Trade shows, especially Labelexpo Americas, are venues where
visitors come to learn about new equipment and technologies, with an eye
towards bringing back solutions that can improve their companies’ bottom lines.
With this in mind, visiting Codimag’s booth #5803 is a must.
Codimag incorporates a combination of press technologies
that delivers short-run printing that is more profitable than digital and
faster than flexo. Unique features include intermittent-feed presses that allow
format changes to be done without changing any cylinders, and Codimag’s Aniflo
technology, an anilox-based waterless offset inking system.
Intermittent feed presses and servo control of web motion
enable short makereadies, low waste, and high productivity. The only
job-specific component to change is the plate, which can be mounted quickly
onto the press without any tooling. Pre-register positioning is done
electronically and displayed at each unit. No plate cylinders to changeover; no
die cylinders to changeover; no stickyback; no impression setting.
Codimag’s Aniflo technology is truly unique. It uses four
cylinders in the ink train (anilox sleeve, form roller, blanket, and plate
rollers). Each has the same diameter, eliminating offset tinting and ghosting
issues. The press uses paste waterless offset inks (available from common ink
suppliers) and incorporates a patented heat control system that allows the
operator to vary the temperature of the anilox. This is how the Aniflo controls
color density: warmer temperature thins the ink, lowering the color density;
cooler temperature makes the ink thicker to increase color density. There are no
ink keys and ink-water balance issues to contend with as in traditional offset
printing.
Codimag offers these technologies in two product lines: the
Viva 340 (13” web width) and the Viva 420 (16” web width). The Viva line offers
combination printing capabilities including waterless offset, letterpress, and
screen, along with the efficiency of inline converting processes (hot and cold
foil stamping, embossing, lamination, flexo varnish, die cutting).
The Viva presses also have two unique value-added features:
- Codimag’s patented hot foil unit includes a foil saver, but more importantly, uses low-cost magnesium plates (very cost effective for short runs).
- Codimag’s screen unit is semi-rotary and only requires one set of end rings and screens for all repeat sizes (eliminating costly tooling).
- To demonstrate its unique capabilities, Codimag will be the only press manufacturer at Labelexpo running live customer demos. Using Esko Equinox prepress technology, a proofer, a waterless CTP device to image the plates, a plate washing system, and the Viva 340 Aniflo press, Codimag will take a customer file, produce printed labels, compare color to the proof, and show cost comparisons to digital and flexo – all in less than 40 minutes.
