Travel through the most beautiful labels
Discover how label converters can create the most beautiful labels, in one pass, thanks to Codimag technology
How Aniflo improves your productivty for short run. An article by Printweek India
In a tech-talk with Benoit Demol, president, Codimag about the Aniflo technology
The new Codimag Aniflo Viva 340 is a modular press. Explain the extent of modularity and flexibility?
Among semi-rotary presses, Codimag’s is the only one that combines high-speed, output and easy set-up. The one that you see here is a press with hotfoil stamping, embossing, foiling, with screen and a flexo head. You see a press that can print virtually any label job. And it is so precise, that it can do re-registration. You can do a six-colour job and come back to do another six colours on the pre-printed rolls. Moreover, Codimag technology is an open solution. It can facilitate communication with any software including pre-press workflow, MIS and ERP solutions. The new Codimag press is ready for Industry 4.0 standards.
Explain how the Aniflo inking works.
One rubber roller receives the ink from an anilox with a chambered anilox and a chambered doctor blade. These components enable fast changeovers. When you want to change the ink, you just change the anilox. If you are using something like a hexachrome print (Extended Gamut Printing) you don’t even need to change the inks. An important philosophy of Aniflo technology is ‘Extended Gamut Printing.’ This is the equivalent of digital printing, with a fixed palette of four to seven colours.
What’s the advantage?
It is commonly accepted that digital is good for runs of, say, 400-500 impressions. The breakeven on flexo is in practice somewhere between 14,000 and 15,000 impressions, primarily because of the plate cost. With Aniflo, you have a machine that starts breaking even at 500 to 600 impressions, a little more than the breakeven point for digital. Moreover, it gives consistency of flexo because of the inking system, resulting in a very high quality print. Levels of 200lpi are the norm and stochastic screen can be achieved at 2400dpi.
Shorter ink chain has also been featured by Heidelberg’s Anicolor. How different is the temperature control in Codimag?
If you look at the structure, the conventional flexo press has the ink train, which is huge; plate cylinder; blanket; and the impression cylinder. With Codimag’s Aniflo technology, you have the anilox roller, chamber doctor blade, one rubber roller, plate, and blanket impression roller. Here you have the anilox with precise temperature control to vary the ink density from the roller with blanket and bearer. This also gives the advantage of eliminating the occurrence of ghosting. Furthermore, Anicolor is using wet offset technology, whereas Codimag’s technology, Aniflo, uses waterless offset technology, avoiding the need for ink/water balance settings, thus achieving optimum results directly without any adjustment.
Explain the process of precisely controlling the ink shades and time required for the shift and wastage?
There are several points of temperature control in an Aniflo unit. In the Anilox, the temperature control offers the opportunity to adjust density by influencing the viscosity of the ink. Additionally a patented IR temperature control on the blanket allows for even transfer of ink.
Eliminating water from the process leads to rise in temperature due to friction. How is that taken care of?
By using the waterless offset technology with compatible plates, there is no need for ink/water balance settings. Temperature uniformity is maintained in the anilox. Basically, you are controlling the flow of the ink by controlling the temperature in the anilox. At the blanket level, you want the ink to be transferred completely, which is helped by the IR system. Heating the blanket eases the transfer on the substrate. It’s a combination process that is perfected without any consumable requirement or playing around with keys or eliminating the whole process of the ink-water balance. In short, it controls density consistency and does not require – ink-water balance, key adjustment, which eliminates ghosting, toning, and inertia. Plus because it is a semi rotary press, there’s no cooling required. It can be programmed to run any repeat you want at a speed of 60-75 metres per minute.
But the conventional flexo presses run at around 120-150 metres per minute, some even faster?
These are high-end presses sure, but when they are running at the label print plants, I wonder how many of them really run it at that speed when doing high colour jobs, which would generally then be run at 80-90 mtrs per minute. Furthermore, if you add finishing units, the speed has to be reduced (die cut, foil, screen print…). That’s why the speed is not the limit, the key factor to produce more is to reduce set up time, and that’s precisely whats Aniflo offer, with the lowest set up time and waste, a strong flexibility with semi rotary technology.
