UK printer invests in second Soma press

Soma Engineering has installed a second flexographic printing press at UK-based Reflex Flexible Packaging.

The 1,270mm MIDI II, central impression press prints on a wide variety of films including LDPE, HD, OPP paper and laminates, and is equipped with Soma’s Falcon II intelligent job setting and semi-automatic register setting.

The eight-color MIDI II press is part of a package that also includes a Lamiflex E, laminator to expand the Reflex’s printing and flexible packaging production.

Both systems were supplied through Soma’s UK agent, Engelmann & Buckham.

The Lamiflex E supplied offers a coating width of up to 1,310mm and uses a two part, solvent-free adhesive that sets via chemical reaction. This operating system eliminates the need for a heated drying tunnel. Other features include shaftless unwind and rewind and a precise, servo driven tension control system.

The new press joins a Soma MIDI that Reflex purchased five years ago, and will double the 18,000 sq ft Telford site’s production capability. This currently includes flexible packaging for customer sectors such as confectionary, snacks, meat, poultry, dairy, bakery and sports nutrition, in the form of film on the reel, stand-up pouches and shrink sleeves.

Peter Ralten of Reflex said: ‘The new equipment has a faster set-up and running speed, resulting in products going through the manufacturing process more efficiently than most in the market today.

‘Growth over the last few years has created the need for expansion and the new machinery has enabled us to do this. Our customers and end users will also benefit from the increased manufacturing quality and consistency that this highly technical and robust machinery provides.’

Read more on laminating here