As ‘automation’ is set to be one of the headline themes during Labelexpo Europe, Apex International is gearing up to present its innovative ‘Smart Anilox’. This RFID-equipped anilox roll will be a key part of the connectivity platform ‘talk to me’, created by press manufacturer MPS. The newly developed platform enables interaction between MPS printing presses and Management Information Systems (MIS) in order to automate various processes, from pre-press to printing through to the final post-press stages.
Apex International is well known in the industry for its innovative approach to the flexographic printing process. By developing GTT rolls with its patented Open Slalom Ink Channel anilox surface geometry, Apex reinvented the very concept of ink-to-plate transfer – providing printers with guaranteed print consistency and improved productivity. “Equipping our anilox rolls with an RFID-chip will now take our customers to a new level of process control”, says Remco Snik, manager R&D at Apex International. “By teaming up with MPS – already a technology partner for over 20 years – and its ground-breaking connectivity technology, Apex is once again expanding its offer to printers to become more efficient and more productive.”
Image: Remco Snik (Apex) demonstrating the RFID Scanning device to Bert van den Brink (MPS) and Hans Poortinga (MPS, standing)
Link all steps
Bert van den Brink, co-founder and technical director at MPS, explains how the ‘talk to me’ platform is a break-through in the integration of all software and equipment on the print shop floor: “We intend to link all steps in the production process to the MIS to ensure a constant flow of real time information. This will enable printing houses to optimize and control their processes, and enhance profitability.”
Open connectivity platform
The foundations for the connectivity platform were laid two years ago, when MPS launched its first hybrid flexo/inkjet label press, says Hans Poortinga, manager Technology & Expertise Center MPS: “Building on that experience, we are now taking a digital approach to conventional technologies.” Based on industry standards, such as JDF, ‘talk to me’ is an open platform: “It is an ongoing development initiative, and open to other partners and their automation solutions.”
RFID-technology
Having first run field tests with a ‘talk to me’-enabled press at a German site, MPS will now be showing its connectivity platform live at Labelexpo Europe. Together with partners CERM and Labeltraxx (MIS), Esko (color management and workflow management) and AVT (product quality inspection), Apex will bring its Smart Anilox to the show. Remco Snik: “Eight years ago, we already considered the possibilities of RFID-technology. But only now that we can truly cooperate with these partners on a broad platform, it will be able to offer real added value to printers.”
Smart Anilox and MIS
The anilox’ RFID-chip will contain static product data, enabling printers to quickly locate and retrieve individual anilox rolls. At the same time, it will also be able to store new data and update information during print production (on running time, speed, color, etcetera). “Smart Anilox data will be integrated into the MIS. This will, for example, allow for taking into account the availability of the right anilox rolls when scheduling jobs on various presses. It will also shorten make ready times, as the press will automatically identify anilox rolls and adapt any pre-settings accordingly. And the system will be able to provide feedback that enables preventive anilox maintenance to take place in time,” says Snik, adding: “We trust our customers and partners to come up with many more opportunities and additional benefits.”
Bert van den Brink, Hans Poortinga and Remco Snik are excited to see the ‘talk to me’ platform go live: “As automation and digitization become of increasing importance to this industry, we are now together taking the lead in helping printers and converters maximize efficiencies in their overall production environment.”
Image: Bert van den Brink (Technical Director MPS) and Jeanine Graat (Global Marketing Manager Apex) “This Strategic Partnership between Industry leaders is very important to bring innovations into the Flexographic printing industry”
Apex International is present at Labelexpo at Stand 11B20. MPS Systems is present at Stand 11C20. Furthermore, demonstrations will be given on an MPS press in the Automation Arena.