No ink keys mean you lose control over the ink zones. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Any printing process demands that you need equal density on all the four corners, along and across the web. That’s what the Aniflo does. There are different views. A label printer may view it as a disadvantage, while some see it as an advantage, because you no longer have the ink keys which the operator will use as per his perception as a result, inconsistency creeps into a job. Aniflo is stable, predictable and repeatable. You print precisely what you want. Aniflo offers repeatability, just like flexo. But with the Aniflo, you are able to vary the density without changing anilox but tweaking the temperature.
How about plate availability?
The main suppliers of waterless offset plates are Toray, and Presstek. In India, Toray is now enhancing the availability of its plates through its partnership with TechNova. Compared to flexo, the plate cost for the Aniflo technology is low, and this contributes to a lower break-even point.
What’s the makeready time?
Codimag is perhaps the only press maker at the Labelexpo show which will accept a computer file from the customer, and print it in 30 minutes. The plates are imaged, processed, and mounted, and the job is printed at the stand. Incidentally, if you have a prepared plate, it’s a question of mounting and running it. The web path is straight throughout, so there’s less wastage. It’s a servo controlled system, so once the repeat size is specified, the makeready time should be less than 10 minutes.
The dry offset plates have silicone coating, does that affect disposal?
It is as environment-friendly as any process using UV inks. As for the silicon coating, in the whole pressure-sensitive industry, every release liner has a silicone coating, which is million times more than the plate volume.
Read full article on http://www.printweek.in/features/demol-aniflo-label-job-break-500-600-impressions-27276
Codimag appoints DewaFlex as regional partner to strengthen support in Benelux
Codimag appoints DewaFlex as regional partner to strengthen support in Benelux
Bondoufle, France, 17 April, 2018:
Label press manufacturer Codimag has appointed DewaFlex as strategic business partners for the Benelux, as the company seeks to expand its presence and make its Aniflo printing technology more accessible to the region’s label converters for short and medium runs.
Founded in 2013 with headquarters in Roubaix, France, DewaFlex works in close partnership with label and packaging converters in that country and across the Benelux, providing comprehensive technical support, advice and business consultancy on behalf of leading flexo and offset technology providers.
Codimag’s Aniflo technology, featured in the company’s 340mm and 420mm-wide VIVA presses, comprises a waterless offset unit, offset plates and a simple anilox ink delivery system. Its ability to achieve high definition print at speeds up to 75m/min with minimal manual input, low waste and plate imaging times of just three minutes make Aniflo presses ideal for meeting a growing demand for high-quality labels in run lengths up to 8000 linear metres. Presses can optionally include a choice of value-added finishing processes inline such as rotary and flat-bed hot foil stamping, embossing, flexo varnish and lamination, intermittent rotary screen printing, die cutting, stripping and slitting.
Benoit Demol, president, Codimag, comments: “Increasingly, Benelux label printers are seeking ways to meet the growing demand from the region’s retail goods producers for shorter production runs and fast turnaround times. With its short setup times, offset-equivalent quality on a wide range of substrates, high speed and controlled ink costs, Codimag’s Aniflo presses provide a competitive solution for offering a flexible service, as well as meeting high output targets.”
The announcement follows the installation of a VIVA 340 label press in the first quarter of 2018 at a label printing facility in the West Flanders province of Belgium, supplying the food and beverage markets. DewaFlex’s initial plans for the region are to raise awareness and understanding of the Aniflo process as well as its benefits, for a wide range of consumer labelling markets.
Demol comments: “Working with DewaFlex in France gave us an appreciation of the company’s deep knowledge of the printing and narrow web markets. We were also delighted to partner with Dewaflex because of their dynamism, a strong service-oriented culture, integrity and a commitment to creating value for our customers.”
