Predictable print results combined with increased speeds demonstrated at the show.
MPS introduced its new E-Sleeve technology at Labelexpo Europe 2019 (booth 11C20) September 24-27 in Brussels, with key features presented in live demonstrations on the EF SYMJET hybrid press.
Designed as a superior alternative to traditional sleeves that use compressible material, the new MPS E-Sleeve enables printers to generate predictable results at increased speeds, with guaranteed quality tolerances and more reliable production cost calculations.
“Flexographic printing sleeves play a critical role in the overall flexo printing process, as they have a major influence on print efficiency and quality,” said Bert van den Brink, MPS Co-Founder.“We at MPS saw the need to change from sleeves that use an aero-mounting principle with a compressible inner core, to a design with precise concentricity across the entire plate for optimum print results. It’s a game changer for the printing industry!”
Key features of the MPS E-Sleeve include optimum pressure settings to avoid unnecessary bouncing, precise concentric run out properties, constant parallelism for ideal register across the entire print length and increased dimensional accuracy for optimum register between all colours and die stations.
With a reduced weight, MPS E-Sleeves provide easier and faster job changeovers and lower lifetime tooling costs through improved durability.
Also at Labelexpo Europe was the launch of a wider version (17” / 430 mm) hybrid MPS EF SYMJET press integrated with the new Domino N617i unit. The press is equipped with five flexo stations, digital cold foil, a Kurz cold foil unit for single images and optical effects, lamination and die-cutting.
The main theme on the MPS booth at Labelexpo was ‘Beyond the Machine’ where visitors learnt more about MPS and their strengths in four key processes: Connectivity, Applications, Productivity and Service.
Introducing Talktome connectivity platform into all machines
The innovative MPS Talktome connectivity technology, providing real-time data exchange and control, will now be introduced into all future MPS presses on a global scale. “With 23 years’ experience, MPS has proven superior results in providing customers world-wide premium flexo printing presses that perform with high quality and speed,” said Bert van den Brink, MPS Co-Founder. “However, MPS strives to deliver even better performance for our customers in areas of job changeovers, services, operator training and measuring results by using the intelligence from our presses to create process and workflow improvements for the printing machine.
“Today, with the Internet of Things (IoT), connectivity developments and techniques are now available at a large scale with intensive security and robustness. MPS embraced and implemented these connectivity capabilities to create a platform for our customers which give more insight into their processes and equipment productivity, with performance measurement and analysing services.”
Initially debuting at Labelexpo Europe 2017, the MPS Talktome connectivity platform connects printing machines and workflow with Management Information Systems (MIS) for real-time data exchange and control.
Data to be exchanged from the MIS to press includes all job-related machine settings and tooling information presented to the operator in the job queue. Data from the press to MIS consists of the printing speed, metres/yards printed (order status), waste produced (waste sheets), set-up and printing time.
Easy to intensive Talktome performance programs will be offered by MPS for initial and ongoing improvements. Labelexpo Europe visitors learn about the overall Talktome connectivity program as part of the ‘Beyond the Machine’ experience on MPS booth.
First edition of MPS Label Awards
To commemorate printing excellence of unique label applications, MPS invited customers to submit their finest labels printed on MPS presses for a chance to win an award. The first-edition MPS Label Awards ceremony announcing the winners was held in glamourous Hollywood red carpet style on day two of Labelexpo Europe, on the MPS booth.
Winners were chosen out of 32 nominated labels from MPS customers all over the world. A selection of winners in different categories was made by an independent jury consisting of Dirk Goethals, Business Unit & Sales Manager of Athena Graphics, Gregory Bentley – Global Primary Packaging Director, Global Innovation & Technology Department of AB InBev, and Hans Poortinga, MPS Manager Technology & Expertise Centre (and experienced printing expert).
The over-all gold award winner received a free year of a Summum Service Level Agreement for one MPS press, valued at €7.500.
