The modular Gallus ICS 670 inline machine system has a maximum print width of 670 mm. Configured with a non-stop large-roll unwinder for rolls with a diameter of 1800 mm, the new Gallus gravure unit, eight EVA (Easy Value Add) platforms for various modules, and the Gallus FCL 670 flat-bed die-cutter. The gravure printing unit complements the HiDef flexo printing, which is positioned by Gallus in the Gallus ICS 670 as the mainstream printing process.
The company says that all cylinder settings are controlled by powered drives and the unit has a novel web length compensation device, which maintains a constant web tension if the impression roller has to be lifted for make-ready purposes such as to exchange the plate cylinder. The gravure unit can be converted on the fly without having to separate the carton web in order to change the cylinder. An ink changeover trolley containing all of the components needed to supply the gravure unit with ink means ink changes can be carried out by a single operator. The ink tray and doctor blade are automatically positioned by a motor relative to the plate cylinder. The gravure unit in the drupa configuration prints with impression cylinder sleeves and water based inks, which are dried in a 2m long hot air dryer.
It adds that, in combination with a blank ejector in the transport section of the Gallus FCL 670 flat-bed die-cutter, the fully automatic, inline quality control system eliminates the need to undertake manual inspections and remove faulty blanks superfluous. A monitoring unit positioned downstream of the last EVA platform and fitted with different camera systems continuously checks the printed image and the surface of the web for defects like colour inconsistencies, registration errors, doctor blade streaks etc. Up to eight lanes of blanks can be individually monitored in this way and ejected on a lane-by-lane basis with no restriction on the blank length.
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