Taiwan Flexography '98 |
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The speakers which include Yang Chien-Ping, President, Taiwan Paper Containers Industry Association, Robert Bell Kinkead and Volker Jansen, BASF, Malaysia; Wolfgang Klos Geiger, G+K Tech Media, Germany; Josep Roca, Comexi, Spain; Elmar Zanforlin, Comco, USA; Michael Kockentiedt, Rotec, Germany; Jens Kaufmann, Beiersdorf, Singapore; Ian Davies, OYO Digital Imaging, Australia; Charles Yang, Bobst, China and Uli Buckmann, Praxair, Germany were asked to present a strictly non-commercial technical paper. Let's have a brief on the many issues discussed during Taiwan Flexography 98. The first speaker, Wolfgang Klos-Geiger, G+K TechMedia gave a brief outline in his speech "Overview on Flexography -- It's growth and it's potential" on the different applications in flexography. Wolfgang's presentation included the market segmentation and the technological aspects for the development of HQ flexography. He compared in his study the standards and market shares of Asian flexography with those of Australia, US, South America and Europe. His focus on the future trends included a close look on the efficiency of shorter print runs due to designs being changed, just-in-time production, demand for higher print quality, and the development of food packaging in Asia. Josep Roca from Comexi, Spain, gave an interesting out-line on how to chose the right flexo press configuration suitable for different print run requirements. He gave a clear picture of the technical requirements for flexible packaging, carrier bags, sacks, pre-print, corrugated board, tags, labels, wrappers and beverage cartons. A key point of his presentation was how to choose the appropriate machine configuration suitable for just-in-time operation, total quality management and efficiency with short print run orders. Josep presented an impressive brief on how to manage short run orders profitably. Elmar Zanforlin, Comco USA, delivered an interesting paper titled "Latest Developments in Folding Carton Printing" since folding carton printing by flexography is a totally new technology to Asia. Elmar embarked on how to print folding cartons in UV flexo and with water-based ink systems and why to use flexography rather than litho or other processes. He tracked on the different market segmetations such as pharmaceutical carton boxes, carton boxes for food wrapping, candy boxes, perfume boxes etc. An important issue in his speech was the focus on how to take advantage of flexography by reduced capital investment, reduced labour costs and reduced scrap and waste. Volker Jansen, BASF, Malaysia, explained detailed during his presentation "Latest inventions in plate processing -- Computer to sleeve" appropriate plate systems used in high quality halftone printing, since many Asian flexible packaging printers and converters are now embarking in high graphics printing by using conventional plate making technologies. Especially for the converters among the audience Volker gave quite an interesting overview on which particular combination consisting of plate, cushion, tape and carrier to be used for printing on a wide range of liner materials. Finally Volker tracked on the successful introduction of central reprography as a significant tool for global customer service and on the potentials, requirements and advantages which are provided by new technologies such as computer to plate (digiflex) or computer to sleeve (digisleeve). Michael Kockentriedt from Rotec, Germany, had been introduced as the 5th speaker. Michael in his speech "Compressible Sleeve Technology in Packaging Printing" talked on the latest experiences with compressible sleeves in Asia. He clearly supported the idea on the future trend to a computer to sleeve process and explained which way the flexographic industry will move with the advert of endless-seamless designs in flexography. After lunch break Jens Kaufmann, Beiersdorf Singapore, was asked to deliver a paper on different compressible backing materials. In his speech: "New developments of double sided adhesive tape and cushion tape technology for flexographic printing" Jens revealed latest printing results obtained with different stickybacks and cushions by applying thin plate technology. He presented the full range of different cushion materials with diverse characteristics in compressibility, spring back properties or tack values. Jens certainly gave a very clear advice on which plate/cushion system is tailor-made for high quality halftone printing, maximised printing speed or combinations of solid areas, line work and halftone printing. "Computer to film -- Pre-Press Technology for the Corrugated Industry" was the next presentation conducted by Ian Davies, OYO Digital Imaging, Australia. Like all other printing processes, flexography is currently being challenged by the digital revolution. The cut and paste method of large format artwork generation is under close examination as the cost factor drives companies to improve efficiencies and cost effectiveness. Ian explained that conventional image setters may not be justified in small and medium sized operation for corrugated printing and he presented an alternative pre-press technology such as thermal and projection processes. The main issue Ian talked on was the introduction of a new generation