AB Graphic International has installed a high specification Digicon Series 2 label converting line for digitally printed webs at Roma Spa, Milan.
The investment includes a complex Digilase laser label cutting line and complements the company’s recent digital printing installations.
The machine specification includes delaminating/laminating in semi rotary web motion, multi-head semi-rotary flexo, flat bed foil stamping, in register over laminating, plus a web splitting, multi-layer coupon device.
‘Bearing in mind we have around 750 Digicon installations worldwide, this is probably the most sophisticated label converting specification we have built,’ said managing director, Mike Burton. ‘The design and configuration of the machine was agreed over some time with a large element of the final specification driven by the customer and the need to supply a highly complex range of labels to the market sectors Roma serves.’
The laser label cutting line is the first Digilase system sold by the company in the Italian market and is comprised of a number of additional capabilities including semi rotary flexo, over laminating and a high degree of automation that includes the Omega FAST (fully automatic slitting technology) where the knives are positioned via servo motor and turret rewinder to allow non-stop production. The Digilase is JDF compatible, requires no tooling and files can simply be downloaded from a database ready to start production. After cutting, the labels are matrix stripped and rewound in the conventional manner.
‘The combination of digital printing and the Digicon and Digilase converting lines means we are able to reach new levels of performance and offer a greater range of finishes,’ said Marco Rossi, CEO. ‘We supply digitally printed labels, coupons, and booklet labels with a wide range of finishing options and the new equipment enables us to meet customer expectations. In addition, we are now able to produce variable data and die shapes that can be handled in one print run. Production costs have also been reduced through the laser cutting system that eliminates the need for expensive die tooling. Our customers are also benefitting from shorter on demand print runs, reduced stock inventory, no pre-press costs, greater flexibility in packaging design and of course, reduced lead times.’