Pieter Dewaele, founder and managing director, DewaFlex, comments: “We are looking forward to starting our partnership with Codimag, as we share their vision of working together with customers in order to achieve better printing results. We are happy to be offered the opportunity to partner up with Codimag and their innovative Aniflo printing system.”
The appointment of DewaFlex is part of Codimag’s wider plan to strengthen its world-wide sales and support network. Codimag has appointed Graw as its representatives for Poland, and is in discussion with candidate agencies for Croatia, Russia, Slovenia and South East Asia.
Photo Caption
Left to right: From Dewaflex, Niels Soenen (commercial sales manager) and Pieter Dewaele (founder and managing director); and from Codimag, Benoit Demol (president) and Jean-Claude Léger (sales engineer France / Benelux)
About Aniflo Technology
Aniflo combines offset quality, flexo simplicity and digital flexibility. It features an offset unit, with offset plates and a simple anilox delivery system that brings a uniform ink amount across the web. With low operational costs, Aniflo is an economical choice for high-definition quality short and medium runs on any commonly used label substrate – filmic or paper. Plate costs and imaging times are very short: all plates for the press can be prepared within about 15 minutes. Because it is intermittent, fewer consumables are needed, making Aniflo suited for short and medium run work. The high definition capability and superior stability means Aniflo can print in extended gamut, offering over 90 percent of the PMS colours without any need for ink changes and consequential washing.
About Codimag
For 40 years, Codimag has designed, manufactured and sold printing presses with high added-value at its facilities in Bondoufle, France. Today, it is the world leader in intermittent waterless offset label printing. Codimag offers solutions tailored to label printers’ needs with a high level of innovation, both in terms in technology and application, making its presses productive and cost-effective for many different markets. With a worldwide network of agents, Codimag is able to take its technologies around the world, and support its customers in a profitable, long-term relationship.
About DewaFlex
Since 2013, DewaFlex has helped customers throughout France and the Benelux improve print performance and quality, as a commercial agent and technical advisor in flexo and related printing industries.
A comprehensive range of print product is offered by DewaFlex such as plate mounting machines, slitter/rewinders and anilox rolls, with reputable brands including JM Heaford, Flexor and Apex International.
DewaFlex also specializes in anilox cleaning and maintenance solutions, offering self-developed daily cleaning products, ultrasonic cleaning machines, and deep cleaning on site (www.dewaclean.net).
For Further Press Information
For further press information, please contact Pierre Panel, export sales manager, Codimag
Telephone: +33 (0)1 60 86 40 75; Email: office@codimag.fr
Visit the Codimag website at : www.codimag.fr / Twitter: @Codimag_FR
Postal Address:
Codimag, Z.I. Les Bordes, 2, rue Louis Nicolas Robert, 91924 Bondoufle Cedex
PR Contact:
Adrian Tippetts, Tippetts & Partners Ltd, Telephone: +44 (0)7799 14 18 42; Email: Adrian@adriantippetts.com
Codimag appoints GRAW as agents for its Aniflo label printing technology in Poland
Codimag expands its international agent network by choosing Graw as partner for the Polish market.
Bondoufle, France, 8 March, 2018:
Label press manufacturer Codimag is expanding its global support network by appointing GRAW, based in Ozorków (Łódź), as agents for Poland. Established in 1994 and comprising 13 staff, GRAW represents several leading providers of technology to the label and packaging converting industry.
Codimag’s roll-to-roll label printing presses are based on the company’s Aniflo technology, which comprises a waterless offset unit, with offset plates and a simple anilox ink delivery system. The process combines the high quality and fast pre-press workflow of offset, with the operational simplicity of flexo. High-definition plates can be imaged within three minutes, assuring fast setup times and outstanding quality on all commonly used label substrates. Aniflo’s stability allows expanded gamut printing, reaching over 90 per cent of the PANTONE® Colour range without ink changes or consequential washing, and speeds of up to 75 metres per minute. For offset and flexo printers especially, Aniflo is easy to understand, as operators will be familiar with the workflow and method of ink supply.
