Summer 2006                    return to newsletter contents page

FPPA Member News

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DuPont^TM Cyrel^® Provide Plates and Systems for FTA Best of Show Winners

All of the 2006 FTA Excellence in Flexography Best of Show winners from North America took advantage of DuPont™ Cyrel® flexographic printing plates to create the winning entries. Two of the winners used the DuPont™ Cyrel® FAST system.

Introduced and commercialized in 2000, Cyrel® FAST dry platemaking revolutionizes flexography by eliminating chemical solvent or aqueous plate washout steps. At the same time, it reduces total plate production time by 75 percent. Information on DuPont™ Cyrel® plates and systems is available at www.cyrel.dupont.com. 

Dynamic Dies Wins Immediate Productivity and Quality Gains with new Kodak Packaging Solution

Dynamic Dies Incorporated, a maker of steel rule cutting dies and flexo plates for the packaging industry, began running a complete KODAK workflow and flexographic platesetting solution in April. The combination, which consists of a KODAK THERMOFLEX Wide platesetter, KODAK PRINERGY POWERPACK workflow system and a trio of screening software products, is already improving efficiency, quality and turnaround time at the innovative Toledo, Ohio, area company.

“We’re a dynamic and growing business. We’ve invented many technologies for the flexo market and the die cutting process that improve quality and delivery times for our customers. Last year, we decided we needed a workflow and platemaking solution that worked as well,” said Tom Pohlman, Market Development Manager, Dynamic Dies Incorporated. “The KODAK packaging solution includes a state of the art workflow that’s made us more efficient, and Kodak’s screening software offers many solutions we never had before.”

At the center of the new system is a PRINERGY POWERPACK workflow system that provides a job management feature to track jobs from receipt of files through proofing, approval and platemaking. According to Pohlman, the system gives better control and “visibility” of the jobs moving through Dynamic Dies, reducing errors and streamlining operations. Pohlman reports that since implementing PRINERGY POWERPACK software, Dynamic Dies has experienced a remarkable improvement in the turnaround time from raw file to finished plate.

Dynamic Dies is enjoying a high level of quality and throughput with its new THERMOFLEX platesetter. With the wide format capability, the operation can now gang up more jobs, which is improving productivity and reducing waste. Combined with KODAK HYPERFLEX resolution enhancement software, KODAK MAXTONE hybrid screening software and KODAK DIGICAP screening software, the imaging precision of the THERMOFLEX platesetter has resulted in everything Dynamic Dies customers are looking for, according to Pohlman.

Digital platemaking capabilities from .067″ to .250″ thick provide the versatility needed to expand product offerings. With all of the improvements in workflow and quality, Dynamic Dies expects the KODAK packaging solution to generate new revenue. Pohlman says Dynamic Dies is expanding its online service bureau business. The firm will accept files for platemaking at its web based FTP site, opening new opportunities for Dynamic Dies to service web, flexible packaging and commercial print operations.

The improvements at Dynamic Dies started happening quickly.

According to Pohlman, “Installation of the KODAK packaging solution has been quick and smooth, taking less than three weeks from start to finish. Kodak’s been right there with us throughout the start up phase, and we’re confident we’ll get the service and support we need from our Kodak team.”

Dynamic Dies is a privately owned company that is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2006. The company provides customers all over the United States with cutting dies and flexographic plates for all packaging segments.

MacDermid Printing Solutions’ Digital Plate Products Continue to Exceed Expectations

MacDermid Printing Solutions is pleased to announce the success of its recent digital plate product launches.

Digital Rave: A hard uncapped digital plate for exceptional quality graphics, Digital Rave’s low dot gain and extreme durability provide printers a high quality image carrier that outlasts its usefulness. Digital Rave’s ease of handling and improved cover sheet release make it a platemaker’s favorite.

Digital MLT: The latest generation of digital plates using advanced direct-to-plate technology, MacDermid Digital MLT plates can be processed thermally or with solvents. Highly durable and reliable, Digital MLT plates offer longer runs, less dot wear and reduced tack. Digital MLT is capable of imaging 200 line screen; some of the most advanced imaging in the industry.

Digital MUST: A medium durometer uncapped plate, Digital MUST offers near litho quality print production. Durable and long-running, Digital MUST offers printers the benefit of significantly less dot gain correction.

Digital EPIC: The only capped digital plate for high end, full-color process printing, Digital Epic plates provide imaging characteristics that match the quality of offset or gravure printing. It’s micro-rough surface texture with excellent ink transfer make challenging flexo applications a cinch.

MacDermid Printing Solutions also recently rolled out two new thermal plate processing systems. Available in two formats, 2530 and 4260, Digital MLT plates can be processed on a LAVA thermal processor in less than 30 minutes.

In quarters one and two, MacDermid Printing Solutions hosted a round of “LAVA Road Shows” in conjunction with its distributor, Enovation Graphic Systems. LAVA Road Shows were held in Appleton, WI; Hanover Park, IL; Cincinnati, OH and Edison, NJ. Attendees were able to see the LAVA 2530 machine in action as well as hear from industry experts on “The State of the Flexographic Industry”. Those attending the Road Shows in Cincinnati watched as a 200 line-screen piece was printed using MacDermid’s Digital MLT plates.