a unique off-line solution that combines the advantages of a plate mounter with fully automated device for plate topography and register measurement.

Changeover Wizard helps with flexo expertise
Flexo needs to meet the challenges of efficient changeovers while under the operation of a novice workforce. SOMA will show visitors how they can master their changeovers with its SOMA Changeover Wizard, an innovative component of new SOMA Optima flexo presses, and a recipient of a prestigious 2022 FTA Technical Innovation Award. The SOMA Changeover Wizard flexo press user interface automatically guides the press operator during all the steps involved changing from one job to the next. In doing so, it reduces the number of tasks or may shorten tasks required, defines their optimal order, and automates as many steps as possible, minimizing operator error.

Making plate mounting automatic
The S-Mount plate mounter puts the emphasis on fast and accurate plate mounting. SOMA responded to ever-increasing demands for productivity, short runs and increasing demands on accuracy. The result was significant operator ease of use. The accurate plate mounting makes it easier to set the register when the sleeve is placed into the press. When that process is used along with the accuracy of IRIS print setting system, there is no longer a manual burden on the press operator to set or tell the press where to adjust register and impression. It is done automatically with minimum waste involved.

SOMA to run two extremely demanding jobs daily during K Show.
It is not easy to print exquisite packaging artwork on plastic substrates. The new Optima is capable of reproducing rotogravure-like print quality. When used with latest pre-press technology, the SOMA Optima can solve a number of print challenges.

SOMA intends to run two extremely difficult print jobs, highlighting the 260 mm repeat length printing which, for certain jobs, provides extra savings on plate material. The print results will display exceptional contrast, minimal dot gain, superior dot stability and registration, and exceptional, smooth transitions to zero.

“Since we last visited K Show, SOMA has grown as a company and has been extremely busy creating even more innovative features and equipment to our product line. Our goal is to produce exceptional flexo print quality, while making our equipment as fast and easy as possible to operate,” comments Petr Blasko, SOMA Marketing Director. “We look forward to showing printers and converters in Düsseldorf how easy the changeover process on a flexo press, using SOMA equipment, can be.”