The Time and Money Saving Guide for the Flexographic Printer

FlexoGuide is a free service of All Printing Resources, Inc. (APR). It is intended to keep our customers informed of new solution-oriented products, technical tips, saving opportunities, and APR services. Previous issues of FlexoGuide are available here.

FLEXOGUIDE TIPS

Tech Tip 1 - Controlling the Dot, Part III - Deviation of Dot Size
(Part 3 of a 5 part series) Provided by Tim Reece, APR's Technical Services Manager

Tech Tip 2 - Creating a digital file that can describe all of your different devices
Provided by Catherine Haynes, APR's Director of Training

TRAINING

New dates announced for Flexo Prepress Training
Prepress for Flexography 2-Day Training Program - November 31 & December 1
Basic Photoshop 1 Day Workshop - December 2

Pressman Training and Certification
Pressman Training and Certification Programs announced to achieve National Council of Skill Standards (NCSS) Expert Press Operator scheduled for November 3 and 4.

WHAT'S NEW

APR Introduces FlexoOrderPad Supply Chain Ordering Solution

Bieffebi introduces new Omnia 342
For narrow web plate mounting

FEATURED PRODUCTS

FlexoStep
The affordable solution to the time-consuming stepping, repeating, and distorting label and packaging artwork.

Graymills' Tempest Cabinet-Style Parts Cleaner
Forces away dried ink deposits and other contaminants without abrasive media.

Sonics' Ultrasonic Hand Held Welder
Excellent for welding lead and trail edge strips to PVC mounting materials for a stronger, cleaner looking corrugated plate mounts / saddles.

X-Rite's Award-winning Software
Use it to build ICC monitor, scanner, and printer profiles that bring accurate and consistent color across devices and paper types.

Tech Tip 1

Controlling the Dot Part 3 - "Deviation of Dot Size" (Part 3 of a 5 part series) Maintaining the perfect dot is not easy, and to do so we must control several factors, one of which is standard dot size. More specifically, holding dots within a tonal patch to have the same diameter measurement, or at the very least, a similar measurement. In theory we would hope that dots within a tonal patch would have an identical measurement across the face of the dot. But in the real world, this isn't the case. Film negatives, photopolymer plates, and printed samples can contain missing, bridging, slurring, or fragmented dots, which affect the deviation of dot size... Provided by Tim Reece, APR's Technical Services Manager Learn more...

Tech Tip 2

Profiling Your Process Makes More Sense than Ever With the ever increasing high-end print demands and continuously improving technology, profiling your process makes more sense than ever. The ability to create a digital file that can describe all of your different devices (cameras, scanners, proofers, and presses), once considered skeptically is now becoming second hand... Provided by Catherine Haynes, APR's Director of Training Learn more...

Announcing New Prepress Training Program Dates
These new workshops are designed for anyone that wants to gain knowledge required to design and implement prepress for the flexographic printing process or just improve the ability of jobs to run faster, cleaner and more profitably on a Flexo press.

Topics to be covered include:

• Why Flexo needs special attention from a design perspective
• The importance of color - color theory for process color printing
• Adobe Photoshop features including scanning and editing an image
• Adobe Illustrator features including importing scanned images, vignettes, and typography

In addition to learning Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator applications, we will also discuss importing and exporting flexographic flies, digital proofing devices and output of film for flexographic plates. The hands-on portion of these workshops will be ideal for guiding the participant through the prepress process.

Prepress for Flexography 2-Day Training Program - November 31 & December 1
Basic Photoshop 1 Day Workshop - December 2

Customized versions or the above programs or special dates for these programs are available for groups of four or more.

To register for either of the courses online, please go to: https://www.teamflexo.com/training/APRprepressRegister.asp

Expert Level Press Operator Training / Review and Examination for Certification by the NCSS National Council for Skill Standards

APR will conduct a Pressman Training Program followed by testing for Certification by the National Council of Skill Standards (NCSS) as a Expert Press Operator on November 3 and 4.

The purpose of the Flexo Expert Press Operator Certification program is to review, test and certify "Expert Level" Press Operators in the Flexographic Industry. The exam was developed in conjunction with the FTA and assesses knowledge at an expert level of performance. It facilitates the ability of flexo printers to benchmark their operators knowledge against predefined industry standards across a full knowledge base of the processes involved to produce repeatable quality flexographic print.

The National Skill Standard Board was established after The U.S. Departments of Education and Labor joined together to develop voluntary skill standards, benchmarked to the highest standards of America's International Competitors.

