Omet | 61Omet KFlex pressOmet launches KFlex flexo pressThe new KFlex from Omet is designed to be a versatile workhorse. Andy Thomas-Emans reportsmet has launched a new fexo press platform, the KFlex, designed as a versatile machine capable of converting a Owide range of label and flmic materials.The KFlex is a modular platform press handling substrates from 12 microns up to aluminum lidding and light cartonboard. Targeted at end-use applications in the wine and spirits, food and beverage, household, industrial, healthcare and cosmetics markets, the press is designed to handle everything from self-adhesive labels to wet glue, multi-layer, wraparound and shrink sleeve labels to lids.The KFlex press is available in two web widths, 430mm (16in) and 530mm (20in), with a maximum print speed of 200m/min (656ft/min). Omet’s new ‘Switch’ platform technology enables the rapid exchange of trolley-mounted slide in/slide out printing and Antonio Bartesaghi, Omet CEO with the KFlex pressconverting units, allowing the KFlex to be quickly reconfgured and optimized for different production tasks. “We have worked hard on ease of The modules currently include a peel-and-seal module for producing multi-layer labels, booklets and coupons with up to three use and fast changeovers with our layers and seven printed faces, cold foil and lamination, embossing, coating, hot foil (available both on a rail and as a fatbed in-line quick-change trolleys. We have the station), and a delam-relam unit with web turning bars for back and front printing. Rotary silk screen units are also available.fexibility to change any unit at any The slide-in-slide-out Easy-Change Die-Cutting (ECDC) system allows for off-line die preparation and fast exchange of cylinders position on the press platform”and fexible dies without the need for a lifting device.The press has dual UV/LED-UV and hot air-drying paths on each at any position on the press platform, so we are more fexible and print unit with an additional UV curing unit on the chill drum to effcient than many other fexo platforms on the market.’ provide an extended path for UV coating – all within an extremely He continues, ‘We are also manufacturing these presses in a compact footprint. The demo press was ftted with GEW’s latest more effcient way by building the frames separately from the LeoLED water-cooled LED-UV lamps. different functional units that go on top. Each goes on a different This arrangement gives converters enormous fexibility to set up manufacturing path and is matched up at the end. This shortens our different web path combinations to implement UV or water-based delivery times and has allowed us to keep production in Italy.’ coating and reverse printing on flms. Bartesaghi says the KFlex press was designed to be easy and Each KFlex print unit incorporates dual servo drives enabling intuitive to use, helping address the current skilled labor shortage. on-the-fy automatic print-to-print and print-to-die pre-register ‘Auto pre-setting and camera control of registration means adjustment. Optionally, Omet can also ft a vision color-to-color the press can be run without the need for a skilled operator,’ automatic register adjustment system based on high-defnition says Bartesaghi.camera. This controls both machine and cross direction for each Sustainability is another core concept for the KFlex press, print unit in real-time, bringing the press quickly up to sellable color particularly with the adoption of LED-UV curing. ‘LED-UV is the without operator intervention. future,’ states Bartesaghi.Omet CEO Antonio Bartesaghi tells L&L that the development of the KFlex demonstrates Omet’s long-term commitment to the fexographic market.More information on the KFlex press will be available on the Omet stand at Labelexpo Americas ‘We have worked hard on ease of use and fast changeovers with (www.labelexpo-americas.com)our quick-change trolleys. We have the fexibility to change any unit Jul - Sep 2022