The new version of the BOBST DigiMount fully automated flexo plate mounting system improves efficiency on narrow and mid-web inline flexo presses and multi-process printing and converting lines that make use of sleeve technology.
Smart DigiMount features advanced electronics for improved speed and accuracy of plate mounting. It handles sleeve repeats of 254–812.8mm and optionally 1066.8mm (10–32 inches and optionally 42 inches). This extends its capabilities to accommodate larger web widths and formats. Also new is an enclosure to exclude ambient light, helping the positioning system to operate consistently whatever the environment. The original DigiMount version is also still available to suit print cylinder repeats of 139.7-609.6mm (5.5-24 inches).
BOBST has worked to eliminate the workflow issues that derive from inaccurate plate mounting. This has revolutionised the way inline flexo presses for labels and packaging work by making all press operations fully digitally checked, adjusted and controlled.
The DigiMount system is easy, fast and effective: the operator only has to place the plate in the mounter and start the alignment sequence of the reference mark alignment from the touchscreen. An automatic quality check confirms that the plate has been mounted correctly or informs if the procedure needs to start over. This is all it takes to achieve a plate mounting accuracy of 0.02 +/- mm, repeatable and consistent on each print cylinder or print cylinder sleeve.
‘Every concept within the BOBST Digital Automation programme is continuously upgraded or extended so as to keep pace with the equipment evolution and to always ensure new improved levels of integrated automation,’ said Matteo Cardinotti, managing director of Bobst Firenze and head of narrow and mid-web multi-process product line. ‘This has led to the development of the Smart DigiMount version of the plate mounter in order to provide a solution for BOBST narrow and mid-web production lines dedicated to the production of labels, flexible packaging or carton packaging that use sleeve technology. This can accommodate larger formats and web widths, such as the M6 and the M8.’
