Digital press pioneer Xeikon will be a major exhibitor at Labelexpo, where the company will demonstrate its digital label production solution LabelSprint. LabelSprint is based on the digital webpress Xeikon DCP 320 S, working in combination with in-line finishing. LabelSprint was first introduced at Labelexpo 2001 in Brussels and proved to be a successful concept. The configuration shown at this year’s Labelexpo contains a range of improvements and updates, which Xeikon says makes the system even more reliable, versatile and productive.
The Xeikon DCP 320 S press is the 32cm or 33cm wide digital webpress, printing simplex in five colours: CMYK and white. The fifth colour station can now also be used to print with a dedicated, specially produced spot colour toner like orange, green, special company colours or security toners.
The press prints at the full speed of 14.7 m/minute (48 ft/minute) or at the half speed of 7.35 m/minute (24 ft/minute). The press is equipped with a special contact fuser to allow printing on a wide range of typical labelstock: paper, PP, polyesters or other synthetic media. 600x600 dpi printing at 16 grey levels per dot guarantees the well-known high offset print quality look of the Xeikon presses. The in-line finishing line contains a UV coating system, including a lamination unit and performs other labelling finishing functions such as rotary die-cutting, slitting, stripping and rewinding.
The line can be extended with sheeting, foil stamping and adhesive coating functions. The flexibility of the press is matched with the ease of operation of the in-line finishing street. Installing new die-cutting sleeves or other operations are executed in seconds and the entire operation can be controlled via a comprehensive touch-screen interface. The operator can switch from one job to another without halting the system. The configuration is completed with a digital web guiding system and a video-inspection system for more control and accuracy. In line finishing with the Xeikon press offers the advantage of having a complete label production street at a small footprint, managed completely with only one operator.
