Accu-Label | 67Accu-Label installs Durst Tau RSCiAccu-Label has added a Durst Tau RSCi to its feet, the frst installation of Durst Group’s digital press in the North American market. Luis Rodriguez reportsccu-Label, a custom pressure-sensitive label converter based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a relatively new entrant in the digital arena, making its frst installation in 2014 with Aa Xeikon 3500 digital press. Not long after that installation, the company saw roughly 40 percent of its volume move from fexo to digital. In just a year, Accu-Label was ready for its second digital press, a Xeikon CX3, becoming the frst installation in North America and one of three pilot sites worldwide to have the press installed in its facilities.Now, in a push to drive its digital transformation further forward, Accu-Label has become another frst in the North American digital After 35 years in business, Accu-Label continues to keep up market. with its family-frst and customer-oriented business visionIn mid-2021, the company became Durst Group’s frst North American label converter using the Tau RSCi digital press. “The Tau RSCi press itself is During Covid, while revenue was up for many companies across the globe, there were many other problems concerning workforce really quite good, basically does and supplies, and as the pandemic continued, many of these issues were exacerbated. everything we need, it’s been a At Accu-Label, the installation of Durst’s digital press came during a time when the company was going through some diffculties, really good ft for us”causing internal struggles across Accu-Label to the point where the company wasn’t sure it would be able to keep its doors open if according to Manning-Ewald. things continued down the path it was ambling toward. She adds that, as Accu-Label is still learning about its new digital ‘The Tau RSCi press itself is really quite good, it basically does press, the ratio could continue to fall heavier on the digital side.everything we need, it’s been a really good ft for us,’ says Catie This shift is partially due to the high speeds of the Durst digital Manning-Ewald, creative and marketing director at Accu-Label, press, but the choice to go with the Tau RSCi was not made solely adding that the company may not have been able to survive Covid on the speeds and resolution of the press. One of the main factors without the installation of the Durst press. Accu-Label based its decision was the support from the machine Currently, Durst Tau RSCi is available in 12in, 16in and 20in manufacturer. Though Durst Group is headquartered in Brixen, Italy, versions. Accu-Label opted for the 20in model to maximize label the company has spent several years expanding its global reach, production productivity. Manning-Ewald says it allows the company and its accessibility in the US was one of the reasons that drove to use the press for whatever jobs may come its way. The Tau Accu-Label’s decision to partner with Durst.RSCi is capable of print speeds up to 100m/min (80m/min at full ‘Service is a big thing in making sure our presses are up and resolution) with a resolution of up to 1,200 DPI. running,’ says Manning-Ewald. ‘And with Durst’s growing client base After the Tau RSCi installation, which happened in a relatively in the US, the team was very attentive and really guided us through short amount of time, the company was able to bounce back in no what could’ve been a diffcult learning experience.’time, says Manning-Ewald. When it comes to a new installation of a machine a converter Due in part to the speed, some jobs that traditionally ran on fexo hasn’t touched before, service doesn’t just mean fxing something at Accu-Label, have now transitioned to run on the Durst digital when or if it breaks down, it means helping the company – press because, according to Manning-Ewald, ‘we’ve been seeing so operators in particular – get accustomed with the new press, and much turnover with art, and if somebody is running reruns with art learn the ins and outs of how the press works.and they have changes, you just can’t keep up with that on fexo.’ Now, in comparison to fexo presses, the learning curve for a For the company, pressure-sensitive labels have been its bread digital system is relatively lower, but on the graphics and pre-press and butter, covering everything from blank labels, to one- or side, ensuring the digital press is set up correctly is key.two-color labels and highly decorated and complex jobs with For Accu-Label, Durst sent a representative for a week to added fnishes. Much of these, especially the simpler labels, would ensure that everyone from its pre-press department to its press traditionally be run on one of the company’s Mark Andy fexo operators knew exactly how to manage the Tau RSCi press. He presses, but the addition of the Tau RSCi has somewhat changed explained the technology and how to troubleshoot common and its business and the way the company approaches its use of the complex problems if they do arise. Accu-Label found, especially in digital press. transitioning some work from fexo to digital, that it was a relatively There has been a signifcant shift in the company’s easy change.digital-to-fexo ratio, where before the installation, it was around a ‘Taking a fexo fle and transferring over some of the concepts 50/50 split between both systems. However, the Tau RSCi pushed to digital is somewhat of a trip, but it was very easy to get there. digital well ahead of fexo bringing the ratio to around a 75/25 split, With fexo you have to burn the plates before you can even run Oct - Dec 2022