The manufacturer said the new PlateRite FX870IIE, which is intended as a high-quality flexo/letterpress option at a reduced cost, combines “production-level plate throughput with imaging resolutions of up to 4,800dpi”. The new machine is based on the FX870II model with new features such as the ability to optionally image thermal offset plates. Productivity is around half that of the FX870II, imaging flexo plates at a rate of 2sqm/hr (approximately four 762x635mm plates per hour) depending on plate sensitivity. Plates can be loaded in any size from 100x100mm up to 870x762mm without any additional handling or masking of the drum required. The FX870IIE features a multi-channel, high-power laser diode imaging printhead offering an output resolution of 2,400dpi up to a maximum of 4,800dpi as a standard feature, delivering “outstanding” reproduction of very small characters and fine lines and greatly reducing ‘jaggies’ on diagonal lines and curves. The new machine also supports Screen’s Flexo Dot screening, specifically designed to improve the highlight areas in flexo and letterpress printing. Flexo Dot also provides a greater range of gradation, as the minimum halftone dot shape can be selected from three available types to suit the specifics of the highlight printing according to the platemaking environment and the inks and media. Carlo Sammarco, packaging specialist, Screen Europe, said: “Our commitment to developing products that address the increasingly varied needs of the flexo, letterpress and label markets clearly demonstrates our commitment to delivering increased choice to the market.”...

Sheetfed service director Andrew Pang will take on Knapp’s mantle following his promotion to managing director. “I’m really pleased that Andrew will be my successor. It was important that we appointed someone internally who has a lot of experience of KBA UK. He’s been with us six years and has done a great job,” said Knapp. Pang joined KBA UK in 2007 as sheetfed service director. He launched KBA’s approved consumables division PressConsum in 2010 before returning to the service director role in January this year. Prior to joining KBA he was print director at Butler & Tanner. “It’s very exciting. I’ve got lots of plans, but nothing I can really talk about just yet,” said Pang. “The market is tough, but we’ve got good people and strategies in place and I’m very much looking forward to the new role and its associated challenges.” Knapp joined KBA UK in January 2001 from what was then MAN Roland. While the 49-year old said he wouldn’t officially leave until the middle of July, he added that Pang would in effect take charge immediately. “I’ll miss the people and the camaraderie of UK print. But I’ve been at KBA for 12 years. Last year we returned KBA UK to profitability and we moved up to number two in the UK, so it’s the perfect time for me to take a break and look for a new challenge,” he said. He’s hoping to take a six-month sabbatical in the US to undertake a motorbike tour of the country before weighing up whether to return to the UK. He didn’t rule out a return to print....

The manufacturer said the new PlateRite FX870IIE, which is intended as a high-quality flexo/letterpress option at a reduced cost, combines “production-level plate throughput with imaging resolutions of up to 4,800dpi”. The new machine is based on the FX870II model with new features such as the ability to optionally image thermal offset plates. Productivity is around half that of the FX870II, imaging flexo plates at a rate of 2sqm/hr (approximately four 762x635mm plates per hour) depending on plate sensitivity. Plates can be loaded in any size from 100x100mm up to 870x762mm without any additional handling or masking of the drum required. The FX870IIE features a multi-channel, high-power laser diode imaging printhead offering an output resolution of 2,400dpi up to a maximum of 4,800dpi as a standard feature, delivering “outstanding” reproduction of very small characters and fine lines and greatly reducing ‘jaggies’ on diagonal lines and curves. The new machine also supports Screen’s Flexo Dot screening, specifically designed to improve the highlight areas in flexo and letterpress printing. Flexo Dot also provides a greater range of gradation, as the minimum halftone dot shape can be selected from three available types to suit the specifics of the highlight printing according to the platemaking environment and the inks and media. Carlo Sammarco, packaging specialist, Screen Europe, said: “Our commitment to developing products that address the increasingly varied needs of the flexo, letterpress and label markets clearly demonstrates our commitment to delivering increased choice to the market.”...

The award, presented at the ceremony held at Birmingham’s National Motorcycle Museum, was given in recognition of CMC’s Cartonwrap roll-fed flexible carton manufacturing system, which was developed specifically for varied e-commerce packing requirements. The event, this year hosted by TV presenters Paul Ross and Amy Garcia, is judged by an independent panel of specialists and recognises kit developments in the sectors covered by the PPMA: processing and packaging; automation and robotics; industrial vision systems; and polymer machinery. The judges said that the CMC system displayed “an optimum mix of innovation and market requirement, with the added benefit of a significant reduction in packaging materials and shopping volume”....

The award, presented at the ceremony held at Birmingham’s National Motorcycle Museum, was given in recognition of CMC’s Cartonwrap roll-fed flexible carton manufacturing system, which was developed specifically for varied e-commerce packing requirements. The event, this year hosted by TV presenters Paul Ross and Amy Garcia, is judged by an independent panel of specialists and recognises kit developments in the sectors covered by the PPMA: processing and packaging; automation and robotics; industrial vision systems; and polymer machinery. The judges said that the CMC system displayed “an optimum mix of innovation and market requirement, with the added benefit of a significant reduction in packaging materials and shopping volume”....