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Wet on Wet

Published: October 01, 2007, By By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
Uniprint Knauer (formerly UV-Flex) recently installed a Fischer & Krecke WetFlex ten-color Flexpress 16 S press. It features Sun Chemical’s WetFlex technology, Energy Sciences’ EZCure-I electron beam (EB) curing system, and Advanced Vision Technology’s PrintVision/Argus defect detection system. The flexographic printing process applies Sun Chemical’s UniQure inks wet-on-wet to the substrate; the inks are in-line EB cured, thereby reducing energy costs and improving quality.

Reduce & Comply

Published: September 01, 2007, By By Sheila A. Millar and J. C. Walker, Keller and Heckman LLP
Going green? Be prepared to face the challenges of today’s complex environmental compliance regulations.

JDSU Introduces Color-Shifting Flake for Unique Color Differentiation

Published: August 30, 2007, By pffc-online.com
JDSU has introduced ChromaFlair ColorShift Glitter, a new color-shifting flake that gives paints, coatings, plastics, textiles, and packaging the ability to exhibit a wide range of hues when viewed from different angles.

Operators' Opinions Matter

Published: August 01, 2007, By David Argent, Contributing Editor
Why consult operators? The best way to make improvements is to involve those actually performing the work.

Working Undercover

Published: July 01, 2007, By By Corey M. Reardon AWA Alexander Watson Assoc.
Brand security and authentication are integral features of product design in today’s global economy. Converters have a role to play.

Flexo Press for EB WetFlex Launched in Germany

Published: June 19, 2007, By pffc-online.com
UV-Flex GmbH held an open house event on April 18-19 to feature Fischer & Krecke's first CI flexo press designed to use Sun Chemical's EB curable WetFlex ink technology.

Color 101: Part I

Published: January 01, 2007, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
It has been my experience that color theory basics are communicated well by suppliers of color measurement devices. This month we will explore the practical application of this information.

Ink Mileage: Measure & Manage

Published: December 01, 2006, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
In we reviewed ink transfer. With this basic understanding, we can move on to actual numbers on the basis of that which can be measured can be managed. Skeptics abound who believe there are too many variables to get useful data. Others think this is an opportunity to isolate and minimize process variation and thus improve productivity and reduce waste.

Managing the Ink Films

Published: November 01, 2006, By David Argent, Contributing Editor
Last month we discussed ink composition in relation to various printing methods. Now we’ll look at basic differences in ink delivery.

Ink 101: Part II

Published: October 01, 2006, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
Last month we reviewed ink usage numbers as an input to converting, noting that as a percentage, ink purchases are small, especially when compared to

Ink 101: Part I

Published: September 01, 2006, By By David Argent Contributing Editor
It is estimated the total North American (US and Canada) market for packaging materials is approximately $125 billion in annual shipments. Ink is a relatively

Are Universal Products Possible?

Published: August 01, 2006, By By David J. Bentley Jr. Contributing Editor
The question seems like a good one when we first hear it. Why is there not a universal adhesive, coating, or ink? Such a material certainly would make

Inks Keep Getting Smarter

Published: June 30, 2006, By Stanley Sacharow, The Packaging Group

Sun Chemical Introduces Flexible Packaging Printing Process

Published: June 15, 2006, By pffc-online.com

The Future of Printed Electronics

Published: May 09, 2006, By pffc-online.com
At Printed Electronics Europe 2006, it was revealed that inorganic electronic inks and materials are becoming more important.

Flnt ink and XSYS Announce New Name

Published: January 18, 2006, By pffc-online.com
Flint Group is the new name for the holding company created by the merger of XSYS Print Solutions, Luxembourg, and Flint Ink Corp., which took place in late 2005.

MetalFX Wins Award

Published: December 15, 2005, By pffc-online.com
MetalFX has been named the New Product of the Year by the United Kingdom's Growing Business Awards.

INX Offers MetalFX Inks

Published: July 12, 2005, By pffc-online.com
INX Intl. has signed up as an official MetalFX ink maker. The company now offers inks compatible with the MetalFX process.

COF in Printed Packaging

Published: June 30, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Automatic packaging operations require a specific range of lubricity to process packaging products. Printing inks contribute to the package lubricity and affect both the static as well as kinetic coefficient of friction (COF).

Odor & Exempt Solvents

Published: May 31, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Requirements for low odor in flexible packaging change as new materials are introduced in printing and laminating operations. Retained solvent is the primary odor concern of the printer and converter, and tight odor standards are maintained for printed and laminated structures.

A Look at Laminating Inks

Published: April 30, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Packaging inks come in all shapes and sizes and usually must meet unique performance requirements.

Which Ink for Which Substrate?

Published: March 31, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Every new ink project begins with an analysis of the substrate to be printed. In just minutes, the complexity of the project can be estimated from the surface tension characteristics of the substrate.

UV/EB a Bright Spot in Economy

Published: February 28, 2005, By Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
Recent shortages of acrylic acid exemplify the problem of raw material supply and its impact on the price stability. Last year has seen various price increases in raw materials, and this trend is continuing into this year. As a result, it is anticipated raw material price fluctuations will negatively impact UV/EB products.

Evolving Ink Jet Technology

Published: January 31, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
T he concept of forming droplets of liquid in a stream was studied by Lord Kelvin and Lord Rayleigh and other technologists as early as the late 1800s. However, it was not until 1951 that it was patented for the first practical ink jet device based on Rayleigh’s concept.

Water-Based Printing Inks & pH

Published: December 31, 2004, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
In a water-based ink, many of the ink components contribute to the ink pH. For example, the common acrylic resins used in water-based inks are acidic. They are not soluble in water but are soluble when alkaline materials are added.

Inks, Coatings, Compliance

Published: September 30, 2004, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Packaging engineers are designing new products to meet the growing demand for food packaging items that can be prepared quickly and conveniently by the

New Inks Have a High IQ

Published: August 31, 2004, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Well, we've heard a lot about smart packaging, so it was inevitable such packaging would require intelligent inks. With current packaging development

The Latitudes of LEAN

Published: June 30, 2004, By Teresa Koltzenburg, Senior Editor
Value-stream mapping is among the many lean-oriented actions your operation can take. But how do you navigate the swelling "lean" lexicon that's appearing on the converting industry horizon?

Unique Issues of Laminating Inks

Published: April 30, 2004, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
One of the major advances in flexible packaging was the introduction of film laminated structures. Film lamination allowed different properties to be

Getting Better with Time

Published: April 30, 2004, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
It wasn't too long ago water-based inks were thought of more as a solution to protecting the environment than a choice for high quality printing. But

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