NDigitec is a family run business that was founded in the United Arab Emirates in 2005. It employs some 125 staff and offers a complete package of services – from file reparation to final processed flexo printing plate alongside digital printing solutions, e-commerce, creative media production, and fabrication of exhibition equipment.
Shahe Kavlakian, executive manager for prepress at NDigitec, commented, “We were the first prepress company in the region to bring in LED exposure technology for making flexo plates with the Flint Group Nyloflex NExT system back in 2016.” He added, “Now we are once again taking the lead as the first to install the Xsys ThermoFlexX Catena-E system; an investment we have made because we believe that this solution will best support us in responding to the many varied customer demands we are currently facing and to allow us to continue our global expansion.”
The ThermoFlexX Catena-E 80 takes plates up to 1270 x 2032mm and up to 7mm thick. It uses high power UVA LED modules to expose the plates and reduce the risk of oxygen interfering in the process in order to produce flat tops to the dots and for creating high resolution surface micro structures such as Xsys’ Woodpecker Nano.
It can be combined with a ThermoFlexX imager and Catena washer, dryer, and light finisher units for a full end-to-end plate production line. NDigitec has not gone this far though is said to be considering this for the future. However, the priority appears to be upgrading the company’s exposure hardware across its other sites.
Kavlakian explained, “We are looking for standardization, durability, efficiency, and stability in plate production; these aspects are key to maintaining productivity and quality. Particularly in flexible packaging, consistent solid ink density with perfect highlights is a challenge, but with the Catena system and our own micro surface screening, we can deliver results that are much better than with other LED solutions.”
Kavlakian noted that the Catena was in full production within a week of being installed, adding, “The Catena is very easy to operate with straightforward instructions and options, so training was pretty quick. It also comes with remote capabilities which means that calibration and regular maintenance checks can be done without having anyone coming on-site. This is of course a fantastic feature as we can avoid unwanted downtime because we don’t have to wait for an engineer to attend in person.”
Kavlakian also pointed out that the Catena had led to a reduction in waste compared to the existing system, saying, “The Catena-E is definitely helping to improve the sustainability of our plate-making operation because we can combine different jobs on the same plate. By our latest estimations, plate waste has gone down from around 26% to 16%, and we know that with the latest LEDs in the machine, energy consumption will also be less. So, from an environmental point of view, as well as in terms of costs, this is a great improvement.”
NDigitec has major plans to take more of the global market share. To further this goal, it opened a new state-of-the-art 50,000 sqm factory in Dubai Production City in 2020. Another 3,000 sqm facility operates as an incubator for joint venture projects aimed at advancing innovation in flexo print production, complemented by more investment in best-in-class imaging, processing, and screening technologies.
You can find further details on this company from ndigitec.com and on the Catena unit from xsysglobal.com.
Reprinted by permission from www.nessancleary.co.uk