APR is honored to be approved to proctor the examination and offers a two-day review course designed to be taken just prior to taking the exam. All APR trainers have been Classified and Certified as "Expert Level Press Operators" by the NCSS.

To find out more specific information and to register for the class, please click the link below, or call 1-800-445-4017.

Learn more...

FlexoOrderpad & FlexoOrderpad Consignment
APR's Integrated Supply Chain Solution for Improved Inventory Management & Increased Productivity

Inventory supply chain management solutions, if done correctly, are an excellent way to reduce working capital costs and increase productivity. Programs such as Vendor Managed Inventory or consigned inventory can be excellent tools for reducing working capital expenses and improving service. However, if they are not done correctly, they can actually cause inefficiencies in the supply chain often resulting in stock-outs or ultimately higher costs for the supplier that is at times passed on in the cost of the product.

The biggest problems often occur with the need for the supplier or customer to perform periodic "counts" of inventory that trigger both the replenishment of the stock plus the billing for materials. If usages unexpectedly change within the normal counting period, stock-outs often occur and can result in downtime or expediting expenses. Cost of carrying larger amounts of inventory by the supplier result in higher costs, affecting the supplier's long term ability to maintain proper inventory amounts. Inventory stocking locations at many printers are often located at multiple locations or orders need to be built over time to minimize ordering costs.

A more real time solution offers the ability to better understand usage patterns and set up replenishment rules based on min / max criteria. It also allows the person or multiple people the ability to build an order from multiple stocking locations or build this order over time until the final order is ready to be placed.

APR has developed FlexoOrderpad!

How it works (please also see chart below):

1. FlexoOrderpad utilizes a state-of-the-art barcode scanning handheld device with customized software to either automatically scan in inventory items (APR items are provided with barcodes) or can be manually loaded in using the stylus and keypad on the device.

   Each item can be scanned in at the time of usage or all items can be scanned in on a periodic basis and saved until the final order is created.

   The system can be set up with items having pre-determined minimum order quantities to generate automatic inventory replenishments or order amounts.

2. Once the items are scanned in and order amounts are determined, the user inserts the handheld device into the modem. The modem automatically dials up to the APR server at a predetermined time interval.

3. Once the order information is received by the APR server, an order confirmation e-mail is generated to the user (or users if desired) confirming the items entered and the amounts either counted or requested for shipment. Please note, if an item not currently set up in the system is scanned in on error, the system will automatically generate an error report to the user.



4. The order is then loaded into the APR system for shipment. However, the order does not have to be re-keyed in, thus eliminating possible order entry errors.

5. The order is then electronically sent to APR's integrated barcode shipping system to be picked and shipped.

6. Another automatic e-mail is generated to the customer advising them when and what was shipped.

7. The information is also available for review, including previous order and usage information at APR's FlexoSource e-commerce site.

FlexoOrderpad Process:

Advantages of FlexoOrderpad Cosigned Inventory management Solution Include:

• Stock-outs are significantly reduced due to a more accurate picture of inventory available at your facilities.
• Remote ordering systems via FlexoOrderpad have been found to reduce the time it takes to place MRO orders and manage consigned inventory by 50%.
• There is also often a reduction in order entry errors (less manual intervention).

For more information or to schedule a demo of FlexoOrderpad, please call 1-800-445-4017 or e-mail us at info@teamflexo.com.

Bieffebi introduces new Unica 342 for narrow to mid-web plate mounting equipment

The UNICA 342 Mounting machine for mounting in register flexo plates carrying microdots or crosshairs for cylinders with repeat range 3" to 23.6" and printing widths up to 23.6 inches (600 mm).

The Camera mounting system consists of 2 black & white cameras with x40 magnification and 2 black & white 9" monitors. The cameras incorporate a small mirror segment. Each camera is provided with two LED's which feature an adjustable luminous intensity for a constant operation quality. The camera and register system belong to the same bar, which is vertically movable and manually controlled. One feeler pin on the right camera assures the proper focus distance. The two register units slide into a slot, which ensures their perfect alignment. This combination with the cameras guarantees the highest mounting accuracy available.

BIEFFEBI S.P.A. and All Printing Resources, Inc. have announced that effective November 1, 2004, All Printing Resources has been appointed as sole distributor for Bieffebi equipment in North America. All Printing Resources will also be handling spare part sales and will expand its equipment service capabilities to ensure proper support of Bieffebi equipment in the field.

FlexoStep Imposition Software
The low cost solution to improving stepping and repeating times.

FlexoStep is an affordable solution to the time-consuming process of stepping, repeating, and distorting label and packaging artwork.

