When Flex-Punkt Druckformen GmbH set out to form a supplier partnership with XSYS, it had a clear goal in mind: to provide its customers in the flexo sector with quality, reliability, and innovation. The company, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, sought strategic investments that would deliver state-of-the-art plates and printing sleeves with consistent performance, at a competitive cost level.
“From our very first discussions, it became clear that XSYS not only excels technologically but also aligns closely with our values on collaboration, service, and sustainable development,” explained Vadim Becker, managing director at Flex-Punkt. “Today, XSYS is not just a supplier for us but a true partner at eye level. We greatly appreciate the open exchange, the innovative spirit, and the reliability that characterize this relationship.”
With 55 employees, Flex-Punkt operates out of a 2,120 sqm modern facility in Melle (Lower Saxony), northwest of the famous German flexo hub of Bielefeld. Over the past 16 years, the prepress company has embarked on many special projects with XSYS, as they together strive to push the boundaries of flexo printing. Known as a prepress pioneer, Flex-Punkt has been relentless in its pursuit of innovation, adopting multiple forward-looking solutions from XSYS to further its leading position and expertise.
“Our strategy is based on identifying, testing, and consciously implementing the latest technologies at an early stage. This eagerness to innovate clearly set us apart from our competitors, and it’s a mission we see reflected in XSYS,” stated Becker. “What impresses us most is XSYS’s innovative power. New ideas, technologies, and approaches are not only introduced quickly but are always practical and tailored to our needs.”
Providing a technological edge with ThermoFlexX solutions
In 2022, Flex-Punkt installed a ThermoFlexX 60D laser imager equipped with Woodpecker Nano technology and a Catena-E LED exposure frame from XSYS to introduce more speed, consistency and sustainability in production. “The market today requires increasingly faster turnaround times without compromising on quality, and expectations for our service are accordingly high,” said Vadim Becker. “Our customers directly benefit from the technological edge that our XSYS equipment provides. They know they can rely on reproducible results and maximum efficiency, while maintaining their sustainability standards.”
With high levels of automation built in, the ThermoFlexX 60D laser imager handles work seamlessly, eliminating human errors and reducing waste. In addition, the system’s efficiency allows Flex-Punkt to process different screen rulings in one pass, which Vadim Becker describes as “a clear advantage.” He also highlighted the vacuum slider which has proven to be extremely reliable.
Further promoting sustainability, remote support features allow Flex-Punkt to address troubleshooting efficiently and keep downtime to a minimum. This also helps to reduce the need for on-site engineer visits, which in turn lessens the overall carbon footprint. According to Becker: “The remote service works flawlessly. We have used it twice so far, and in both instances, the support was prompt and effective. This provides us with additional security during ongoing operations.”
Additionally, the ThermoFlexX Catena-E LED exposure frame offers increased productivity and excellent performance, thanks to its powerful LEDs and full coverage back exposure. With low waste and an enclosed exposure environment, it ensures eco-friendly operation and improved safety standards for the operators at Flex-Punkt.
Leveraging nyloflex plate technologies with added value
To optimize the capabilities of the new XSYS equipment, Flex-Punkt has transitioned to nyloflex FTV plates for high-end flexible packaging. Suitable for both UV bank and UV LED exposure, this versatile plate technology has proved the natural progression from nyloflex NEF. It offers exceptional and consistent print quality, with finest highlight dots, on film substrates with solvent inks. Becker explained, “nyloflex FTV is an innovative, next-generation plate that enables significantly better quality and optimized structures. A key benefit for us is its excellent suitability for printing with PU inks where we achieve cleaner results than with the closest competitor plate.”
Furthermore, nyloflex plates unlock the full potential of ThermoFlexX Woodpecker surface screening patterns, including Sharp, Nano and Nevis. These screening technologies have been hugely beneficial for Flex-Punkt, answering the demand for exceptional quality required by its brand owner customers, at a lower cost level than competing solutions. According to Becker, “The market itself asked whether there was a plate solution with micro surface screening that could match the quality but was more cost-effective. We found that nyloflex NEF and FTV with Woodpecker patterns provided the answer.”
Covering all prepress stages with XSYS innovation
One final important aspect for Flex-Punkt is that XSYS holds a unique position as a global supplier offering solutions across all stages of the prepress process. As such, the company can rest safe in the knowledge that it can serve all customer needs with top-of-the range solutions.
“XSYS offers a comprehensive portfolio that covers a wide range of printing needs, enabling our customers to streamline their processes efficiently. Our experience shows that whenever they have a free choice, they choose XSYS products – a testament to their quality and innovation, as well as our service and expertise,” concluded Becker.
Headquartered in Willstaett, Germany, XSYS operates globally and remains one of the largest suppliers offering both flexographic and letterpress prepress solutions, including plates, sleeves, processors, workflow solutions, and expert professional services, designed to help these industries move forward with increasing innovation, improved productivity and profitability, and a reduced environmental footprint.
