Tokyo / Brussels, June 29, 2016 – Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, has reported that it has carried out a practical OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) study with the Italian press manufacturer Uteco in Verona.
“Our studies show that printing plates make a significant contribution to overall performance in flexographic printing,” says Andrea Belloli, Italian Branch manager for Asahi Photoproducts. Uteco Group CEO Aldo Peretti adds, “Quality and performance are key customer requirements. These ongoing tests with Asahi are part of our ‘pit-stop project’ designed to find ways to speed up job changeover times. This latest study certainly proves that choosing the right plates can make a huge difference.”
DETAILS OF THE STUDY
During the study, two one-color print runs of approximately 38,000 meters each were undertaken in Uteco’s Printing Technology Center, the Converdrome, in Verona.
One run used standard solvent-washable plates; the other used Asahi’s AWP water-washable plates with Pinning Technology for Clean Transfer.
All other characteristics of the run were the same, including substrate and inks, and used the latest Uteco CI model press, the Onyx XS, running at a 300 meter per minute press speed.
THE RESULTS: Conventional Plates vs. Asahi Plates
Conventional: For the conventional plate, the run length was 37,368 linear meters. It took a total running time of 173 minutes. Total press down time was 47 minutes for plate cleaning. Waste produced was 1,025 meters.
OEE efficiency: 72
Asahi: For the Asahi plates, the run length was 38,000 linear meters. It took a total running time of 140 minutes. Total press down time was 8 minutes for plate cleaning. Waste produced was 450 meters.
OEE efficiency: 91
Asahi Awarded For Excellence In Sustainability & Innovation
“We were very pleased with these results,” Belloli states. “It translates to a 26 OEE improvement with Asahi AWP plates as compared conventional solvent plates and produced 575 linear meters less waste material while at the same time delivering higher overall quality. In a busy flexographic shop, this would translate to the ability to process two more jobs with similar length through the press by using AWP plates, a significant increase in throughput.”
As a result of these tests, Asahi was awarded the prestigious European Flexographic Industry Association (EFIA) Gold Award for Sustainable Manufacturing and Product Innovation.
Asahi AWP Water Wash A Water Washable Flexo Plate Designed For The Next Generation
Asahi AWP is a unique plate making technology and a beneficial alternative to other print processes. The Ink Pinning Technology provides a simple way to improve print quality.
High printing resolution, bright pictures and excellent press performance are a small selection of all the advantages you can get out of Ink Pinning Technology. AWP will help you save time and money, reduce waste and preserve precious energy resources.
The system enables the necessary control to consistently reproduce the finest image quality. Time after time after time.
CONTACT CTGA TODAY
If you’re interested in learning more about CTGA’s line of Asahi Flexo Plate materials, and the AWP Water Wash system, please contact us today and speak with a technical sales representative in your area to find out how we can help you and your business succeed. We look forward to serving you!