Belgium-based narrow web converter Desmedt Labels has installed a Mark Andy digital hybrid press fitted with Martin Automatic non-stop unwind/splice technology. “It’s not about speed, it’s about improving productivity by increasing uptime and reducing waste,” said Henri Köhler, CEO at Desmedt.
Looking to move his label converting capability out of the ‘me too’ market, Köhler was initially looking to replace one of his older flexo presses back in 2013. What transpired was a complete shift in his investment philosophy that saw three Mark Andy Performance Series P7 flexo lines installed, all of which were fitted with Martin Automatic MBSF series of non-stop unwind butt splicers.
The press at Desmedt has a web cleaner and corona treater followed by one Pro series flexo station mounted on either side of the 5-color CMYK + W digital engine. The press is also fitted with a web turn bar, a laminator, a semi-rotary vertical die station and a slitting unit. The DPro Max is of modular construction, allowing for retrospective upgrades as demand and need change.
Speaking for Mark Andy, sales manager Timo Donati said, “The DPro Max offers low cost-to-print at an affordable price entry point, making short-run digital printing an attractive proposition. What appeals to Desmedt is its short changeover times, inline finishing and excellent print quality. This hybrid concept combines dry toner digital with servo-driven flexo units on a fully upgradeable platform that is flexible and scalable, so it offers the future-ready solution that Desmedt needed to replace its existing roll-to-roll digital press.”
To complement its small overall footprint, a Martin Automatic MBSC (C for compact) unwind butt splice was specified and installed. Sales manager for Martin, Bernd Schopferer, said, “We have built butt splicers for digital applications that can run in either direction. Here, with the Mark Andy DPro Max it runs from right to left. This MBSC can load two full 4,000-meter rolls at a time and has a web storage that has been adjusted to the production speed of the digital hybrid line to prevent having too much web in the process.”
The MBSC is a fully featured compact version of Martin’s MBS model, including the Martin EOPP package that guides the operator through the preparation process and ensures no step is missed, so no splice is missed. With the laser-assisted tape alignment system, the operator can make sure the tape is positioned perfectly, preventing matrix breaks owing to misalignment.
Kohler said, “I calculate the DPro Max and MBSC combination gives me one extra hour of production per shift. We work a three-shift pattern, five days per week, so you can do the calculation yourself, but I’d say around 750 extra hours of production per year.”
