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Plymouth, MA, June 4, 2009.  Flexo Concepts has teamed with Mark Andy to install a MicroClean™ unit in the press builder’s Milford, Ohio demo center. The MicroClean model is being used to clean anilox rolls between press demonstrations and confirm its status as a viable cleaning method for the narrow web industry.

Flexo Concepts donated the MicroClean model 48 in a move to demonstrate the system’s ability to effectively clean line screens up to 1400 lpi without damaging the anilox engraving.   The company’s MicroClean media particles are small enough to reach the bottoms of the anilox cells and thoroughly sweep out the dried ink or coating without harming the cell wall structure.  This model, designed for narrow web applications, can accommodate rolls up to 34” long and 11” in diameter.  Like all MicroClean models, it is able to safely clean anilox sleeves as well as rolls with journals. 

Steve Tognozzi, Mark Andy’s Printing Technologies Supervisor, explains his need for an effective anilox cleaning method: “To give a true indication of press performance, it is important that the anilox rolls be fully cleaned between runs.”  He appreciates the versatility of the system because it will accommodate his entire anilox inventory: sleeves, rolls with journals and integral shafted anilox rolls.  Tognozzi also likes that MicroClean is an automated, enclosed system.  “Once we install a roll, the machine runs on its own and we are freed up to do other things.  It cuts our cleanup time because, unlike other off-press systems, MicroClean is fully contained and doesn’t make a mess of the plant.” 

The MicroClean technology has earned a reputation as a safe, effective, economical and eco-friendly method of anilox cleaning capable of restoring cell volume on a wide range of line screens.  The system operates completely without water or chemicals and has become popular with sleeve users due to the corrosion risk inherent with chemical and submersible cleaning.  The model 48 is now being offered with a dual roll upgrade to facilitate the cleaning of two rolls simultaneously.

Mark Andy is the world’s largest manufacturer of narrow web printing equipment for the label and packaging markets.  The company’s brands include Mark Andy and Comco printing and converting machinery, Rotoflex finishing solutions and UVT curing systems.  The Milford demo center now provides narrow web printers with a convenient place to see demonstrations of narrow web printing, converting, finishing and cleaning equipment in one location. 

This machine represents the fourth MicroClean unit placed in the field for potential customers to see the technology in operation.  A second unit 48 was recently donated to Nilpeter for use in its Cincinnati, Ohio press demo center.  In 2008, J.M. Heaford installed a model 72 in Altrincham, England for demonstrations and test cleaning.  Also last year, Flexo Concepts donated a model 72 to the Broby Grafiska Utbildning Flexographic School in Sunne, Switzerland for educational purposes.  In addition to these four units, Flexo Concepts maintains a model 160 in its Plymouth, Massachusetts headquarters for demonstrations and a roll cleaning service. 

To learn more about the benefits of MicroClean for narrow web applications, visit our narrow web market page at www.flexoconcepts.com/markets/narrow.php.  To contact Mark Andy for an equipment demonstration at the Milford location, please email sales@markandy.com

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems and TruPoint™ plastic and composite doctor blades. All products are designed to improve print quality and reduce operational costs for flexographic and offset printers. Flexo Concepts maintains distribution locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. For more information about the company and its products visit www.flexoconcepts.com.