Digital Embellishment Unit initially available for Gallus Labelfire, Gallus ECS 340 and Gallus Labelmaster machine platforms.
Gallus is unveiling the prototype of its new digital finishing technology at Labelexpo Europe 2017. This innovation is a joint development by three Swiss companies – Steinemann Technology AG and Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG, both from St. Gallen, and Schmid Rhyner AG from Adliswil. Using inkjet technology, this newly created Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU) is able to carry out inline coating digitally and apply matt, gloss and tactile spot coating effects to the substrate web in various thicknesses.
Three well-known Swiss companies that enjoy global success in their sectors in the graphic arts industry have come together to extend the dmax technology developed by Steinemann AG to narrow-web label and packaging printing. This embellishment unit is integrated in line with the modular principle of combination printing and is fitted into the Gallus Labelfire digital press system after the 8-colour UV inkjet unit in the same way as an additional printing unit. This system is thus an additional inline application, making the Gallus Labelfire one of the industry’s most flexible digital presses.
This Digital Embellishment Unit can produce gloss and matt spot coatings and tactile relief effects in a single pass, all using atmospheric UV inkjet coatings. It supports coating volumes up to 100 gsm with a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi (native/physical).
This development was only possible thanks to Swiss innovation and the know-how of the three packaging and finishing specialists Steinemann, Schmid Rhyner and Gallus. Steinemann contributed the basic technology for the Digital Embellishment Unit, based on its proven dmax technology. Schmid Rhyner, having several patents in the field of digital coating using InkJet, developed the UV inkjet effect varnish, matching to the dmax technology. Together with Steinemann, this technology was brought to market maturity. Gallus contributed the “translation” of customer requirements in label printing, the combination printing know-how and the integration for Gallus presses. The DEU will initially be available for the Gallus Labelfire, Gallus ECS 340 and Gallus Labelmaster machine platforms.
When using this DEU, customers benefit from shorter setup times and minimised cleaning when compared with conventional solutions. And thanks to the digital technology, there are no additional costs for tools or for tool production and management. As various matt, gloss and tactile effects can be applied in a single pass, this unit replaces up to three conventional printing stations, thus tripling the benefits. The resulting shortened web path also leads to further cuts in waste.