New system on FL3 and FL5 presses covers inking, print impression, and registration
UK Edale has launched its AIIR system to enhance flexo print automation through auto inking, print impression, and camera-controlled liner and cross registration.
Edale has teamed up with press control system specialist AVT to integrate its camerabased technology into the Edale range of FL3 and FL5 flexo presses, guaranteeing what Edale describes as “an optimal level of registration not seen before in single pass printing”.
Through software developed by Edale five additional motors, individually positioned on each print station adjust the print impression, inking, and cross register.
AIIR is available as standard on all new Edale FL5 pressesand can be purchased as an option on the FL3.
Fully automating print and registration processes can reduce operator interventions, leading to fewer errors and a more consistent, higher-quality final product, according to Edale.
In AIIR’s linear and cross registration, registration marks are printed on each station and
fed through to the AVT Helios S camera positioned at the end of the press. The camera analyses the marks’ positions and sends corrections to the print stations.
Tracking software ensures no additional corrections are made until the initial corrections have passed the camera, overcoming the common problem of over enthusiastic operator, according to Edale.
To minimise waste, the AVT Helios S camera registration implementation is designed to complement Edale’s pre-register and print-to-mark register systems, ensuring a saleable product within two web lengths of the machine, said Edale.
AIIR’s motorised automated print pressure control reduces operator inputs and time needed to set up a job by applying saved job data or material calliper, said Edale. Print consistency is enhanced through operatordefined profiles that adjust pressure relative to press speed.
Edale claims AIIR also takes automation and quality to a new level by analysing all the print stations during makeready and adjusting the plate and anilox rollers automatically.
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Edale claims to have achieved ‘an optimal level of registration in single-pass printing’