Labelexpo Americas returns for 2018, taking place from 25-27 September at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois. Spread across five exhibition halls, over 400 exhibitors are taking part. Michal Lodej reports.

As Labelexpo Americas prepares for its 16th show, organisers will provide new features, and bring back some old ones, for visitors making the trip to Chicago this year.

Running alongside the exhibition and making its debut at Labelexpo Americas 2018 is the Automation Arena which will showcase two automated press lines for conventional (shrink sleeve) and digital (label) production, covering job creation right through to pre-press, printing, finishing and customer invoicing.

Also new for this year’s show – and a first for the Labelexpo Global Series – is Labelexpo Connections, an attendee/exhibitor 1:1 appointment programme, which aims to fast-track connections to new business in the label and package printing industry through opt-in meetings. Registered show attendees undergo a matching process with exhibiting companies, which then leads to a series of 1:1 business meetings at Labelexpo Americas 2018. This will enable attendees to really make the most of their time at the show by connecting with the people they want to meet to enhance their business.

Tasha Ventimiglia, Labelexpo Americas event director, commented, ‘Labelexpo Americas is all about the experience, and we wanted to build on that by launching several new features at this year’s show, to ensure that it remains fresh and relevant as the industry evolves. Firstly, we know that a driving factor for people choosing to visit the show is the opportunity to network and make new business connections, so we want to help them make the most of this opportunity and plan their time efficiently through the Labelexpo Connections personalised 1:1 appointment programme.

‘Secondly, the Automation Arena is something we introduced at Labelexpo Europe last year and it proved such a popular experience that we are bringing it to Labelexpo Americas for the very first time. It’s an opportunity for attendees to view the future of the industry by experiencing a fully automated workflow process, enabling them to keep one step ahead of competitors.’

Back to village life

Another key feature of Labelexpo Americas 2018 will be the return of the TLMI Ecovillage, designed to raise awareness of environmental issues in the sector, for the first time since 2012. This area of the show will be displaying the latest products tackling this important issue. To further highlight this, the waste matrix collected from the live press demonstrations over the course of the show will be brought to the TLMI Ecovillage and baled. The material will then be sent to Convergen Energy who will make the waste into fuel pellets, which have a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels.

TLMI Ecovillage will have a speaker each day to cover topics such as the new plastics economy and how it relates to labels; a global brand talking about how a label’s impact on package recyclability plays into product stewardship; and sustainable materials management – going beyond managing waste to what is upstream of production.

Rosalyn Bandy, TLMI’s environmental director, said, ‘The 2018 Ecovillage is part of TLMI’s ongoing commitment to inspire and engage the industry around topics of sustainability. We designed it to be educational and showcase platform. Our goal is to help label suppliers and converters to be inspired by sustainability experts who are breaking new ground in making labels a key component of reduced-impact products.’

Ms Ventimiglia added, ‘We are delighted to be partnering with TLMI for the TLMI Ecovillage area of the show, designed to raise awareness of sustainability, which is becoming such an important issue in the package printing sector. We are very much looking forward to introducing visitors to all of our new show features and giving them the best experience possible.’

The details of Labelexpo Americas 2018 conference and learning programme have also been revealed. The two-day programme comprises 12 themed conference sessions taking place on 25 and 26 September. A further three Label Academy led master classes also take place over the second and third days of the show.

Day one of the conference is designed to tackle the commercial side of the labels and package printing industry, examining key issues of relevance, including workforce development and recruitment, mergers and acquisitions, the rise of printing on demand, and implementing innovative logistics labelling. Confirmed panelists are John McDowell, president of McDowell Label; Sandy Petersen, co-founder and owner of Digital Label Solutions; Bill Muir, president of Grand Rapids Label Company; and Micheal Lane, CEO of The Meyers Printing Companies.

Day two is designed around creativity, branding and innovation. Topics include unlocking flexible packaging opportunities for label converters, elevating your customers’ brands with smart and connected products, preventing counterfeiting, and creating products with stand-out presence. Session highlights include the opening package printing panel discussion on understanding the market, identifying the opportunities and creating value and connecting the entire supply chain.

Three in-depth master classes will also take place on 26 and 27 September. These cover MIS and workflow automation; shrink sleeve technology; and inks, coatings and varnishes.

