Kemtek Imaging Systems has installed a new-generation Screen PlateRite FX1524 thermal flexo platesetter at Universal Labels & Packaging, in Midrand, Johannesburg, the first to be installed in Africa. Universal Lables needed to increase capacity in its prepress department.
Fondly referred to as ‘Universal Studios’, the repro department offers its many international and local blue chip customers a complete service, taking the whole job from receipt of design through to platemaking. The companys focus is firmly on investment in the right technologies to grow an already impressive business that produces in-mould labels, shrink sleeves, wraparound labels and self-adhesive labels.
As a new-generation CtP system, the FX1524 platesetter is designed specifically for labels, flexible packaging, cartons and corrugated packaging production. This gives Universal an added high-output, larger-format prepress capability.
‘The new technology integrates very smoothly with our current operations and enables us to work on new and different projects, which makes us much more flexible,’ said director Brett Prawde. ‘It’s a top-class system designed for top-class print results, which is what our customers expect.’
Easy to use, the new model PlateRite offers optimal plate productivity with an output of 4msqm/hour for flexo plates and 6sqm/hour for letterpress plates. It directly ‘ablates’ the LAMS (Laser Ablation Mask System) layer, eliminating film and other intermediate processing and resulting in more efficient operations, as well as consistent output quality.
Plates up to 1 067 × 1 524mm can be loaded easily on to the PlateRite’s drum, ensuring high-precision, high-quality output of flexo plates. Plates are secured to the drum easily by means of a clamp system that holds both the lead and trailing edges in the largest format and smaller plates can be loaded reliably without masking the drum.
As Screen’s dedicated local supplier, Kemtek has expert knowledge in the local printing and packaging industry. The company itself is a development of experience in the printing industry dating back to 1958. Its major asset is its staff, all of whom are highly experienced in sales, applications and maintenance in the industries they serve. The onus is on total service approach and assisting customers to run their business efficiently and profitably.
‘Our expert flexo team at Kemtek not only installed the FX1524 platesetter but also undertook the fingerprinting on all Universal’s presses,’ said Gordon Smith, Kemtek’s national packaging and export manager. ‘This was quite challenging as Universal uses solvent inks on its newest press and UV inks on its various other presses. However, we’ve managed to adjust the dot gain curve in such a way that only one curve is used throughout the factory. By doing this, Universal can rest assured that a correct plate with the correct curve is applied every time and there will be no costly mistakes on the press,’ said Smith.
