A print quality that rivals that of a rotogravure press but with a process that is more productive and less costly to operate. That is what US specialist for film and sheet extrusion units Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering (Gloucester, Massachusetts; www.sms-k.com), promises from its new "Flexoelite" 10-colour flexographic printing press for webs up to 2,000 mm wide and speeds of 600 m/min. The press was developed by the recently acquired company Converting Technology (Bussolengo / Italy).

The special feature of this latest addition to Battenfeld´s machine portfolio is that all the print stations are equipped with electromagnetic linear motors for rapid adjustment and precision positioning. Four motors per station ensure a print accuracy of 0.1 µm, compared with an accuracy of 20-30 µm with conventional presses, says the US company.

The machine is also said to work much more effectively than conventional presses. All the print stations can be put into final register with no more than two revolutions of the central drum, thus minimising set-up time and enabling faster production start-up. The Flexoelite is also claimed to be less maintenance-intensive than conventional units because it uses gearless linear electromagnetic motors in place of rotary ballscrews and geared motors.

Another advantage of the unit, says Battenfeld Gloucester, is that the press is configurable – the drying unit that can be configured to the needs of the customer, and the intake and exhaust fans have variable-speed motors for adjustable airflow on different runs. It also features motorised dampers on air nozzles for individual regulation of airflow and temperature, web temperature-control systems, and UV and EB print systems for customers who prefer working without solvent or water-based inks, or who want to apply additional coatings.