Page 67 - Print 21 Magazine March-April 2019

Labels
A big plus for label converters
UV inkjet is an up-and-coming technology in the world of digital label printing, and Screen’s L350UV inkjet label press has enjoyed considerable success in Australia and New Zealand, with five installations across the two countries. Now, the upgraded version has arrived on Australian shores. Jake Nelson visited Screen distributor Jet Technologies’ demonstration showroom in Rosebery to see it in action.
On the outside there is little visual difference between the Screen L350UV+ digital label press and its predecessor
– the chassis looks virtually the same, save for the change in model number. Under the hood, however, there have been some significant upgrades,
as Screen GP Australia’s managing director Peter Scott tells me.
“One main difference from the previous model is that it now has an orange ink option. It is now CMYK plus white and orange, which increases the colour gamut,” says Scott.
“In addition the L350UV+ has the ability to print at sixty metres per minute, up from fifty, which is a twenty per cent increase in productivity. It also has in the machine a chill roller, which allows it to print on thinner films and more heat-sensitive materials, so users can move into different markets.
“The demo machine here at Jet Technologies is fully specified – the only option it does not have is low- migration inks designed for food- related packaging. We could bring in a machine with that option if we needed to,” he says.
The original L350UV boasts five local installations: one in Sydney, one in Auckland, and three in Melbourne. More than a hundred are operating worldwide, and according to Scott, its customers could not be happier with it.
“We look at improving the productivity and energy efficiency, and increasing the number of applications the press can handle.” — Peter Scott, Screen GP
“It has proven itself to be reliable, and customers have bought their second, third, and fourth machines from us,” he says.
Jet Technologies’ showroom has seen four demonstration L350UV machines in operation, and now hosts the first L350UV+ to reach Australia. Scott expects it to be as successful as the original, if not more.
“Global customers are now starting to trade in the old model and put the new one in, because
of the extra colour and higher productivity. The L350UV+ is based on the original model, so the reliability, the head technology and all of those things are in place and have proven themselves.
“As with anything Screen does, we look at improving the productivity and energy efficiency, and increasing the number of applications the press can handle,” he says.
The demo machine at Rosebery has already proved popular, according to David Reece, sales director at Jet Technologies. “We were booked up for three weeks,” he says. “Label converters are coming in to see the machine in action, and
they’re printing their own jobs to see the quality, high productivity, and low total cost of ownership this press has to offer.”
Opened in 2014, the Jet Technologies demo centre has played host to not just the L350UV+ and its predecessor, but other equipment from the company as well; more is expected to come this year, including a laminator for the print and packaging division.
“We always have a certain
amount of equipment on show,
be it Screen or otherwise – things like platemaking and rotary screen making equipment,” says Reece. “The L350UV+ is our flagship digital press on demonstration.”
According to Reece, every
L350UV sale Jet has made has
been to customers who visited
the demonstration centre. The showroom has been a useful tool
not just for Jet Technologies, but the customers themselves, who can use it to learn more about the equipment they’re considering buying, he says.
“The biggest benefit is that they can come, stay as long as they want – be it a day, two days, an hour – and run their materials hands-on with the machine to get all the information they need in an open and transparent way.
“We have also worked with most of the major materials suppliers to qualify and test their products, and our customers can see how their own jobs will look on a variety of substrates,” says Reece.
Screen and Jet Technologies customers can be assured they will not be left high and dry if they need help with their new L350UV+ presses.
According to Scott, Screen has five engineers on the ground capable of handling the machine, while Jet Technologies offers application support.
“The L350UV+ is not an orphan product – it is backed up by Screen and Jet Technologies’ experienced support teams, along with the whole Screen product range,” he says. 21
Booked up: (l-r) Darryl Wilson and David Reece from Jet Technologies, Peter Scott and Derek Field from Screen, and Matthew Vaughn
from Jet Technologies with the Screen L350UV+ digital label press
Print21 MARCH/APRIL 2019 67