of computer to film out-put equipment, working with thermal image transfer onto a film carrier as the latest and most cost-effective alternative for large scale negative film production used in photopolymeric plate making for corrugated. Charles Yang, Bobst China, delivered a speech on "Advances in Corrugated Direct Printing". Charles embarked on the corrugated image requirements. This information has been considered as crucial, since in Asia there are only a few trade houses capable to provide a high quality colour separation and proper flexo design. Charles of course also explained on how to assess the quality and printability of a certain printing designs under consideration of different features on the press necessary to achieve quality halftone direct printing. BASF as a provider of a full printing systems consisting of inks and photopolymer plates presented a paper on water-based printing inks used for corrugated printing. Robert Bell Kinkead, BASF, Malaysia, provided in his technical paper "Water-based ink systems and useful things to know about inks in Asia" lot's and lot's of useful and interesting information on how to adjust flexographic ink in the press. He gave an impressive overview on the different influences which effect the print quality such as ink pH., viscosity, temperature, humidity, climate, water hardness etc. Robert explained the reason for different printing effects due to ink adjustment influencing the print quality dramatically. To prove the availability of high quality halftone work achieved via direct corrugated printing in Asia some impressive high graphic corrugated boxes with AM and FM halftone designs were presented. Those samples were printed in China and Malaysia with BASF inks and plates. As the final speaker Uli Buckmann, Paxair Germany completed the quality pyramid consisting of flexo press configuration, plate system, sleeve surface, tape/cushion properties, ink characteristics and substrate requirements by out-lining different technical characteristics of the "heard in the press" in his paper "Ceramic anilox rolls, progress and partnership in flexo printing process". Uli's speech was an important contribution to understand the influences on ink-transfer characteristics caused by the make of anilox rollers. After having embarked on screen angles, line count, cell shape, volume and surface properties, he revealed the latest developments in ceramic anilox roll making. The seminar ended with a question and answer session addressed to the speakers conducted by Christine Lim, BASF Malaysia, followed by thank you speeches of Robert Bell Kinkead, BASF Malaysia, and M.T.Liang, Joint Colour Taiwan.
According to feedback the seminar in Taiwan has been considered as a great success. You may obtain the manuscript of Taiwan Flexography 98 in English or Mandarin from Joint Colour, Taiwan. |
Taiwan Flexography '98, conducted on 26. June 1998 in Taipei was one of a continuous series of successful large flexographic seminars in Asia. After the great debut of the first flexo conference, Thai Flexography 98 on 28. February 98 in Bangkok at Chulalongkorn University, BASF as the major organiser had decided to conduct this technical conference at Taiwan National University, Taipei. Jointly organised by BASF, Taiwan Paper Containers Industry Association and Joint Colour, BASF's agent in Taiwan. This series of on-going seminars has already been considered by the Asian flexographic industry as the standard forum to discuss latest developments and trends of flexography in Asia. Taiwan Flexography 98 was strictly designed for end-users such as printers, converters, trade houses and packagers. When 210 industrial representatives jointed by 22 invited VIPs from Taiwanese universities and trade associations attended the seminar this was considered a great success. Even two gentlemen from the Taiwan government joint this flexo session, since the Taiwanese government is planning to support especially the flexographic industry due to the manifold positive environmental aspects. Ten internationally distinguished guest speakers were invited by BASF to present a technical non-commercial paper on the latest developments in flexography. Since the seminar was conducted in English an instant translation through headphones was available in Mandarin in order to provide an efficient information transfer to the audience. The audience was invited to contribute with an obligatory attendance fee to facilitate this flexographic conference. In spite of the registration fee and limited to only 210 guests, the seminar was already fully booked three weeks prior the event. This again showed the popularity of non-commercial technical conferences in Asia as a standard forum. Taiwan Flexography 98 has been considered as the first open technical flexographic conference in Taiwan. The main target of BASF's seminars is to improve flexographic technology standards in Asia, and to upgrade the flexo and converting industry with useful technical information. To achieve this goal a group of nine international recognised suppliers as major players in the development of flexographic systems are working close together to improve co-operatively the quality of the Asian flexographic market and providing a proper system for the development and enhancement of flexographic infra-structures in Asia.