Codimag offers dedicated and hybrid label presses based on its Aniflo technology. The 340mm-wide VIVA 340 and 420mm-wide VIVA 420 presses include value-added finishing processes inline such as rotary and flat-bed hot foil stamping, embossing, flexo varnish and lamination, intermittent rotary screen printing, die cutting, stripping and slitting. The 340mm-wide Viva 340 Evolution, a dedicated six-colour Aniflo press is ideal for integration with an existing offline finishing workflow.
Benoit Demol, managing director, Codimag, comments: “We have been advised by a mutual partner to work with GRAW. We first met them during Labelexpo Europe 2017, and we appreciated their enthusiasm, dynamism, and their very deep understanding of the narrow web market.
“The partnership comes at a time when brand owners in Poland are seeking supplies of labels and packaging in shorter volumes and, often, with reduced lead-times. The support of GRAW will give easier access to Codimag’s VIVA Aniflo printing technology, and provide the country’s label converters a with competitive, productive solution for the growing proportion of orders ranging between 250 and 8000 linear metres, without the excessive ink costs.”
Richard Drozd, chief executive officer, GRAW comments: “We are very happy to start the collaboration with Codimag. We have almost 25 years of experience in introducing innovative solutions and technologies to the Polish printing market. Narrow web printers represent a large proportion of our clientele and, by representing Codimag, we will be able to introduce innovative technologies such as Aniflo to the Polish market. Together we will put every effort to make solutions offered by Codimag widely recognised and appreciated as other technologies. Our company has just entered a phase of dynamic growth and we are expanding our offer with high quality solutions. Therefore, we see our partnership with Codimag as a great success and important moment in the history of our company. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful cooperation.”
Codimag intends to further strengthen its global sales network, and is currently in discussion with agents in Croatia and Slovenia, Russia and South East Asia.
About Aniflo Technology
Aniflo combines offset quality, flexo simplicity and digital flexibility. It features an offset unit, with offset plates and a simple anilox delivery system that brings a uniform ink amount across the web. With low operational costs, Aniflo is an economical choice for high-definition quality short and medium runs on any commonly used label substrate – filmic or paper. Plate costs and imaging times are very short: all plates for the press can be prepared within about 15 minutes. Because it is intermittent, fewer consumables are needed, making Aniflo suited for short and medium run work. The high definition capability and superior stability means Aniflo can print in extended gamut, offering over 90 per cent of the PANTONE® Colour range without any need for ink changes and consequential washing.
About Codimag
For 40 years, Codimag has designed, manufactured and sold printing presses with high added-value at its facilities in Bondoufle, France. Today, it is the world leader in intermittent waterless offset label printing. Codimag offers solutions tailored to label printers’ needs with a high level of innovation, both in terms of technology and application, making its presses productive and cost-effective for many different markets. With a worldwide network of agents, Codimag is able to take its technologies around the world, and support its customers in a profitable, long-term relationship.
For Further Press Information
For further press information, please contact Pierre Panel, export sales manager, Codimag
Telephone: +33 (0)1 60 86 40 75; Email: office@codimag.fr
Visit the Codimag website at : www.codimag.fr / Twitter: @Codimag_FR
Postal Address:
Codimag, Z.I. Les Bordes, 2, rue Louis Nicolas Robert, 91924 Bondoufle Cedex
PR Contact:
Adrian Tippetts, Tippetts & Partners Ltd, Telephone: +44 (0)7799 14 18 42; Email: Adrian@adriantippetts.com
PU GRAW
Michał Brendzel- Sales Manager
Tel.+48 42 718 21 21
Email: graw@graw.pl
Postal address:
ul. Kolejowa 2,
95-035 Ozorków,
Poland
The new age of printing presses
Offering quality and efficient solutions that are tailored to label printers’ needs, Codimag is the world leader in intermittent waterless offset label printing. Its new Aniflo technology combines offset quality, flexo simplicity and digital flexibility to provide its clients with state-of-the-art label-printing presses. Converting Today speaks with Pierre Panel, export sales engineer at the company, to learn more.