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Seal’s AquaSEAL 60 and 80UV Pro machines are designed to be industry workhorses |
It's no surprise we are seeing an increase in new equipment to keep pace with trends. One company at the forefront of developments is Seal Graphics whose new range of products is designed to provide a more efficient way to do business.
It would be all too easy to adopt a ‘one size fits all' approach to digital print finishing but sadly the huge array of printers on the market means a more sophisticated approach is needed to achieve the right results.
Seal Graphics's product manager machines, Mick Budd, said: "As ever, the way an image is finished depends upon the application to which it will be put and the method of printing used.
"What we are seeing is an increasing adoption of flatbed printers, particularly UV printers, and their output requires a compatible method of finishing. Hence, the parallel growth in coaters using UV-curable liquid laminates."
As these coaters become more popular, so users want ever more features and greater output from the laminator. Responding to these demands, late last year Seal Graphics launched its new AquaSEAL 60 and 80UV Pro machines. They are designed to be workhorses for the print finishing industry, typically high volume sign and display houses using inkjet and UV flatbed printers.
These heavy-duty UV coaters deliver automated protective lamination on sheet, board or roll-fed substrates up to 76.2mm thick and widths of 1,524mm and 2,032mm respectively.
Features include an air knife to eliminate roller wraps; large diameter coating rollers to avoid roll deflection; adjustable coat weight between 7 and 20µm; and a manually adjustable nip with calibrated display for repeatable accuracy.
Both the AquaSEAL 60 and 80UV Pro operate at variable speeds of up to 32m/s, with the liquid laminate instantly cured when passing under the inbuilt UV dryer. UV curing means there is no necessity to clean down the three switchable 19lit lacquer reservoirs on a daily basis.
To date, liquid laminates have, in the majority, used a gloss finish. However, it is a sign of how this sector is maturing that printers and finishing houses are beginning to demand a greater variety of finishes.
Mick continued: "We see requests for lustre and gloss hard coat lacquers to provide additional scuff and abrasion resistance on the finished product, we are therefore looking into a range of hard coat lacquers that will provide a more durable longer lasting solution for more permanent rigid applications."
Ease of use
As illustrated with the AquaSEAL models mentioned here, today's users also expect greater ease-of-use. To meet these expectations, Seal recently announced new film laminators, the 44 Ultra Plus and 62 Ultra Plus suit both entry-level, first-time users and more sophisticated volume-oriented environments.
The 44 Ultra Plus is designed to mount, laminate and encapsulate digitally and photographically produced graphics up to 1,115mm wide; while the 62 Ultra Plus takes widths up to 1,550mm. A powered rewind station means Ultra Plus machines also ease handling of pressure sensitive materials.
Both machines are capable of handling substrates up to 12.5mm thick at speeds of 2.13m/min and incorporate top and bottom heated rollers (switchable to top-heat only if required) with three temperature settings to suit different films and adhesives.
These new models incorporate a foot control for hands-free operation. Also, due to its ability to handle wider, heavier materials, the 62 Ultra Plus also features a roll capture mechanism for easier consumables handling.
Given their dimensions, these laminators should find favour in even the most restricted spaces.
Low cost solutions
Customers are always looking to lower costs and laminating is no different. Mick added: "We have noticed a decided interest in lower-cost solutions. Lamination films have been around for so long that users regard them as commodity items now. As always, when this point is reached in a product lifecycle, users tend to want to drive prices ever downwards.
"We've responded in two distinct ways, firstly, by developing lower-cost options to suit particular applications such as short-term ones and secondly, by offering an ever wider range of films and film types. This way, users have more variety in their finishes and more choice. This seems to satisfy 99 per cent of users: sadly there will always be one per cent that are never satisfied!"
Green issues
There is also growing awareness of green issues, with the market responding to environmental demands both by developing more eco-friendly inks and solvents and by reducing hazardous materials built into equipment.
In this area Seal claims to have chalked up an industry-sector first late last year when the company achieved 100 per cent RoHS compliance for its entire range of laminators.
The RoHS Directive involves the restriction of use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Specifically, it bans the bringing to market of new equipment containing more than specified levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.
RoHS compliance has been achieved by a continuous drive for improvements in both part acquisition and manufacturing processes over a prolonged period: a feat the company is proud of.
Mick says: "It certainly has not been an easy task but as a manufacturer committed to producing machines of the highest specifications it was something we believed we had to do and while we will continue to support machines of earlier construction, our ability to deliver products which meet new EU regulations is a further testament to our position as the global market leader in lamination and encapsulation systems."
Entry level
Entry level solutions have also received a recent overhaul with the introduction of the 62 Base laminator, a wider version of its predecessor, the Seal 54 Base. This expands the options for sign makers, printers, finishing houses and in-plant departments to handle a wider variety of lamination tasks.
The 62 Base is designed to mount and laminate pressure sensitive solutions up to 1,575mm wide, while also offering the performance, flexibility and functionality of the 54 Base at speeds of up to 5m/s. The machine is priced at just over Ł5000.
The machine features heat assist on the top roller, auto grip shafts for easier webbing, plus a swing-up feed table. It offers a 50mm nip opening to accommodate road sign sleds. Adjustable speed and pressure settings aid versatility.
And finally
People often think the printing process is the only important part of producing stunning graphics, a fact which we know is untrue because overlooking the finishing process is something which could land you in hot water.
When a customer orders a print they want the finished result to look good. However, they also want it to last and it is the final touches in the process which can often secure a relationship.
As the market becomes ever more competitive it is the companies who go the extra mile that will continue to be successful. It is these companies who are investing in technology to ensure their graphics are properly finished and will stand the test of time.
Finishing equipment might seem like just another expense but the results speak for themselves: you cannot argue with customers who come back time and time again. There are a number of different solutions on the market, all designed to provide you with the ability to produce the right results. By making sure that you have access to this technology you can ensure your customers keep coming back to you.
How many of your customers have asked about the carbon footprint of your printing service?
