SECOND SOMA PRESS FOR REFLEX INCLUDES SOLVENTLESS LAMINATOR

Czech Republic based SOMA Engineering has announced the installation of a second flexographic printing press at UK-based Reflex Flexible Packaging. The eight colour MIDI II press is part of a package that also includes a Lamiflex E, laminator to expand the company’s printing and flexible packaging production. Both systems were supplied through SOMA’s UK Agent, Engelmann & Buckham.

The 1270mm 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. This system reduces waste at start-up by as much as 70 percent and reduces make-ready times by up to 50 percent allowing both long and short printing runs to be processed economically and with significantly reduced waste.

The Lamiflex E supplied offers a coating width of up to 1310mm and uses a two part, solvent-free adhesive that sets via chemical reaction. This operating system eliminates the need for a heated drying tunnel and saves on high energy consumption while reducing carbon emissions. Features include shaftless unwind and rewind and a precise, servo driven tension control system.

The new installation joins a SOMA MIDI press, which Reflex purchased 5 years ago, and will double the18,000 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, Doy-Packs (stand-up pouches) and shrink sleeves. The film supplied can be used for HFFS

, VFFS, lidding and can be produced with or without coatings, barriers and parchment effects.

“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

,” says Peter Ralten of Reflex. “Reflex is a sustainable business both financially and environmentally. 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.”

Formed in 2002, Reflex has seven manufacturing sites across the UK supplying the primary food and retail packaging markets in Europe and further afield. An extensive product range includes the supply of labels, linerless, sleeves and flexible packaging, creative design and artwork for packaging and barcode systems, thermal printers and associated ancillary products.

Soma Engineering has been supplying flexographic printing and converting systems since the 1990’s and are certified to CE standards. In addition to manufacturing CI flexographic printing presses SOMA also supplies slitter rewinders

, laminators, mounter proofers, sheeters, die-cutters and customer specified machinery. The company serves an international market from its facility in Lanskroun, Czech Republic that is supported through a network of distributors and agents around the world.

Contact

REFLEX FLEXIBLE PACKAGING LTD

Unit F, Halesfield 19

Telford – Shropshire, TF7 4QT

Great Britain

Phone: +44 1952 686 880

E-mail: e_b@buckham.co.uk

Web: www.thereflexgroup.co.uk