SubscribeThe business of folding cartons has become increasingly difficult in the past several years. Customers are demanding the highest printing quality and the lowest prices. In these tough market conditions, many sheet fed offset folding carton printers are looking for a cost effective system to produce short and medium runs.
ROTATEK offers the possibility to print and convert cartons in-line on an offset rotary press that can be equipped with multiple options such as flexography printing units, silkscreen units, laminating, hot stamping, embossing, die-cutting.
The advantages of an in-line web fed production system compared to an off-line system are as follows:
- Printing and converting are combined in one machine transforming raw material into finished products in a single pass.
- High printing quality of the finished products as they are printed in offset, the same technology used when the cartons are printed in sheets.
- Reduced material waste since the cartons are produced in just one machine. Another waste saving factor is the removal of the gripper waste. In total we could save up to 10%. If we consider that 60% of the final cost of the carton is the paperboard cost, you can imagine how much money you can save just changing from an off-line to an in-line process.
- Material cost is reduced about 5-10% as it is purchased in rolls.
- Quicker make ready as the job is set up in just one machine.
- Shorter delivery times of the finished product, and therefore improved service.
- Capital investment is reduced.
- Less manpower.
- Cartons are finished in-house.
- Higher productivity.
Each machine is configured according to customer’s specifications, however we should have in mind some considerations when the press is configured.
The first important point is the unwind roll capacity. It should be able to accommodate at least 1,25 meter diameter rolls. However, for long runs bigger diameters or even a non-stop turret unwind unit would be very useful.
We also must consider the necessity to incorporate other printing systems on the offset press. Depending on which markets we are focussed on it is very useful to have a flexographic printing unit for varnishing or even a silkscreen unit for special printings such as Braille, scratch off, etc. Cold and hot foil stamping are an option that will add value to the cartons.
Regarding the converting section, it should be considered what kind of die-cutting system we are going to use: rotary or flat bed die cutting?
The delivery system is also very important, especially if production speeds are over 100 m/min.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Rotatek, S.A.
Avda. Graells, s/n
08190 Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona)
SPAIN
Tel: +34 93 674 52 50
Fax: +34 93 675 19 02
E-mail: rotatek@rotatek.com
Website: www.rotatek.com