 

On show

Asahi Photoproducts (6479) will be showing its AWP water-washable flexographic plate solutions featuring Clean Transfer Technology, including its new AWP-DEW plate with washout speeds 2.5 times faster than previous plates.

Bobst (5403) will run demonstrations on two production lines: the M6 Digital Flexo production line and the M1 in-line flexo press in its latest configuration. The M6 will highlight the advantages of its Digital Flexo and Digital Automation workflow technology, including Revo seven-colour extended gamut printing. The modular nature of the press means it can be configured for production of labels, flexible packaging and cartons. The latest M1 IoT version is the first mechanical shaft connected label press in the industry and brings converters the benefits offered by connectivity.

BST North America (837) will show its range of quality assurance products for label printing and the narrow web market. Inspection, web monitoring and web guiding will be the main topics at the company’s stand which it is sharing with its subsidiary AccuWeb.

Dantex Corporation (335) is sharing a stand with Graphic Republik. On the stand will be a PicoColour inkjet press, a versatile and small printing system with widths of 210mm at 25m/min. Graphic Republik will be giving demonstrations of Star Plate to show how it can bring time and cost savings. Star Plate is a digital imaging solution designed for direct inkjet imaging to film with the ability to produce high quality screening.

Delta ModTech (3523) will feature its Spectrum finisher with the INTELLI-MOD control system. The INTELLI-MOD control system gives you complete control over each module and allows perfection of each segment of the converting process. With its proprietary HMI software and the use of individual servo motors, each die station and winding station can be adjusted independently, on the fly. This control system gives users the ability to make precise cuts even when the incoming eye-marks are inconsistent and create tension zones with the press of a button.

Esko (5202) will demonstrate how its integrated and automated solutions, such as colour specification, 3D pack shots and design reviews, can link brand owners, designers, pre-media and the press room into a highly productive and efficient workflow. The result is what he company is calling ‘Packaging Connected’ which it said drives faster throughput with higher quality.

Eaglewood Technologies (936) will be showing its Sitexco Systems anilox roller cleaning solutions.

EyeC (360) will display fast and precise print sample testing on an EyeC Proofiler 600 DT. This system’s latest software version can now combine print inspection and dimensional measurement capabilities. Customers in the pharmaceutical sector can take advantage of the company’s new pharma workflow offering improved data integrity, data security, and an easier audit trail review.

At its stand Flint Group (728) will be showing products from across the group’s different sectors. A complete product portfolio of nyloflex printing plates, plate processing equipment and rotec sleeves and adapters for narrow web printing will be on display. There will be the addition of the nyloflex XVH Digital plate to the thermally processed plate family as a new, versatile, hard durometer plate with an inherently flat top surface.

Narrow web inks and coatings will be focused on helping customers expand their capabilities, with products and services to increase converter productivity and efficiency, and provide the lowest applied cost per label. Included at the show will be recent innovations in LED curable inks.

Xeikon will be showing the PX3000, the first UV inkjet press based on its Panther technology launched in 2017. Its primary focus is self-adhesive labels for health and beauty, premium beer, durable and industrial chemical or household applications. Xeikon will also feature its toner-based 3030 digital press with a custom finishing line specifically developed for the North American market.

Flexo Wash (511) will introduce its latest anilox cleaning technology, and will show how up to nine anilox rollers can be cleaned at the same time, offering high efficiency inking for top quality print results. In addition to anilox cleaning developments, the company will display updates to its TopLoad and ECO Parts Washers, and narrow web plate washing systems.

Gallus and Heidelberg (6150) will be jointly exhibiting to unveil the Smartfire digital label printing system to the North American market, and Heidelberg’s 4D Omnifire 250 inkjet digital printer will also be available for demonstrations.

GEW (3500) will show its range of UV curing systems comprising of mercury arc, LED and hybrid systems. Alongside these will be the fully hybrid Rhino ArcLED electronic power supply.

GSE (558) will demonstrate its Ink manager, a comprehensive software package with enhanced ink management capabilities. There will also be information about the company’s Colorsat dispensing systems for flexo, gravure and screen inks, covering all label and packaging applications. The software enables label and packaging converters to minimise ink-related waste, providing improved ink yields, enhanced reporting and business planning, reduced setup times and traceability.

