Author: Christine Duggan

Flexo Concepts® Takes Advantage of Massachusetts Training Grant and Applies Funds to FIRST Operator Certification

Plymouth, MA, October 31, 2016. Flexo Concepts employees have recently completed Level I of FTA FIRST Operator Certification in order to become flexographic printing “experts.” The training was made possible by a Massachusetts Express Grant designed to fund workforce education in the state.

Created and administered by the FTA, FIRST Operator Certification is an online training program through which participants gain a complete mastery of the flexographic printing process. The program offers three certifications: FIRST Press Operator, FIRST Prepress Operator and FIRST Implementation Specialist. Flexo Concepts chose the latter which is designed for supervisors, managers and non-production personnel such as suppliers of flexo products and services.

The company applied for funding for the training through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Express Program, named for its easy one-step, online approval process. “In fact it was Flexo Concepts that encouraged FTA to add their FIRST Certification training to this program,” said Duane Woolbright, FTA Training Specialist. He added, “The training has been vetted by the state and is now part of their approved manufacturing training and certification curriculum.”

Flexo Concepts encourages other flexo printers and suppliers in Massachusetts to apply for the Express Grant to take advantage of this training. The company plans to continue with the next two levels of Implementation Specialist training and ultimately achieve FIRST Company Certification.

For more information about FIRST training, contact Duane Woolbright at [email protected] or Kenneth Theriot at [email protected]. To learn more about the Express Grant, go to workforcetrainingfund.org/programs/express-program/.

Visit www.flexoconcepts.com for more information about Flexo Concepts or www.flexoconcepts.com/media/ to access a complete press kit.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Kevin McLaughlin to Present “What’s Next for Corrugated Printing” Webinar for FTA

Plymouth, MA, October 26, 2016. Kevin McLaughlin of Flexo Concepts® will present the webinar “What’s Next for Corrugated Printing” for the FTA on October 27, 2016.

This presentation will look at the innovations that are currently making an impact on the corrugated printing industry as well as those that are on the verge of reshaping the market. A special emphasis will be placed on advancements in the ink delivery system, machine improvements, substrate and drying, and digital printing technologies. The session will conclude with a live Q&A session.

Kevin McLaughlin is an owner and CEO of Flexo Concepts, which manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades. He has over 26 years of experience in flexographic printing and has obtained a broad knowledge of the many aspects of the corrugated printing and packaging sector.

The event will take place at 11:00 AM EDT and is free for FTA members. Go to https://account.fuzemeeting.com/#/webinars/register/1106026 to register.

Visit www.flexoconcepts.com for more information about Flexo Concepts or go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media to access a complete press kit.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Flexo Concepts® to Make Second Stop on Harper’s 2016 Roadshow in Toronto

Plymouth, MA, September 29, 2016. Following a good reception at Harper’s 2016 Roadshow in Kansas, Flexo Concepts announced plans today to join up with the tour for an additional stop in Toronto. The event will take place at the Courtyard Marriott Toronto Airport on October 5th.

Flexo Concepts is again one of several leading industry co-suppliers chosen as presenters. This time, it will be CEO Kevin McLaughlin who will talk about the latest advancements in doctor blade materials and edge design. He will also provide the audience with general tips for optimizing blade performance.

The annual roadshow is hosted by Harper free-of-charge. However, space is limited and anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register as soon as possible. Go to www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Toronto-Canada/553 to reserve a spot.

To learn more about TruPoint doctor blades, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Flexo Concepts® to Join Harper’s 2016 Roadshow in Olathe, Kansas

Plymouth, MA, September 23, 2016. Flexo Concepts is excited to once again join up with Harper Corporation’s Roadshow, this time at the fourth stop of its 2016 tour in Olathe, Kansas. The event will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn Olathe at 12080 South Strang Line Road on September 27th.

Flexo Concepts is one of several leading industry co-suppliers chosen to present at this location. Key Account Manager Alan Shumate will talk about the latest advancements in doctor blade materials and edge design. He will also provide the audience with general tips for optimizing blade performance.

This annual event is hosted by Harper free-of-charge. However, space is limited and anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register as soon as possible. Go to www.harperimage.com/roadshows/Olathe-Kansas/532 to reserve a spot.

To learn more about TruPoint doctor blades, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Flexo Concepts and Industry Partners to Present New Technologies via Interactive Game at Labelexpo Americas 2016

Plymouth, MA, September 8, 2016. Flexo Concepts is among eight industry partners who have teamed up to create an interactive game to present the latest advancements in flexo printing technology at Labelexpo Americas 2016.

