W&H installs first flagship Vistaflex C model in Europe

German flexible packaging supplier Neemann has become the first printer in Europe to install a Windmöller & Hölscher 10-color Vistaflex CL 10 flexo press, the flexible packaging machinery manufacturer’s flagship model from its Vistaflex C product line.

The 10-color Vistaflex CL 10 flexographic printing press (pictured, top) features a printing width of 1,650mm (65in) and a maximum repeat length of 1,250mm (49in).

Neemann is using the press to extend its printing capacity, as well as target new opportunities in the flexible packaging market. Neemann is a medium-sized family-run enterprise founded in 1889. It has recently been making substantial investments to support future growth. This includes an extra 4,500 sq m of floor space added to its facilities, where the Vistaflex CL 10 is installed.

The company produces flexible packaging material for the consumer goods sector, especially for baby diapers and hygiene and sanitary articles, but also for the food sector.
The investment decision was preceded by months of selecting and configuring the machine's specification, with the main focus being on print quality, short make-ready times and economic efficiency.

Neemann pressroom manager Manfred Hüttemeyer said: ‘Following extensive comparison tests we decided to prefer the Vistaflex CL 10 to a side loaded sleeve machine.’

The flexible packaging firm concluded that side loading will reach its limits owing to the higher weight of sleeves and adapters to be handled when processing large printing widths and repeat lengths, and Hüttemeyer added: ‘It is primarily with these applications that the Vistaflex is changed over between production runs notably faster and with greater ease – especially thanks to Vista-Port.’

Vista-Port is the handling robot for the Vistaflex C series. Plate cylinder bases and sleeves, as well as anilox rollers, are automatically changed during make-ready. This is done quickly, while at the same time ensuring job safety at any time. The press operator selects the sequence of orders, and Vista-Port automatically organises the changeover actions and completes them in the most time efficient manner.

Wilfried Hoppen, technology manager at Neemann, said: ‘The printing quality is unprecedented, which is attributable to the sturdy cylinder bases with directly fitted sleeves that are mounted without adapters.

‘Thanks to Vista-Port, in conjunction with Easy-Set, Easy-Reg and Easy-View, an unprecedented automation level and speed during changeovers is reached, which allows even short run lengths to be produced with optimum productivity. The printer controls the most important print settings on the numerous screens provided on the press and can concentrate on fine tuning to guarantee the precision that is vital to perfect print results.’

Maximum energy efficiency, which has been the underlying principle of the entire project, also applies to the printing machine. The Vistaflex CL 10 is equipped with the automatic ink supply and wash-up system Turboclean, which features viscosity and color temperature control to guarantee consistent print quality, while reducing energy usage by more than 40 percent, as compared to previous systems, according to Windmöller & Hölscher.