At the recently concluded Xeikon Cafe in Lier, Belgium, Flint Group introduced its new thermal plate processing technology—the nyloflex Xpress—for flexographic printing plates. The new system is presently available in North America, and will be offered globally in the second half of 2017. “The biggest advantage for customers will be less downtime and lower operating and maintenance costs as nyloflex allows for fewer components and intelligent configuration. The smart design of the nyloflex Xpress reduces maintenance and downtime,” said Eva Freudenthaler, vice president – technology, Flint Group Flexographic Products.
The IR pre-heating system in the nyloflex allows for precise control of heat distribution and zoned pre-heating allows for maximum energy efficiency at any width. The sliding rail design of the system makes lamps simple to exchange. “All areas of the machine are easily accessible for service and maintenance. We have used clever, user-friendly features for an enhanced user experience,” said Freudenthaler.
The core of the nyloflex Xpress Thermal Processor are the nyloflex Thermal Printing Plates, which are specifically formulated to deliver excellent output and improved productivity. Thermal Printing Plates are capable of printing fine dots which are 50% smaller in size than other standard plates in the market. According to Freudenthaler, the thermal plates are suitable for use with virtually any ink system—solvent based, water based, or UV.
Further benefits can be realized in the engineered fabric of the nyloflex Developer Rolls, designed to be highly efficient and environmentally friendly. A unique fiber shape provides optimal surface area to retain molten polymer, resulting in a material that is 30% less dense, requires 33% less material to manufacture and produces 33% less waste after use in plate processing than standard developer rolls. nyloflex Developer Rolls are offered in three widths to maximize the efficiency of use with various plate sizes. The special fabric design and variable width options result in a material that is noticeably lighter and easier for operators to handle.