At the event, contestants will collect a game board from any of the participating companies’ booths. They will then be prompted to visit each of the partners’ stands to collect a label or “game piece” in exchange for basic contact information. Completed game boards will be entered in drawings at the conclusion of the show for a chance to win Amazon gift cards and a complimentary seminar hosted by Clemson.

The collaborative piece was produced with contributions from each member of the team: prepress services by Esko, MacDermid plates, SunChemical inks, Harper anilox rolls, Flexo Concepts TruPoint Orange® doctor blades, and UPM Raflatac label stock. Clemson University undertook the printing and converting at its Sonoco Institute of Packaging and Graphics on an Omet Varyflex press and various other equipment.

To pick up a game board, stop by any of the following stands at the show:

Esko

5202

Flexo Concepts

544

Harper Corporation of America

401

MacDermid (All Printing Resources/JV Imaging booths)

937/1217

Omet

3123

UPM Raflatac

729

Click here for more information about the event or visit www.flexoconcepts.com to learn about the TruPoint Orange doctor blade. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Flexo Concepts® to Be Featured Supplier at Rotometrics “The Future of Print” Open House

Plymouth, MA, August 30, 2016. Flexo Concepts announced today that it will attend Rotometrics’ “The Future of Print” open house as a featured supplier on September 27-28, 2016.

The event will take place at Rotometrics’ European manufacturing facility in Aldridge, UK. Focus Label Machinery, Graphic Republik, Herma, Nilpeter UK, Platinum Paper and Thermal Transfer Solutions are among the key flexo and packaging industry partners being represented. Flexo Concepts will be the exclusive doctor blade manufacturer.

Held every two years, the 2016 European open house is supported by industry associations BPIF Labels, EFIA and Finat as well as four prominent print publications. The total space allocated for the event is up 40% from 2012 to accommodate 35 suppliers and an expected 400 attendees. Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward will deliver a keynote presentation and featured speakers will address current trends and the growth outlook for the industry.

Click here for more information about the event or visit www.flexoconcepts.com to learn about TruPoint doctor blades. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts

Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Flexo Concepts® to Feature New MicroTip® Technology at Labelexpo Americas 2016

Plymouth, MA, August 29, 2016. Flexo Concepts will promote new MicroTips on its premium TruPoint Orange® doctor blade at Labelexpo Americas 2016. The new tip variations allow printers to optimize blade performance in label printing applications.

Since Orange was released in 2013, Flexo Concepts has focused on improving blade tip technology. New MicroTip options allow printers to select a customized thickness and tip combination that will enhance metering effectiveness and maximize blade life in their specific applications.

TruPoint Orange has been endorsed by a number of press manufacturers and is currently shipping as the standard blade on many new machine installations. At the show, the blade will be featured on equipment by Aztech, Gonderflex, Mark Andy and Nilpeter among others.

To learn more or obtain a blade sample, visit Flexo Concepts’ booth #544 at the show or go to www.flexoconcepts.com. A complete press kit can be downloaded at www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Versioning and Variable Data in Flexible Packaging

According to Smithers Pira in its “Future of Global Flexible Packaging to 2020” report, “Flexible packaging has been one of the fastest growing packaging sectors over the past 10 years, thanks to increased consumer focus on convenience and sustainability, and this rapid development will continue to accelerate.” This growth, however, will depend on the industry’s ability to cope with market trends driving shorter run lengths.

Versioning and Variable Data Printing

Two of these trends driving shorter run lengths are versioning and variable data. Versioning is used to produce packages for different variations of a product (such as a line of flavors) while maintaining brand continuity. For the printer, a large print job is segmented into smaller lots that are customized based on each “version” of the product.

Variable data printing is mainly used in flexible packaging applications for product authentication and logistics in the distribution chain. Companies can add a unique identifying code to each package, allowing individual products to be “tracked and traced” through the supply chain. Bar codes and RFID codes are used to facilitate inventory and prevent counterfeiting.

Both versioning and variable data lend themselves well to digital printing, a process that can easily and cost-effectively produce small lots. In flexible packaging, however, long runs are required to achieve the economies necessary to be profitable. How can a flexible packaging printer be competitive?

1. Take Advantage of New Wide Web Technologies

As run lengths become shorter, changeover speeds become more critical than press speeds. The wide web industry has responded with equipment technologies that make faster set-ups possible such as gearless presses, anilox sleeves and automatic impression settings. Some printers are converting to fixed ink sets, such as extended gamut, to minimize the number of wash-ups, or eliminating manual cleaning altogether with automatic wash cycles.

