Flexo Wash launches plate washing unit

FlexoWash, a supplier of cleaning systems to North American flexo and gravure printers, has introduced a plate washing unit for the narrow, mid and wide web markets. These fully automatic plate washers are available in six sizes and leave print plates clean, dry and ready to use in just a few minutes.  

The equipment can wash up to 300 narrow web plates an hour, and up to 100 wide web plates in the same time frame. No manual washing is required, so operators can concentrate on press make-ready functions instead of cleaning. The plate washers can handle all types of ink. 

The plates are placed on the conveyor belt and are automatically led into the machine. Soft, moving brushes gently clean the plates in a few minutes. Two types of rinsing systems are available: an open rinse system with fresh water, which is led to the drain, or a closed-circuit rinse system where liquid is recirculated from a separate built-in tank that requires no drainage.

Brad Walton, production supervisor of Staples Print Solutions, said: ‘In these lean times we are always looking for ways to do more with the people we have, making them more productive and effective. In our prep department we were spending an excessive amount of time washing and drying plates. We were looking for an effective low cost solution. After researching the industry for a solution we found that Flexo Wash had the best product at a reasonable price. This equipment has paid for itself by allowing us to clean plates quickly and effectively, preserving them for future use and by utilizing our prep personnel for more important tasks. I would recommend FlexoWash to anyone in the industry due to the quality of their products and the integrity of those that support it. These guys are truly good and stand behind their product 100 percent.’