The nyloflex XAH Digital is a high durometer flexo plate that reproduces sharp details of the finest elements, screens, text and line work for superior quality print. The plate is ideal for applications with solvent-based inks and UV inks used in the flexible packaging and tag & label markets, particularly those where special AIF technology is required, and for plate makers who have flat top systems already in place.
It is the latest addition to Flint Group’s fast-growing line of nyloflex thermal printing plates designed for use in its nyloflex Xpress Thermal Processor. The nyloflex XAH Digital plate is optimised for use exclusively with Flint Group’s nyloflex Xpress Thermal Processing System.
The nyloflex XAH Digital, a hard round top dot plate with a smooth surface, is formulated with a special AIF technology that keeps plates cleaner on press and results in faster print runs with fewer press stops. In addition, plate makers can expect to achieve all of the benefits of the nyloflex Xpress Thermal System – such as lower operating costs, higher sustainability and the quality of a solvent processed plate – producing plates in under one hour from imaging to finishing.
‘Even though the market as a whole is rapidly moving toward inherently flat top dot plates, many of our customers are still using a substantial amount of standard digital plates with round top dots. There are also companies that have invested in flat top systems and prefer to use those systems along with surface screening to create a customised plate surface for their specific applications,’ explained P.J. Fronczkiewicz, product manager Flint Group Flexographic. ‘We also incorporate our AIF technology into this plate to address the issue of plates filling in with ink during printing. This frustrating problem, which can lead to dirty print, can occur in flexible packaging printing with solvent based inks as well as with some UV inks used in the tag and label market. The advantage of AIF technology is that it provides outstanding sub-surface ink repellence to keep the plate screens and reverses clean during print runs, so printers have fewer press stops and can achieve faster press speeds,’ concluded Fronczkiewicz.
Incorporating a clever heating system that uses very low energy, the nyloflex Xpress Thermal Processing System is extremely effective at controlling the temperature of the plate surface; therefore, plates never overheat, and there is no need for extra components, such as a chiller or vapour handling system to deal with these effects. The result is that plate makers are able to reduce the energy consumption of plate processing by up to 88% versus competitive thermal systems, and up to 94% compared to solvent processing, with almost no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or vapours generated. The nyloflex XAH Digital Plate coupled with the nyloflex Xpress Thermal Processing System offers an optimal combination of components that provides a more sustainable solution to flexo plate makers and supports the printing industry in meeting its sustainability goals.
FLINT GROUP https://www.flintgrp.com
