Spring 2006                    return to newsletter contents page

FPPA Member News

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DuPont Packaging Graphics to Relaunch DuPont^TM Cyrel^® Quality Assurance Tradeshop Program

DuPont Packaging Graphics has announced plans to make the DuPont™ Cyrel® Quality Assurance (QA) Tradeshop Partner program a key element of their marketing programs for 2006 and beyond. First introduced in the late ‘90s, the program was developed as an internal process and quality control tool used by participating Tradeshops. In order to become a DuPont Certified QA Partner, the Tradeshop must demonstrate the ability to consistently image and process Cyrel® plates following stringent standardized procedures.

Charlotte Cushing, senior technical service analyst and the technical sponsor of the QA Program, sees the benefits of actively promoting the QA Program to flexographic printers. “The quality expectations in our industry have risen dramatically in the last five-years, and printers want to be assured that they’re being supplied the best possible plate - ready for press,” said Cushing. “QA Partners have made significant investments in training, equipment and QA tools to help them ensure that they can satisfy the need for consistency and quality that printers are demanding.”

According to Bob Zoelle, North American regional director, it makes sense for DuPont to actively support QA Partners. “A reliable supply of high-quality, press-ready flexo plates benefits the entire industry. This is a true win-win and we need to get the message out.” Zoelle went on to note that the success of the North American QA Tradeshop program has sparked an interest in Europe, Latin America and Asia, with the possibility of globalizing the program.

Anyone interested in the Cyrel® QA Tradeshop Partner program is encouraged to contact their local DuPont™ Cyrel® representative to get complete program details or visit our website at www.cyrel.dupont.com.

NEWS FROM HARPERSCIENTIFIC

Sprayable Drop Cloth

Platinum XLT Anilox Engraving Technology

HarperScientific^TM Announces the Graphic Arts Industry's First Sprayable Drop Cloth

HarperScientific™, the printing and coating supplies division of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America, announces the advent of Ezze-Peel™, the printing industry’s first peelable protection for any stationary surface in the pressroom, including floors and ink pans. It offers fast cleaning for surfaces that are susceptible to ink splatters and normally difficult to clean.

“This is a product category that has traditionally been used in clean rooms and spray painting booths, but until now, nothing of its kind has been functional for printers,” said Tony Donato, HarperScientific technical sales solutions manager. “We’ve been working with chemists to develop a formulation that can hold up to solvent, as well as water-based and UV printing inks, and take the abuse of the shop floor. Ezze-Peel is the first peelable protection product that holds up in the printing environment.”

Applied to any stationary surface before a press run, Ezze-Peel is a coating that protects the surface, then peels away easily in one or more large pieces at cleanup time. It is disposed of in the same manner as dried ink wastes.

“Aside from the convenience it offers, the cleanup time that Ezze-Peel saves will be a significant consideration. As we all know, less downtime means more press time,” said Jim Harper, vice president of HarperScientific.

Best applied with a spray system, water-based Ezze-Peel sets at room temperature and can be touched up with a paint brush, roller or sponge brush. It even adheres well to itself.

For most applications, Ezze-Peel offers protection once it tacks out in about 20 minutes. In ink pans and on floors, it is recommended that the product is allowed to dry completely over a few hours.

Available exclusively through HarperScientific, Ezze-Peel is available in 1-gal., 5-gal. and 55-gal. containers.

HarperScientific is the manufacturer of CeramClean II™ and CeramClean SOLV-IT™ anilox cleaners, a wide variety of flexographic and gravure hand-proofing systems, and DuroSeal™ chamber blade end seals.

For additional information, contact Tony Donato, HarperScientific technical sales solutions manager at 704-588-3371 ext. 227, or tdonato@HarperImage.com.

Harper Corporation Inaugurates Platinum^® XLT^TM Anilox Engraving Technology Worldwide

Harper Corporation, the global leader in innovative advancements in laser anilox and coating roll technology, is proud to announce that its cutting-edge Platinum® XLT™ (Xtreme Laser Technology) Anilox and Coating Roll System, digital transfer technology, is now in operation at all four of its manufacturing facilities around the globe: Charlotte, N.C.; DePere, Wis.; Herford, Germany; and Bangkok, Thailand.

The new Platinum XLT anilox rolls are now available to customers worldwide, and, the company is issuing a guarantee in writing that customers will be 100% satisfied with the new rolls’ print quality.

“The XLT system is the most important innovation in anilox roll technology in two decades,” said Margaret Harper Kluttz, executive vice president of Harper Corporation.

The new engraving system harnesses the power of digital transfer technology. The result is significantly enhanced consistency on the surface of the roll, producing precisely controlled, transferable and repeatable ink and coating films at the micron level. 

According to Pete Hartman, Harper vice president of sales, “Customers are guaranteed consistency from roll to roll, every time. In practical terms, if a customer has an XLT anilox specified with several – or even hundreds – of jobs, and it gets damaged or worn, we can replace it with guaranteed print color reproduction. This will save many hours in downtime and wasted substrate.”

 “At Harper, we have always stood behind our products with a 100% performance guarantee. With the advent of the new Platinum XLT products, we are inaugurating a written print quality predictability guarantee,” said Ron Harper, company CEO.

Harper has invested US $5.3 million in the development and installation of its exclusive XLT laser technology. In addition, this has paved the way for a new product, known as XVR™, which is indicating strong promise in the marketplace for combination printing.

Once all Harper customers have transferred to XLT technology, both the Echocel™ and the original Platinum® products will be retired.

For more information, contact Pete Hartman at petehartman@harperimage.com or 704-588-3371.