Paul Macdonald Sales Manager Mark Andy UK Advancements in Flexo Technology

Look how far we have come pressure sensitive press.

Many improvements over the years However – issues remain –Longer changeover times –Extensive setup material waste –Poor and inconsistent print quality –Higher running material waste –Inconsistent output between operators –Long training curves for new operators Issues with older Flexo Technology

Converter Challenges Increasing substrate costs Increasing ink costs Increasing plate costs Commoditized business Price pressures Shorter run lengths Difficulty finding/keeping skilled operators Converter

What has changed with flexo press technology? Over the past few years, new flexo presses have hit the market: –Elimination of multiple adjustments –Discrete, repeatable settings –Automatic positioning of all print head components –Elimination of time consuming adjustments for repeat changes –Servo driven –Ultra-short web paths

Outcomes of new flexo technology Improved and more consistent print quality Faster changeover times Reduction in waste Enhanced capability More consistent production output – from lower skilled operators Two for one replacement of old flexo technology Pushing back on digital breakeven for shorter runs First color impression First good label

Digital/Flexo breakeven Job size Job cost Traditional flexo New flexo Typical digital solution

What are the challenges going forward? Eliminate remaining bottlenecks Energy conservation/environmental focus Reduction in waste Enhanced capability Down-gauged liners Continued price pressure Increasing costs Shrinking labor pool New technologies are on the way to help...

Diecutting Single biggest remaining bottleneck in converting today New solutions offer several benefits –Single minute changeovers –Improved ergonomics –More consistent die cut quality –High speed stripping –Difficult die shapes Results –60% setup reduction –Increase in press speeds by 150 fpm or greater –Elimination of potential injuries

LED UV The future in UV curing Many benefits Instant on/off No ozone generation Low heat – No IR energy High energy efficiency Longer lamp life 22,000 hrs plus Dependability Durability – fewer moving parts Full ink sets now coming to market Technology on display at UK Show Room and Labelexpo 2013

Advanced Drying Systems Press speed is often limited by drying capability Growth into short run flexible packaging has brought more attention New technology allows high speed drying with several advantages –Low energy consumption – significant reduction compared to compressed air –Small footprint – ability to dry heavy coverage in 1/3 of typical web distance –Low heat output – good compatibility with filmic and other heat sensitive materials

Future focus Predictive performance In-line measurement and control Full system integration Enhanced capability Continued process simplicity

Automation Automation currently exists on current newer press models Typical automation approach has been focused on traditional manual operations Incremental improvements through servo implementations No unique value unlocked The future: Total system approach to automation Unlock values previously unavailable to converters Full integration of tooling and system

Unlocking value – an example Dies are made with important information in mind Blade depthDie repeat Liner thicknessBlade angle Imagine if – the press could “communicate” with the die How could this information be used? Set anvil depth for liner thickness Track die revolutions/die life Automatic compensation for die wear Set appropriate die cutting pressure This is just one example of future developments....

The future of flexo is bright Significant strides have been made in over the past couple of years New flexo presses have significantly increased productivity Near term developments will help break down existing bottlenecks Future developments will unlock unique value for the converters