Gallus has unveiled a pre-series model of its new-generation Labelmaster, based on the Gallus Labelfire 340 and targeted at high-quality packaging and label applications.
The new-generation machine, designed to run at up to 200m/min, was introduced at the Gallus Innovation Days, held on 20-22 September at the company headquarters in St Gallen, Switzerland.
Labelmaster has a special platform design and can be configured by customers to their specific requirements, said Gallus. It features open interfaces and builds on the design principle of Heidelberg’s Speedmaster offset printing presses.
“Gallus and Heidelberg have harnessed a great many synergies in developing the new platform technology for the label market,” said Stephan Plenz, a member of the Heidelberg Management Board responsible for equipment.
“A modular design and a reduction in complexity benefit both sets of customers, sheetfed and label market, and make them more competitive.”
Gallus is set to launch the first series machines with a web width of 440 mm, followed by wider widths. The first machine is being field tested by a customer and the first series deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of next year.
Labelmaster consists of three variants of modules, each of two printing units. The basic version of the module covers standards label printing. The ‘Plus’ version allows greater flexibility and the ‘Advanced’ version is highly configurable.
Gallus claims the modular approach will enable label printers to meet any market requirement while investing less than required for previous premium products.
A new locking system facilitates changing of printing units, ensuring “100% register accuracy from the moment the press is started up, regardless of what substrate is chosen”. The system also supports substrates,from paper and PE to PP and foil.
The press can be controlled centrally via an HMI touch panel as well as manual intervention. The lightweight aluminium printing cylinders that have been specially developed for this machine type can be changed in just a few quick steps, thus ensuring that job changes can be completed with unparalleled speed.
A short web path of just 1.1m from printing unit to printing unit cuts waste and an optimised ink duct for the chambered doctor blade needs just 250g of ink and keeps costs down.
The newly designed flexographic printing unit – developed with the experience from the structural principles of the Heidelberg sheetfed offset printing – is driven directly by two servomotors. The press can also be equipped with a newly developed screen printing unit.