JM Heaford (3712) is bringing its Label AutoMounter to the show, which it says ensures consistent first-time accuracy by removing operator judgement from the mounting process, and reduces press downtime. The unit is configurable for multiple presses and with options including pre-register compatibility, plate and tape cutters and a sleeve exchange unit. The company will also show its FTS, which offers the best value alternative to automation through ease-of-use, repeatable accuracy and speed, as well as the entry-level EES plate mounter.

Kodak (3011) is celebrating 10 years of its Flexcel NX System and will be giving demonstrations of its latest Flexcel NX technology. The company also says it will also use the show to unveil a major new product announcement.

Experts from Label Traxx (5920) will be answering questions about automated workflows, online ordering with Siteline and monitoring performance using Business Metrixx.

Maan Engineering (1804) will introduce its Hybrid Laminating Coating Line using VR goggles to give visitors a virtual reality experience. The hybrid technology offers label producers new possibilities by using different coating and converting techniques in a single line. Because the adhesive and silicone are applied simultaneously, it is possible to make special distinctive laminates. In addition, the technology brings the relatively small linerless market within reach of every label producer.

MacDermid Graphic Solutions (528) will focus on the expansion of its flat-top dot portfolio and thermal platemaking equipment. ‘Labelexpo Americas allows us a great opportunity to strengthen our relationships with our customers and distributors throughout the Americas,’ stated Patrick Mullaney, vice president – Americas. ‘We are excited to showcase unique partnerships linked to our product portfolio that we believe will have a positive impact on the flexographic label industry for years to come.’

Mark Andy Print Products and DuPont Advanced Printing (749) will be exhibiting together at Labelexpo Americas 2018. Attendees will see advanced platemaking and processing equipment, plate mounting as well as have the opportunity to talk with technical experts and learn about the product offerings for flexo, digital hybrid, and offset printing equipment.

Technology on-stand will include Mark Andy VPM400 Video Plate Mounter, DuPont Cyrel FAST 2000 TD thermal processor, and Esko’s CDI Crystal 4835 XPS system.

The VPM400 is a standalone unit with adjustable table, plate cylinder mounting rails and laser pointers. The plate mounter provides fast and accurate plate mounting to complement your workflow. DuPont will also show the Cyrel FAST 2000 TD, a thermal solvent-free flexographic plate processor.

Martin Automatic (811) will launch a new version of its MBS splicer at the Chicago trade fair. The new space saving non-stop roll changer has a small inline footprint, made possible by its integrated 90-degree turnbar. This makes it a perfect splicer for label printers with limited floorspace. The company will run an LRD automatic transfer rewinder in conjunction with the splicer to demonstrate continuous operation.

miip (2013), a Canadian manufacturer of web inspection tools for printers and converters, will introduce its latest mini web viewer camera. Most flexo printers use a web viewer however when a camera stops working repair times can be long and require multiple visits by technicians to fix.

Meech Static Eliminators (551) will be displaying its new Hyperion SmartControl at Labelexpo Americas. Also present will be the company’s Hyperion 233v4 Pulsed DC Controller, its Hyperion range of anti-static bars (971IPS-15, 971IPS-30, 929IPS, 924IPS), the Hyperion BarMaster programmer, the CyCleanTM non-contact web cleaning system, and IML generation equipment.

MPS Systems (911) will be demonstrating two future-ready presses for the narrow web industry: a fully-automated EF flexo press in the North American debut of the Automation Arena, and the EF SYMJET digital/flexo hybrid solution. In the Automation Arena, MPS will demonstrate the EF-APC advanced machine with 100% print automation, for both sleeves as well as anilox positioning. A valuable feature of this automated flexo solution is the MPS ‘talk to me’ connectivity technology, for Industry 4.0 implementation.

Nilpeter (3205) will showcase The All New FA and the Panorama Hybrid press. The FA provides a maximum level of stability, the tightest register tolerance, and excellent printing results on multiple substrates. Nilpeter’s digital product line, Panorama, covers a wide and varied spectrum of customer requirements – from stand-alone to all-round, and value-added hybrid configurations. The Panorama Hybrid on display will feature an advanced digital inkjet print engine, UV-lamination, and a semi-rotary die station.

Unveiled last February, Omet (3123) will be showing the XJet powered by Durst. This press is a hybrid machine that integrates the Durst Tau RSC digital inkjet group with the Omet X6’s flexo printing, finishing and converting units, providing flexibility and a wide range of applications. The company will also show the iFlex which features a range of smart solutions, designed specifically to make the entire printing process even easier and more intuitive.

