At the 11th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Business Summit 2024, organized by ElitePlus, Lorenzo Sambri, area sales manager for Bieffebi, discussed the company’s latest innovation in plate mounting technology, the Automa 374 automatic flexo plate mounter.
“Designed specifically for the flexible packaging market, the Automa 374 is a significant step forward, bringing unparalleled precision and automation to the mounting process,” Sambri told Packaging South Asia.
According to Sambri, the Automa 374 can mount plates at both the head and tail with a tolerance level of ±20 microns across eight colors. This level of precision is achieved through a vision system capable of three-micron resolution, paired with a robotic table that automatically aligns the plate based on camera-detected reference points, maintaining a ±3 micron tolerance at each mounting position, he said. According to Sambri, while the new model is faster than previous versions, the primary advantage lies in its flawless alignment rather than speed alone.
Innovation in corrugated plate mounting
In addition to the Automa 374, Bieffebi introduced a new plate mounter designed for the corrugated market. This flat mounting unit utilizes the company’s patented VDP (variable data printing) system, allowing for fully automated mounting of multiple plates on a single unit. As Sambri explained, the system operates by simply importing a digital file containing all necessary coordinates. This eliminates the need for manual calculations of distortion and alignment, enabling faster, error-free setup. By automatically retrieving the job coordinates from the file, the VDP system significantly simplifies the process, making it both efficient and precise.
Potential impact in the Indian market
On the prospects for these technologies in India, Sambri highlighted the country’s potential for increased automation, particularly in flexible packaging and corrugated printing. Automation, he said, will allow manufacturers to achieve the consistency and quality required to stand out in a competitive market. Accurate and standardized mounting can help Indian companies deliver high-definition, consistent printing results—a critical factor in maintaining a strong reputation in the global market.
Sambri spoke about the growing interest in corrugated packaging in India, anticipating significant demand over the next few years. While currently a smaller market, he expects the corrugated sector to expand as local industries begin to adopt advanced packaging solutions. With the introduction of Bieffebi‘s automated systems, companies in India can start preparing for this shift, establishing a solid foundation for future growth, he said.
