Topflight Corporation, an industry leading
label printer and specialty converter, is the latest company to install a
DICEweb color inkjet system from Prototype & Production Systems, Inc (PPSI)
of Plymouth, MN. Running at double the speed of many stand-alone digital
printers, DICEweb is the new generation of PPSI’s inkjet color engines for
adding quality digital color capability to narrow-web presses.
Based in Glen Rock, PA, Topflight has been
meeting the needs of demanding customers in the medical device, pharmaceutical
and personal care industries for over 60 years. With its experience in
combining innovative technology with conventional printing and finishing
processes, Topflight turned to PPSI to supply a custom-designed DICEweb system
to provide digital printing capability in-line with one of its more than 20
flexographic presses.
DICEweb is a 1-6 color add-on UV inkjet
print engine that can be retrofitted to an existing flexographic printing
press. Because it mounts on the press, the printer can make use of existing
investments in finishing equipment as well as laying down primer, white or
varnish with the flexo units. This gives the printer the best of both digital
and analog worlds: digital printing for short runs and variable data,
accurately registered to conventional flexo printing and inline finishing.
According to Topflight’s Director of
Operations, Tonya D. Nye: “We saw the need to go digital because we are getting
more customers who want short runs and variable data labels. We looked at some
stand-alone printing systems, but we have several million dollars’ investment
in dies, so we wanted to be able to print digitally without having to invest in
new tooling. The DICEweb system gives us the 4-color digital printing
capability we wanted, while making use of one of our custom flexo presses to
apply primer and to die-cut.”
Adds Plant Manager Brian Litvak: “Our
operators have been through the DICE training and we are getting a good understanding
of how to get the most from the system. We’re a lean manufacturing plant, and
we’re organizing the workflow to maximize throughput. The printer runs at over
160 feet/minute, which is faster than most digital printers, so getting the
set-ups and job queuing right is important.”
Chuck Raymond, President of PPSI commented:
“We’re delighted to have Topflight as a customer for our newest product. We
added features like an automatic printhead cleaning station with
quality-focused users like Topflight in mind, and we are looking forward to a
long relationship as our technology develops to keep pace with their needs.”
Topflight Corporation is a privately held,
ISO 9001:2008 and 13485:2003 certified company which manufactures primary and
secondary labels, precision die-cut components, shrink sleeves and conductive
parts for the Medical Device, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics and Personal Care,
Electronics and Durable Goods industries. Headquartered in Glen Rock, PA,
Topflight also has locations in Switzerland, Venezuela and Australia.
Prototype & Production Systems, Inc is a
digital printing and custom automation design & manufacturing company based
near Minneapolis, MN. In business for over 25 years, PPSI delivers roll-fed and
conveyor-based inkjet printing equipment and inks to the printing and packaging
industry, and to major brand-owners.
