Screen Printer Company Opens Technology Centre

The Stork Prints Group has opened its 2,300 square metre Technology Centre for rotary screen printing research, development and training facilities in Boxmeer (Netherlands).

The Stork Prints Group has opened its 2,300 square metre Technology Centre for rotary screen printing research, development and training facilities in Boxmeer (Netherlands).

The centre's five rotary screen printing lines are claimed by Stork Prints to make it easier and faster for label printers and graphics industry converters to test new ideas and applications, without having to lose production time or employee-hours at their own sites.

It will also enable Stork Prints to conduct its own trials, with support from industry partners, to make the process more competitive.

The wide-web lines that have been installed are principally for trials of industrial screen printing, textiles and wallcovering applications.

They will also be used as training facilities.

The graphics printing lines include an RSI (rotary screen integration) line with a three-metre hot-air and curing system.

Amongst others it will be used for trial runs of RFID-antennas.

A 10-inch wide four-colour press for narrow-web test-runs, includes all units in the RSI programme - the light, cassette-format Easyfit and RSI Compact for labels, as well as a full-specification RSI Unit for a wider range of substrates, including solid board.

Another feature is the Codimag two-colour semi-rotary screen press, which emphasises the close collaboration between Stork and the French press-maker.

With the full programme of Rotamesh and Specialcreen cylinders available at the centre, customers have the freedom to test the performance of the press with their chosen inks, pastes and substrates, supported by Stork's technical engineers, in strictest confidence, added the company.

Although the Technology Centre has just opened its doors, Stork Prints said it has already received interest from label and packaging converters, whilst brand-owners are also keen to learn about the added-value aspects offered by rotary screen printing.

The centre's application specialist, Wim Claassen commented: "Applications that our narrow-web customers are keen to test include Braille dots, security printing and RFID labels.

Security printers see the testing of different inks, laminates and screens at the centre as a means improving the anti-fraud features of bank notes or travel tickets." The facilities will also be used by Stork to carry out its own research and development projects with other industry partners such as manufacturers of inks, substrates and printing presses.

Claassen explained: "The new facilities are helping us make new productivity breakthroughs, which will, in turn, increase the competitiveness of rotary screen compared with other processes." Bespoke training programmes in rotary screen printing will be held at the Technology Centre, too.

Courses will include practical pre-press and on-press workshops, as well as courses in theory.

Typically lasting between one and three days, they will cater for newcomers to the process as well as experienced printers.

Claassen added: "The strength of rotary screen is its ability to create eye-catching designs, or special functions that aren't possible with other printing methods.

The Technology Centre, with its vast facilities, and our highly experienced engineers easily accessible, will help printers being their innovative ideas to life - and faster to market.

We are sure this will provide our customers the foundation for succeeding in a competitive market.".

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