New gravure press range promises high productivity

Related tags Printing

Windmöller & Hölscher has launched a new gravure press range
designed to meet current demands for excellent print quality
combined with high productivity.

The company claims that the modular design of the Heliostar G system allows for customised press configurations to accommodate specific user requirements and market needs. Additional features can be retrofitted any time to extend the machines' application possibilities as and when necessary.

The presses can be equipped with up to 12 print stations and are available with maximum printing widths from 900 mm to 1,700 mm. High printing speeds of up to 600 m/min ensure optimal productivity.

The first model - the Heliostar GL - uses a modern slide-in cart system. This means that the slide-in cart for the next job is equipped with the gravure cylinder and the inking components outside the press and inserted into the print station as a complete unit.

The second model meanwhile, the Heliostar GE, features Ecoplus automatic press make-ready for easy and fast job changeovers. Either the gravure cylinders only or the cylinders and the ink pans are automatically and simultaneously changed on all print stations.

Because of the open frame design of the Heliostar G, the impression roller can be changed through the frame, maintaining the web tension. Using the PMR (Pre-Make-Ready) system, this can also be done on print stations not used on the current job, without interrupting production.

According to order structure, this facility notably increases the effective up-time of the gravure press. A laser aided pre-register system is another contribution towards faster press set-up, shorter change-over times and minimised start-up waste.

Another feature of both gravure press types is that neither bearings nor couplings need to be prepared for positioning the gravure cylinders within the print stations. The gravure cylinders automatically connect to the direct drives.

Other innovations include the doctor blades and dryer nozzles, which can be changed and cleaned without using tools. High capacity dryers ensure perfect drying with minimum residual solvent in the printed product also at high printing speeds.

A choice is given of single-hood, double-hood, or jumbo drying systems, which will depend upon the specific printing applications to be served.

Germany-based Windmöller & Hölscher​ says that optimised web conditioning units guarantee the highest print quality also on critical extensible substrates. Optional in-line finishing modules are available for incorporation downstream of the gravure press, including cold-seal, PVDC, and hot-melt applications as well as solvent based and solvent-free lamination.

Related topics Processing & Packaging

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