Show Preview | INFO*FLEX Offers Gold Mine of Solutions

Published: April 11, 2014, By Claudia Hine

With more than 30 conventional and digital press manufacturers exhibiting, INFO*FLEX 2014 promises to unveil the future of the converting industry. The event takes place April 28-29 at the Baltimore Convention Center during the annual forum produced by the Flexographic Technical Assn., Bohemia, NY. FTA expects 1,700 attendees from more than 35 countries in every market segment of the industry.

EXHIBITORS

PFFC will be at Booth 433 at INFO*FLEX. Stop by to chat with our team and pick up a handy device—perfect for browsing PFFC’s website on your tablet or cell phone. Be sure to sign up for our E-Clips e-mail newsletter, too. Read on for a sneak peek at other exhibitors’ booths.

Apex (Booth 721) will show its GTT anilox roll with patented open slalom ink channel geometry that allows the ink to flow precisely onto a printing plate., especially in the case of expanded gamut printing. Also showing UltraCell and UltraCell+ conventional anilox rolls in all engravings, from LongCells to Channellox, Trihelical, and Hexagonal, etc. New flexo bridge and plate sleeves produced using a new proprietary composite and manufacturing process are said to deliver the utmost precision, longevity and performance.

Durst (Booth 1029) will present new developments regarding its Tau digital label/package printing systems. The Durst Tau 330 covers print widths to 13 in., a production capacity of 10,220 sq ft/hr, and maximum resolution of 720x1260. The Tau LFS 330 adds a laser die-cut system for in-line finishing. Tau Low-Odor UV curing and Low-Migration UV ink set also will be featured.

Eaglewood Technologies (Booth 1322) will introduce the innovative, environmentally safe Sanilox Anilox Roll Cleaning System with demonstrations of the touchscreen interface, which controls the cleaning of rolls in-line or off-line. Programming includes features to operate the system in English and Spanish and to help monitor roll inventory by entering roll information to the interface.

Epson (Booth 1216) will showcase the SurePress L-4033AW, a seven-color inkjet digital label press with White ink that is said to make high quality, short-run label printing easier and more efficient, even on clear and metallic substrates. The SurePress L-6034VW is Epson’s first single-pass industrial press, the first to use Epson’s new PrecisionCore linehead technology, and the first to use Epson’s new LED-cured UV ink with in-line digital varnish technology.

Flexo Concepts (Booth 909) will feature its TruPoint Orange doctor blade, which eliminates UV ink spitting, doctor blade related injuries, and anilox scoring. The blade also is compatible with specialty coatings and lasts longer than steel. TruPoint DuraPoint will be a focus at the show. It is marketed as a long-life direct replacement blade for UHMW in the corrugated sector.

Flint Group Flexographic Products (Booth 1103) will debut and demonstrate its FlexoToolbox App for iPhone and Android devices. It can simplify flexo prepress, platemaking, and process control and can assist platemakers with tasks ranging from the calculation of plate distortion and solvent balance to monitoring UV-A irradiance and the determination of sleeve diameters. Also showing the nyloflex FRC printing plate that resists chipping during plate washout, a common issue with many corrugated plates, and is compatible with flat top dot technologies to reduce fluting on all board types. Also introducing the rotec High Speed Sleeve said to eliminate bounce-induced skipping while allowing for a significant increase in press speed.

Harper Corp. of America (Booth 905) will host demonstrations of its award-winning QD ink proofing system and will showcase the company’s new HEX division, comprising plate sleeves and bridge sleeves with a patent-pending replacement notch system. The HIVE (high imaging volume engravings) anilox roll series also will be featured, including LaserKote and XLT engravings. 

Muller Martini (Booth 424) will showcase its Variable Sleeve Offset Press (VSOP) that has the ability to add flexo units for heavy solids or coatings and rotogravure stations for metallics. VSPO plates cost 80% less than flexo plates, making it an ideal technology for short runs and gang runs. 

Sun Chemical (Booth 501) will launch the SunUno Solimax Multi-Purpose Ink System to the North American market. These inks are intended for surface printing and lamination for a variety of end-use applications. Also displaying the new Water-Based Flexo Dispenser that can make process, blending bases and spot colors all from the same machine, which allows printers to mix exactly the amount of ink they need and reduce their inventory and waste. SunGraphics high-definition plate technology and SunVisto Advantage HS water-based inks for corrugated also will be highlighted. 

3M (Booth 601) will feature a wide selection of plate mounting tapes and adhesives to optimize printing from solids to fine process work.

To see the full list of exhibitors, click here. 

To see the show floorplan, click here. 

SOLUTIONS THEATER

In addition to the 260 booths, the show floor will feature the Solutions Theater at the rear of the 500 aisle. Exhibitors will offer 15-minute talks, sharing their strategies for addressing key priorities for converters. Here is the schedule of presentatins:

• 1:40–1:55 p.m.—Do more. Digital Printing and Flexo Working Together— Domino Amjet
• 2:00–2:15 p.m.—ThermoFlexX: High Resolution Imaging for Flexo—Xeikon America Inc.
• 2:20–2:35 p.m.—Doctor Blades: Evolving to Meet the Demands of High Definition Flexo—Daetwyler Corp.
• 2:40–2:55 p.m.—Value in Versatility: How to Expand the Gamut of Your Investment—Kodak
• 3:00–3:15 p.m.—One Ink System: The Next Level of Efficiency—Sun Chemical Corp.
• 3:20–3:35 p.m.—LUX ITP: Flat-Top Dot Technology, Now In-the-Plate—MacDermid Printing Solutions
• 3:40–3:55 p.m.—Flexible Packaging Game Changer: HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press—HP Indigo
• 4:00–4:15 p.m.—OPTIMA Press: The Right Fit for Market Needs—Soma Engineering

Show Hours

INFO*FLEX is held April 28-29 from 1:30–5:30 p.m. Social networking reception will be held April 28, right after the show floor closes, on the outdoor terrace that will feature food and entertainment by the Delaware-based group, Running Late.