2. Add Mid-Web Equipment

A number of large format printers are adopting mid-web press technology for economical production of medium-length jobs. By comparison, these presses not only cost less but are built for faster changeovers, lower tooling costs, and less consumption of ink, plates and other consumables. They require fewer operators to run and deliver easier reproduction of high-quality graphics.

3. Incorporate Digital

Finally, for some work, digital just makes more sense. Digital printing’s sweet spot is its ability to produce short runs economically. By adding this complementary technology, printers can take advantage of the flexibility offered by having both capabilities under one roof. Like narrow web, using digital for short run work also frees up wide-web presses for big jobs.

The flexible packaging industry is experiencing a reduction in run lengths driven by shifts in the way brand owners do business. Printers have to find ways to adapt to such changes as versioning and variable information printing by creating new technology and processes. By improving equipment to shorten changeover times and adopting additional printing capabilities, wide web printers will be able to claim its share of future growth in the package printing market.
Flexo Concepts® To Sponsor Unveiling of Fusion Compact at PCMC’s Impact 2016

Plymouth, MA, July 19, 2016. Flexo Concepts announced today that it will sponsor Paper Converting Machine Company’s Impact 2016 where the press manufacturer will introduce its newest model, the Fusion Compact (C). The event is to be held at the company’s US headquarters and plant in Green Bay, Wisconsin on August 3.

The Fusion C maintains all of the fast make-ready and waste-saving features as PCMC’s Fusion family of products, but with a smaller footprint and fewer parts to save space and cost. Attendees will also be able to view the company’s Fusion Board press, browse supplier tabletops and take part in industry networking at the one-day event.

As a premium partner, Flexo Concepts will feature its TruPoint Orange® doctor blades with MicroTip® edges. Available in a range of thicknesses and MicroTips, Orange blades optimize metering performance, extend blade life and promote pressroom safety in a wide variety of flexo printing applications.

Click here to register for the event.

To learn more about the TruPoint Orange doctor blade, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Flexo Concepts® Reports Success with New MicroTip® Doctor Blade Edge Technology at Drupa 2016

Plymouth, MA, July 15, 2016. Flexo Concepts exceeded its objectives at Drupa 2016, successfully introducing a variety of new MicroTip options on its TruPoint Orange doctor blade and expanding its distribution network.

Since introducing Orange in 2013, Flexo Concepts has developed new MicroTips to help printers optimize metering effectiveness and maximize blade life in their specific applications. At the show, booth staff fielded many requests for blade trials from people eager to test the new technology.

Herb Cole, the company’s global sales manager, said, “It’s clear to see that our industry is adapting to the demands of today’s customer. We are firmly committed to innovating safer, high performance, longer lasting doctor blades to meet those needs.” He went on to say that Flexo Concepts is excited to introduce new blade technology to the corrugated sector later this year.

The company was also able to expand its distribution network at the event. “There are too many flourishing partnerships to list, but I am pleased to announce our new relationship with Academia in India,” said Cole. “Academia will help us expand our global footprint in a vital market, as we continue to build a solid network of internal and external expert doctor blade consultants.”

Orange has earned the support of a number of well-known OEMs and was featured on multiple presses throughout the show. Among these exhibitors were AB Graphic International, Cartes Label Machines S.r.l., Focus Label Machinery Ltd. and Grafisk Maskinfabrik.

To learn more about Flexo Concepts, the TruPoint Orange doctor blade or MicroTip technology, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media/.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Flexo Concepts® Installs LED Lighting in Plymouth, MA Facility to Promote Energy Efficiency

Plymouth, MA, June 23, 2016. In its continuing effort to “go green,” Flexo Concepts has outfitted its entire manufacturing facility and headquarters with LED lighting. The project has a two-year return on investment and resulted in an annual reduction in energy use significant enough to power six homes for a year.

The scope of the project included the company’s entire manufacturing and administrative space as well as the parking lot and other common areas of the building complex. All bulbs in the office areas were equipped with LED lamps and all lighting equipment in the shop and common areas was replaced with new fixtures that contain LED lamps.

Flexo Concepts worked with The Energy Efficiency Group (TEEG), an independent energy services company, throughout the project. TEEG facilitated all aspects of the process including performing an initial energy audit, making recommendations, submitting permits to the utility, handling the approvals, and scheduling and coordinating all work with the company’s electrician.

According to John Ferris, Flexo Concepts’ engineering manager, “The rebates offered by our utility company and quick payback made the investment an easy decision. By reducing the cost of the project by half, we were able to pursue this option for making our company more eco-friendly.” He also noted that the process was surprisingly simple as TEEG handled everything from evaluation to implementation.

