Labelexpo Europe 2023 – Dies and tooling | 131DIES AND TOOLINGDies and tooling suppliers zero in on automation, efciency and waste reduction. Andy Thomas-Emans reportst Labelexpo Europe 2023, we saw replacing the existing anvil roller or any “SETTING AND an increased focus on automation, existing die-cutting unit. The module effciency and waste reduction on includes a calibration function to AMONITORING CORRECT both inline fexo presses and digital press automatically return to zero position and fnishing lines. jobs can be stored and recalled. DIE-CUTTING PRESSURE Indeed, there are good reasons to believe that we have reached something of a FLEXIBLE DIESIS AN OPERATION THAT technology plateau in terms of speed and The main development in fexible dies print resolution of narrow/mid-web presses, is more effective coating technologies. HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON so future productivity gains are likely to Kocher + Beck showed a new FDA-certifed OVERALL PRODUCTIVITY”come from the increased effciency and anti-stick coating that results in less automation of post-print converting and adhesive residue on the cutting edges. embellishment operations. RotoMetrics, showed its AccuAdjust Lartec presented new fnishes for fexible Setting and monitoring correct technology designed to solve liner dies that provide greater durability and die-cutting pressure is an operation that has variability issues across all liner material cutting precision. Maxcess introduced a a huge impact on the overall productivity types. AccuAdjust allows for independent new range of fexible dies, while complete and waste levels of a fexo or digitally label or simultaneous bearer adjustment using die and rotary tooling systems were also printing operation. At Labelexpo Europe a digital controller. The system can be shown by Rotary Sp. z o.o. and Rotary 2023, visitors saw a continued move adjusted on both sides at a standstill Technology (Guangzhou).towards automation, starting with the or when the machine is running. Each A game-changer on the converting end introduction of motors to drive pressure AccuAdjust unit comes automation-ready of the press and fnishing line has been settings along with the ability to store and for the upcoming RotoAdjust operator the development of fast semi-rotary recall jobs. interface upgrade, which will add electronic die-cutting units now installed on both motors for touchscreen adjustment and fexo presses and high-speed digital label Industry 4.0 analytics, along with the converting lines. Omet, for example, TECHNOLOGYKocher + Beck introduced the Gapmaster ability to store and recall jobs. demonstrated a semi-rotary die-cutting EM (Electronic Move), a retrofttable Maxcess previewed its next-generation running at 100m/min with fully automated electrical drive unit that replaces the RotoMetrics Rotoscan adjustable anvil, die loading and eject. mechanical handle on existing Gapmaster claimed to be ‘the industry’s frst fully Also critical has been quick-change units. Onboard motors allow for easier automated intelligent die station’ delivering rotary die-cutting assemblies. Tecnocut gap alterations from 0.25 – 10 microns. real-time adjustment for material variation. showcased its Pit Stop die-cutting cylinder Adjustments can either be made by touch Proactive monitoring will reduce scrap system being changed in 30 seconds, entry or a rotary dial which provides and waste with Industry 4.0 analytics and while Kocher & Beck demonstrated its haptic feedback for the operator while one-touch ordering of new dies. The unit quick-change die-cutting station. observing the cutting results. Kocher + will be commercially available in 2024. Beck also displayed its latest KMS digital Tecnocut showed its E-Diffsystem pressure gauge for detecting changes in adjustable anvil, designed to control the Continue reading, as our Labelexpo cutting pressure. movement of the anvil roller electronically Europe review continues with Maxcess Group, which includes to +/- 1 micron tolerance. It works by ancillary productsIN BRIEF Maxcess demonstrated the Tidland RD AutoScore scoring system including fully automated lateral and depth control, reducing setup time while increasing operator safety. Tecnocut showed the latest model of its Label Mover waste matrix removal system, which moves the web by a few millimeters for more effcient waste removal, alongside a motorized slitting station.Fortisblades showed its slitting razorblades designed for use on all types of flm. High resistance to wear and tear is critical for cutting complex structures or recycled materials.Oct - Dec 2023