Stovec Industries, a subsidiary of SPG Prints Netherlands, is focussing on the Indian packaging market with its Direct Laser Engraver or DLE systems and flexo CtPs. Mohanish Satam assistant sales manager (graphics) of SPG Prints says, “DLE is a market changing product which we are offering to the Indian packaging industry. This kind of a product can be used for different printing processes by our customers such as dry offset, CI flexo, letterpress and rotary screen printing applications.”
Direct laser engraving is a process whereby the surface of the sleeve is modelled by means of ablation (melting) using a high-energy CO2 laser beam to create a raised image and undercut for rubber sleeve . This process requires a high-powered laser because – in contrast to the very thin layer on a application form which is only a few microns thick – it is necessary to remove material to a depth of several tenths of a millimetre.
SPG Prints is targeting the flexible packaging and foil converters with its anilox rollers. The company has been involved in the manufacturing of mechanically engraved anilox rollers for the last 30 years. These mechanically engraved rollers are capable of working in the coating transfer range of 1.5 gsm to 15 gsm. Shashank Patel, sales manager, SPG Prints, said, “For coating applications, the mechanically engraved anilox rollers are preferred over chemically etched rollers and imported ceramic rollers.” It also produces rotary screens for the label industry which is a patented product.
Day by day the end applications are increasing and it is a very exciting time for us in the Indian market says Satam. “So far, we have grown by about 15% every year in the consumables segment. But, as we are starting to look at capital products now, we hope to do well in this segment and aim to grow by at least two to three units by the end of the year.”