FlexoStep imposition software is very simple to use and extremely fast. Just launch it from Macromedia Freehand or Adobe Illustrator, input the necessary parameters, and it's done.

Using FlexoStep ensures you can impose files straight from Freehand or Illustrator, eliminating the need to do time wasting file conversions. The time to step, repeat, distort, and add printer's marks is reduced from about 10-15 minutes to 10 seconds.

Blast away ink contamination without abrasive media with Graymills Tempest High Pressure Parts Cleaner

Heated aqueous detergent at 400 PSI forces away dried ink deposits and other contaminants without abrasive media.

When it comes to removing the toughest ink deposits or other contaminants, the Tempest High Pressure Spray Cabinet is without equal. Graymills has combined the cleaning action of a tough heated water-based industrial detergent with a 400 PSI concentrated spray. The result is a process that is both fast and effective. And since this is accomplished without the use of abrasives, precision machined parts like bearings can be cleaned without risk of damage.

• Powerful 3/4 HP pump delivers 2.2 gallons of filtered cleaning solution per minute at 400 PSI.
• A 1,000 watt electric heater ensures fast heat-up and steady temperature maintenance.
• Fluid is continuously filtered to trap chips and other solids to maintain efficient cleansing action and extend detergent life. Reusable 150 mesh filter.
• Flexible neoprene gloves protect worker's hands from contaminants on parts or cleaning agents, while allowing for easy manipulation of parts.
• Blower clears detergent spray and dirt from window for an uninterrupted view of workspace.
• Foot pedal operates air switch to provide instant on/off power to pump, leaving hands free to clean parts. No electrical on/off switch on floor.
• Cabinet illumination provided by two fluorescent lights for clear view of work.
• Power for the pump and the window blower is automatically cut if door is opened.
• Safety latch secures door when open.
• Economical, easy-to-change 10 gallon reservoir.
• Operator never comes in contact with cleaning solution or contamination.
• Unit available in mild steel or stainless steel.

The tremendous force generated by the spray strips deposits from intricate passages-even blind holes-with unprecedented speed. Unlike conventional spray cabinets with their pre-set spray patterns, Tempest allows you to direct the detergent stream where it is needed.

Tempest's convenient working height and lighted cabinet have been designed with the worker's needs in mind. The roomy 35-3/4'' W x 23'' D x 23'' H working space accommodates a variety of parts up to 500 lbs.

Hinged lower door gives easy access to pump and fluid reservoir, making fluid and filter changes a snap. For maximum cleaning efficiency, Graymills recommends using Aquatene™ 390 Low Foam Cleaning Solution.

Sonics Ultrasonic Hand-Held Welder

Sonics Ultrasonic hand-held welder is excellent for welding lead and trail edge strips to PVC mounting materials for a stronger, cleaner looking corrugated plate mounts / saddles.

This 500 watt device in frequencies of 20 kHz and 40 kHz, are lightweight and ideally suited for welding all types of lead and trail edge mounting strips to PVC mounting materials for resulting in an extremely strong bond and a uniform clean appearance. The unit consists of an ultrasonic power supply and a hand gun with a 10 ft. RF cable. Additional standard and custom tips are available.

X-Rite's Award Winning Monaco Software

X-Rite's award winning Monaco software can build ICC monitor, scanner, and printer profiles that bring accurate and consistent color across devices and paper types.

Get ultimate control in creating high quality ICC profiles with an innovative, quick and easy wizard-like interface. Put an end to trial and error color corrections and wasted ink and paper by ensuring your devices deliver the color you want.

• Wizard-like interface is easy-to-use
• Includes the MonacoOPTIXXR, a state-of-the-art colorimeter for profiling CRT and flat panel color displays.
• Includes an IT8 target for creating accurate profiles
• Edit profiles for greater control

X-Rite's OEM partner, ColorBurst Systems (CSE, Inc.), has created a custom version of their popular ColorBurst RIP for the Epson Stylus® Pro 4000 Professional Edition bundle, provided by Epson America, Inc. To enhance the quality of prints, ColorBurst includes ICC profiles generated by X-Rite's MonacoPROFILER 4.7, a new software application designed to create superior ICC profiles for RGB and CMYK printers, scanners, and CRT and flat panel displays. This custom version of the ColorBurst RIP enables users to manage and adjust input profiles and ink curves. The included ICC profiles provide users with the highest level color managed prints.

For more information, literature, pricing, or any other assistance, please call us at 1-800-445-4017 or e-mail us at info@teamflexo.com.

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