新闻通报
2006年0月27日 - Arnsberg
Interprint Starts With Own Laser Engraving
The new engraving centre at Interprint’s headquarters in Arnsberg, which started its operations at the beginning of the year, is equipped with both a conventional system for electromechanical engraving and a Direct Laser System. Interprint is therefore the first decorative paper printer with in-house laser engraving capacities.
Quality aspects were decisive for Interprint in the procurement of the Direct Laser System: laser engraving of the printing cylinders allows an even better print quality of the decors. Gerhard Hochstein, Head of the Technical Division at Interprint and member of the management board said: “The new technology will result in a quality leap in decorative paper printing. In contrast to electromechanical engraving, there will no longer be a decor that is printable but not engravable – more likely the other way round.“ Whereas the cells are always pyramidal with electromechanical engraving, any cell shape is possible with laser engraving. This significantly increases the dynamic range in print reproduction. Gerhard Hochstein said: “The laser technology delivers new perspectives going far beyond the previous possibilities. Interprint will once again perform its leading role in the further development of new technologies in decorative paper printing.“
Direct Laser System allows, for the first time, the exact reproduction (1:1) of decors over many years. As the system works without contact with the engraving surfaces it does not have the wear disadvantages of mechanical tools, such as those of diamond nicks occurring with the conventional system. The more stable process control obtained with laser engraving therefore necessitates less cylinder repeats/corrections than was previously necessary in the case of a faulty reproduction of the original artwork.
The laser engraving is also done much quicker than the electromechanical engraving. Gerhard Hochstein: “Interprint increases its turnaround speed and, if necessary, makes available a new engraved decor within one working day. The in-house engraving also saves transport time. These two aspects – the more stable process control and the higher engraving speed – result in a quicker decor development for the customer.“
The new technology also reduces numerous problems that typically occur in decor printing with electromechanically engraved cylinders: The colouring of fine screens or lines and doctor blade bounce in the case of cylinders with little image, such as is the case with the reproduction of distinct wood pores.
Although the arguments for the quality leap in terms of printing result and customer service prevailed, Interprint also intensively examined the critical aspects prior to the investment decision. The investment expenditure for the laser engraving technology is much greater than that for an electromechanical engraving. On the other hand, the more stable process control results in a higher productivity.
Critics often claimed that laser engraving was “not yet a mature technology“. Gerhard Hochstein’s comment on this: “It goes without saying that we conducted numerous tests prior to our investment decision. The results were certainly better than those obtained with electromechanical engraving. We believe that the potential of conventional engraving has been largely exhausted. It will not achieve the quality level that is already possible today with the laser. This also applies for reproducibility.“
Customers could convince themselves of the print quality at ZOW: Interprint presented the decor “Cedar Prometeo”, which was developed exclusively for SIT S.r.l. in Italy, at its exhibition stand. This high-quality 5-colour decor (2 thereof in mother-of-pearl colours) was printed with laser engraved cylinders that were manufactured in the new engraving centre in Arnsberg.
Interprint’s Managing Director Klaus-Dieter Mayer stressed: “With the in-house laser engraving, we have direct access to a totally new technology. All locations of the Interprint Group will benefit from this by being able to use the capacities of the engraving centre at any time. We see this investment as a contribution to our aim of improving the decor and service quality worldwide for our customers and setting new benchmarks with such quality.“
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Do you have any questions or want more information? - Please contact:
Leo Bisping
INTERPRINT GmbH & Co. KG
Westring 22
D-59759 Arnsberg
Phone: +49 (0) 29 32 / 9 50 - 3 53
Fax: + 49 (0) 29 32 / 9 50 - 3 09
eMail: leo.bisping@interprint.de
Internet: www.interprint.com