PCMC (1343) will show its Meridian laser anilox cleaner. The Meridian removes inks, adhesives, glazes, stiffeners, coatings, and varnishes from ceramic and chrome surfaces. Using auto-focus technology, it optimises the laser’s energy to pulverise any residue deposited on the engraved surface. It requires almost no maintenance and virtually no spare parts. It requires no chemicals, no cleaning media, no air supply, no water supply, no personal protective equipment, and no other supplies.

Phoseon Technology (940) is showing the Phoseon FireJet FJ605 as one of the latest extensions of the company’s FireJet air-cooled product range which combines its WhisperCure and TargetCure technologies. The FireJet FJ605 provides simple integration with advanced control features, plus high-power output for press speeds up to 1000ft/min. FJ605 is a low-maintenance system with simple air filter replacements.

Prototype & Production Systems (6445) will highlight new applications of its DICE technology. The DICE 1200 is a new high resolution 1200dpi single pass print engine using Fuji Samba print heads. The DICE 1600 is the new 1600dpi aqueous Memjet based printer that offers a high resolution images and low capital cost. Both systems are based around the DICEblade system.

Rotocontrol (3511) will join EMT International for its first exhibition at Labelexpo Americas. The company will have three machines showing a range of finishing innovations with live demonstrations. On stand will be the DT-Series 340 for advanced finishing of digitally pre-printed label rolls, the FC-Series 540 fully-automatic turret for rewinding of pressure sensitive self-adhesive labels, and the RSC-Series 440 high-performance, compact, and extremely robust label slitter/rewinder.

EMT will provide technical information and application support for their Chameleon high speed inkjet finishing solutions. Additionally, label punching, die-cut units and a variety of label press auxiliary components including shafts, slitter holders, and plow folding solutions will be displayed.

RotoMetrics (129) will be showing its RotoRepel non-stick and performance enhancement treatment, which prevents even the most aggressive adhesives from sticking to the die-cutting blade. It will also display its Challenger solid die for abrasive materials and be raising awareness of its its online MyRoto site.

Siegwerk (5923) will introduce its Sicura Flex ORBIS ink series, a new generation of UV flexo inks especially developed for pressure sensitive paper, film labels as well as unsupported films and shrink sleeve applications. According to the company this series offers high colour strength and low viscosity for an improved print performance at higher speeds. It is a monochromatic base ink series which provides a wider expanded colour gamut. Live demonstrations will be given on its FastMatch web-based colour matching software program featuring the newest Pantone colours.

Tilia Labs (6461) will be unveiling its Phoenix 7.0 software release for narrow web production. For the first time in the US, the company will show new features for optimising substrate usage and boosting setup speed, flexibility and control for narrow web label printers. tilia Phoenix uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) in automating planning and imposition for all types of print and post-press applications.

Tresu Group’s (1308) stand highlight is the new FlexiPrint Reservoir SAVEink chamber doctor blade, for narrow-web flexo applications up to 800mm wide. Its integrated reservoir contains a large ink volume, eliminating the need for a connected pump. The carbon-fibre MaxiPrint Concept chamber comes in 1600mm to 6000mm widths. Its integrated cleaning nozzle with low-pressure water-shot mechanism efficiently cleans the chamber and anilox roll, fast, with minimal water loss.

Vetaphone (5605) will be showing the newest generation of its narrow web product line, including two VE1A corona treaters and an iCorona generator. In addition, there will be Vetaphone corona systems working on narrow web presses at the expo, including those on the Mark Andy, HP Indigo, Nilpeter, Bobst, Omet, AB Graphic, Domino, ETI and Screen stands.

Wink (1529) will present its SmartGap Touch adjustable anvil. The cylinder gap (clearance) can be adapted very precisely to different liners and fluctuating liner thicknesses, so that even with demanding applications and very thin liners optimum die-cutting results are achieved. In addition, Wink will present various SuperCut flexible die versions and finishing options for a wide range of label applications, and new ForceControl pressure gauges for optimum control of the die-cutting process.

Zeller+Gmelin (1015) will show a complete range of flexo products: 30, 32, 36 & 37 Series UV flexo for labels, packaging, cartons, shrink sleeves and the lowest migration levels available; 17 Series LED flexo for this fast-growing segment; and 41, 42 and 43 Series water-based flexo inks for labels, film and direct thermal applications with the most pH-stable chemistry available.