To learn more about Flexo Concepts, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Flexo Concepts® To Attend OMET Open House as Premium Partner at New Illinois Demo Center

Plymouth, MA, June 15, 2016. Flexo Concepts announced today that it will attend Omet America’s open house as a premium partner on June 29-30. The exclusive event will take place at the press manufacturer’s brand new demo center in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

At the open house, Omet will present the capabilities of the new iFlex label press, considered by the company to be its smartest technological innovation to date. Scheduled demonstrations, taking place at 11:00 and 3:00 each day, will showcase its impressive iLight pre-registration system, the first laser application on a flexo press, and iVision register adjustment and control. To register for the event, go to http://printing.omet.com/iflex-open-house-omet-americas/.

Flexo Concepts will be among select industry suppliers chosen to exhibit at the event in a tabletop setting. The company will feature its TruPoint Orange® doctor blades with MicroTip® edges. Available in a range of thicknesses and MicroTips, Orange blades optimize metering performance, extend blade life and eliminate UV ink spitting in label printing applications.

To learn more about the TruPoint Orange doctor blade, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.
About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Focus Label Machinery to Feature TruPoint Orange® Doctor Blades at Drupa

Plymouth, MA, May 31, 2016. Today Flexo Concepts® announced that Focus Label Machinery will feature TruPoint Orange doctor blades on its presses at Drupa. Orange was chosen for its ability to eliminate UV ink spitting, superior blade life and ease of installation.

Focus will host live demonstrations of its newest equipment at the show, with servo and digital solutions for short and medium print run business at the forefront. Among the featured equipment will be the company’s brand new e-FLEX, a flexo/digital combination press platform with twin servo system for single-touch set-ups and minimal waste. Focus will also exhibit its d-FLEX, a digital model that combines in-line inkjet and flexo printing, coating and converting. Finally, the company will display its ProFlex, a 6-color, 330mm wide option for narrow web printing with full UV drying at a modest investment level.

All Focus printing equipment will be running with TruPoint Orange doctor blades. The blades will feature a MicroTip 10 which is one of several tip variations being introduced by Flexo Concepts at Drupa to customize blade solutions and optimize metering in a range of printing and coating applications.

When asked for reasons why he liked TruPoint Orange, Colin Ellison, Print Technician at Focus, said, “One: we don’t get any ink spitting. Two: they’re very long-lasting.” His third reason was, in his words, “Probably the least important, but I like it. On the doctor blade, it says, ‘anilox contact here,’ and there are arrows.” He explained that this feature is a real advantage when he’s training customers on how to correctly install the blade.

UK-based Focus Label Machinery Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of printing equipment for the narrow web label and packaging print industry worldwide. The company produces flexographic, letterflex and digital printing solutions covering textiles, pressure-sensitive, shrink sleeves, food casings and many special applications.

For more information about the equipment to be featured at Drupa, go to http://blog.focuslabel.com/drupa-2016 or visit Focus at Hall 10/C10 at the show to see a press demonstration. To learn more about the TruPoint Orange doctor blade, visit Flexo Concepts at Hall 11/C34 or www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
Flexo Concepts® Announces Completion of State-of-the-Art Doctor Blade Innovation Lab

Plymouth, MA, May 24, 2016. Today Flexo Concepts announced the completion of a new state-of-the–art doctor blade innovation lab in its Plymouth, Massachusetts manufacturing facility. The creation of the test center emphasizes the company’s commitment to bringing cutting-edge technology to the flexo printing industry.

The innovation lab contains a variety of testing and measuring equipment used to assess the various mechanical properties of materials being considered for new product development. These tests include stiffness, wear, surface roughness and creep, the characteristic that describes how polymer material “relaxes” over time when pushed against a hard surface like an anilox roll.

The lab also houses a special machine to prepare samples for testing as well as high-precision optical and weighing devices to perform used blade analysis. By analyzing worn blades, Flexo Concepts can help customers determine the causes of their metering problems such as too much or little doctor blade pressure or when a doctor blade has been installed at an incorrect angle.

John Ferris, Flexo Concepts’ engineering manager, says that, “Unlike some blade manufacturers, our objective is to test blades and blade materials in a way that replicates their use in the field.” He added, “We have invested in a combination of custom-designed and standard industry equipment to do just that.”

