The health care industry is characterised by smaller run lengths, thousands of different shapes, security in all aspects and an increasing demand for added-value, especially in the over-the-counter (OTC) segments. At the end of 2001, a Gallus KM 410 was installed at Eberle, the first dedicated folding carton inline press.
Equipped with eight platform units for UV flexo printing and water-based varnishing in the last position as well as a flat-bed folding carton die-cutting machine Gallus FSM 410, the press fits ideally in the changing market.
Today, Eberle is running approximately 80 per cent of all jobs formerly printed exclusively in sheetfed offset. The average run length is about 25‚000 boxes (or blanks) while the range starts with some hundreds and ends with some hundred thousands. The production speed is in the range of 60 to 80m/min depending on the size and the construction of the box.
And what does the end-user say? All of them – including some international brand owners – have not only accepted the flexo printing and inline converting quality, they are enthusiastic about it. The solids are even more solid and more stable than printed in offset and the fine (Japanese) characters are as sharp as on the proof.
The Gallus Carton Solution has gone through his baptism of fire and proven itself successfully. The concept consists of three key components: prepress (know-how), press (Gallus KM 410/510), and people (training and consulting).
Being the heart of the solution, the Gallus KM 410/510 was developed to serve some niches in the folding carton business. Positioned as a single purpose press for inline production of folding carton products with added-value elements in small dimensions and in small to medium run lengths, the Gallus KM 410/510 fits ideally in the health care, beauty care, confectionery and other food or non-food market segments where flexo printing quality is accepted. Initial focus was on the pilot markets in Europe, and now Gallus is opening up to the entire world.
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