SPG Prints has announced a new larger version of its RotaLen direct laser engraver for imaging nickel screen cylinders. The new 914mm RotaLen is larger than the existing 660mm version and is aimed at mid-web package printing applications including folding cartons. The larger model can also image two reusable RotaPlate screens simultaneously when applied to a drum of 1300mm circumference.
It’s designed for the rotary screen process and takes SPGPrints’ non-woven nickel re-engravable RotaMesh screens and uses a sealed CO2 laser that ablates the printed areas at resolutions of up to 5080dpi in a single step. It’s compatible with the complete rotary screen range, from the fine meshes up to RotaMesh 75 for 250µm-thick Braille dot reproduction.
The rotary screen process can apply ink or varnishes of up to 250µm thickness in one pass, an efficient way of creating high impact embellishments to packaging as an alternative to embossing. These effects include raised, coarse and textured varnishes, rich and opaque colours, metallic finishes and functional tactile features like Braille and warning triangles.
Arno Bouwmeester, managing director of SPGPrints Austria, explained: “The new 914mm width engraver ensures that rotary screen technologies are at the same advanced levels of development as the presses they are used with. In this way, converters are assured of high performance levels throughout the workflow.”
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