Northeim/Kiel, February 2012ContiTech joining
forces with HELL in developing cogent flexographic printing
upgrade • Competitive alternative to current manufacturing
processes
ContiTech Elastomer Coatings and HELL Gravure Systems, two
strong companies in the printing industry, plan to
cooperate in the areas of development and application
engineering. The cooperation aims to further boost the
advantages of direct-engravable flexographic printing
plates and establish a sustained foothold in the growing
flexographic printing market. In the past months, these
printing plates have enabled ContiTech to successfully
expand its business overall in the graphics industry. In
doing so, the company was able to draw on its wide-ranging
experience with elastomer materials.
Forging plans for collaboration in the area of
flexographic printing: Dr. Thomas Perkovic, head of the
printing blanket segment at ContiTech Elastomer Coatings
(left), and Dr. Jörg Pohé, general manager of HELL
Gravure Systems.
Photo: ContiTech
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(JPG, RGB, 300dpi, app. 20x15cm, 1.6MB)
"The flexographic printing market has responded very
enthusiastically to our products. We intend to cash in on
the response so as to make inroads into this segment," says
Dr. Thomas Perkovic, head of the printing blanket segment
at ContiTech Elastomer Coatings. "Technical solutions
emerge when systems and material manufacturers join forces.
Despite our respective experience, these solutions are not
open to either of us when going it alone."
Conti®Laserline flexographic printing plates
are a perfect match for HELL's laser engraving
systems.
Photo: ContiTech
Image Download
(JPG, RGB, 300dpi, app. 20x15cm, 1.7MB)
HELL's areas of competence are in systems solutions for
printing plate production. In the matter of just a decade,
HELL made a name for itself in the flexographic market as a
technological trendsetter in the direct engraving of
elastomer printing plates. Its PremiumFlexo products for
laser direct engraving and PremiumLine range for the
automatic production line exemplify this.
The goal in harnessing together the know-how of the two
companies is to further actively expand the strengths of
this forward-looking technology and offer the flexographic
market competitive alternatives to today's manufacturing
processes. "Harmonizing material and machine further raises
the level of economic efficiency and quality," declares Dr.
Jörg Pohé, general manager of HELL Gravure Systems.
The cooperation can already point to tangible successes.
"In terms of material composition and reduced plate
wear, the newly developed Conti®Laserline
CSX/CSC printing plates are perfectly geared to high
resolution direct engraving technology," notes Armin
Senne, flexographic printing business manager at ContiTech
Elastomer Coatings. Optimized for the respective
requirements of laser direct engraving, the printing plates
are supplied in rolls with widths of up to 2100 mm, lengths
up to 30 m and a range of thicknesses.
