Label press maker targets carton market with new press

The narrow-web press company has great hopes the newly released KM 510 S platform will change the way the folding carton industry operates in the region. According to James Rodden, managing director Gallus Australia, the advantages of flexo over offset make a compelling business case. While acknowledging the difficulties printers may experience learning new flexo techniques, the lower capital cost and much quicker changeover times between jobs – down to 20 minutes – are reasons enough to consider making the switch.

The press, which was launched at a seminar in Frankfurt last month, will be made available to the local industry at drupa next year. According to Rodden, a number of local carton converters are heading over to the show. “I want them to be aware of the Gallus KM 510 S when they arrive,” he said. “It will be their first opportunity to really see the press in operation.”

The company is promoting the press platform as having five key advantages; process flexibility; modularity that allows for growth; integrated servo drive for controllability; sleeve technology for plate cylinder and anilox rolls for superior handling; and a sliding master control panel for good operator ergonomics.

Launched initially with a mechanical line shaft drive, the newly introduced 'S' series is 30 per cent faster and 30 per cent more substrate efficient. Typical applications are markets that meet the parameters of small format dimensions, added value, and run lengths up to one million blanks - which include pharmaceutical, beauty and healthcare, security, blister cards and sports items (golf ball packs). With the advantages of a small footprint, process flexibility, reduced waste, lower manning levels, lower investment outlay, cheaper substrate on the reel and improved efficiency, Gallus sees it's KM 510S line as a complementary technology rather than a replacement for traditional sheet fed offset carton printing with offline converting.