To learn more about Flexo Concepts, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint® doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.
New Polymer Doctor Blades with MicroTip Are Best for Applying Special Effects Coating

Anyone who uses doctor blades for printing knows the range of options available today. From the thickness of the material to the tip configuration, a doctor blade’s design has a direct impact on the job it will do. While traditional tip options have ranged from straight to rounded to lamella, the new kid on the block, “MicroTip,” offers printers a smart choice when applying special effects coating.

Special effects coatings are challenging

More and more, packaging companies are using specialty coatings to differentiate their brands and create a tactile and visual experience for consumers. However, special coatings such as glitter, grit, soft-touch, metallics and pearlescents present particular challenges for the printer. These coatings have high viscosities and contain larger particles which make it difficult to accurately control the amount of coating

being applied. (UV chemistries, common in specialty coating applications, have a viscosity of 5-7 times that of water and solvent-based formulas.) This higher viscosity applies extra pressure to the metering blade, resulting in hydroplaning or “spitting” (especially at high line speeds), and increases coating consumption and waste. In these cases, a customized blade solution is often necessary to control the lay-down of coating.

New Polymer Doctor Blades with MicroTips can help

Doctor blade manufacturers have found a way to make new polymer doctor blade materials that can overcome the limitations of steel in specialty coating applications. By engineering a modified lamella tip, known as a “MicroTip”, on these materials, they have introduced a doctor blade product that offers the best of traditional plastic and steel.

Why do they work?

When used to apply special effects coating, steel blades are subject to accelerated blade wear from the coarse anilox engravings and corrosion from the harsh coating chemistries. Today’s new polymer materials are compatible with all coating formulas and do what plastic blades are known to do best: last longer.

The blades can be engineered to a full range of size and profile combinations to optimize metering performance with the higher viscosity and large particulate formulas. They range in thickness from .027”/.7mm to .050”/1.25mm to offer varying degrees of stiffness, rigidity and deflection. These properties combined with the new MicroTip edge allow the blades to achieve a fine contact area with the anilox roll and deliver a fluid transfer of coating to the blanket with no spitting or slinging, even at high press speeds. Add to this a range of MicroTips, (M10, M15 and M25) and these blades can be customized for a “perfect fit.”

Doctor blade optimization for special effects coating

The choice of blade thickness and tip will be determined by the anilox configuration, which is driven by the viscosity and solid load of the coating. Typically, higher line screens and lower cell volumes will require a smaller MicroTip (an M10 or M15 for dull/satin/gloss coatings for example), but as line screens decline and volumes increase, a MicroTip providing a larger contact area (M15 or M25) will perform better. By optimizing their next generation polymer doctor blades with the appropriate MicroTip, printers are able to achieve longer blade life in these applications than with steel.

If you’re a printer struggling with special effects coating, consider switching to a next generation polymer doctor blade with a MicroTip. A magical combination of advanced material and tip might be just what you need to achieve a perfect lay-down of coating with longer blade life to boot.

Request a Free TruPoint Doctor Blade Sample
Etirama to Export New Presses with TruPoint Orange® Doctor Blades

Plymouth, MA, May 19, 2016. Flexo Concepts® announced today that Etirama will soon be exporting all new presses with TruPoint Orange doctor blades. The blades were selected for safety, consistent print quality and elimination of UV ink spitting.

Each new press installation will include several TruPoint Orange blades with variations of the exclusive MicroTip® edge for specific applications. A MicroTip 8 will provide longer blade life for customers that produce process work while MicroTip 10 is a more robust option for white decks and coarser anilox rolls.

Etirama plans to introduce its newest modular label press, the 350mm Superprint Evolution, at a corporate launch event in June. Etirama’s smaller FIT flexo press will also be on display, and all equipment will be running with TruPoint Orange doctor blades.

Over 500 industry professionals from the region are expected to attend the event which will be held at the company’s manufacturing facility in Brazil. Flexo Concepts will be represented by its Brazilian distributor, Groupwork, and joined by other co-suppliers including Avery Dennison, Apex, Crown and Rotometrics.

Located near Sao Paulo, Etirama is the leading manufacturer of narrow-web flexographic label presses in Latin America with machines installed in almost forty countries worldwide. The company maintains its own engineering department and leverages its international partnerships to develop industry-leading technology.

To learn more about the TruPoint Orange doctor blade, visit www.flexoconcepts.com. To access a complete press kit, go to www.flexoconcepts.com/media/.

About Flexo Concepts
Headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Flexo Concepts manufactures TruPoint doctor blades and wash-up blades and MicroClean™ dry media anilox cleaning systems. 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/. For regular updates, follow Flexo Concepts on Facebook and Twitter.