Product category:
Printing Presses Ancillary Equipment
News Release from: Weko UK | Subject: Weko-PAS
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 25 May 2005
Powder Extraction Sustains Perfector
Efficiency
Weko UK is set to install a sixth Weko-PAS powder extraction system at Buxton Press, based at High Peak in Derbyshire (UK).
Weko UK is set to install a sixth Weko-PAS powder extraction system at Buxton Press, based at High Peak in Derbyshire (UK) The system will be fitted to Buxton's latest KBA 105 (B1) long perfecting press, due for delivery in early summer
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 20 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The delivery comes after Buxton successfully trialled its first Weko-PAS two and a half years ago.
Since then, Buxton's managing director Kirk Galloway has ensured that, along with the existing KBA presses, all future presses would be fitted with the same system.
Buxton Press originally trialled the Weko-PAS as it was mindful, not only of the need to consider the environment, but also the working conditions for those operating the presses.
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Explained Galloway: "Spray is an inherent problem, especially with perfecting presses where you are turning the sheet and, therefore, need more additives to ensure it stays dry." Having monitored Weko's PAS-System, Buxton Press immediately noticed significant reductions, not only in the quantity of spray used but also the amount of spray released in to the atmosphere and in to the press itself.
"Walk into most printers that are using high volumes of spray and you are literally walking in it.
Here we've eliminated that because it's being extracted.
Our original trial showed that we enjoyed a 50 per cent reduction in spray usage by using Weko's PAS powder extraction system against presses without the system.
We actually had the perfect trial because running identical presses meant that we were able to compare the results both with and without Weko's system," added Galloway.
So successful was the trial that Buxton Press quickly decided to install units on all of its other KBA 105 eight-colour and 10-colour presses.
As Galloway explained, there are a number of advantages to using Weko's PAS System: "Quite aside from the financial saving in using reduced amounts of spray, the extracted waste spray means that the environmental effect is less detrimental - both as a whole and within the immediate factory environment.
Indeed the extracted air is so clean that it remains in the print room, eliminating additional energy costs." Importantly, from a production aspect, Buxton Press has experienced no reduction in running speeds or workflow, which was a key concern prior to installation.
Galloway continued: "Like any printer we were keen that our overall efficiency would remain unaffected.
We are producing anything between 10,000 to 12,000 sheets per hour, mostly on 55gsm and 130gsm stocks.
Crucially, we are running the presses flat out and have experienced no problems with the paper runs.
There is a common misconception that if you are extracting spray, you need to put more on it to extract.
We can safely say that it isn't the case and we have found that with the extraction system we can actually reduce the volume of spray being put on to the sheet and still extract it." He said that Weko had positioned the extraction unit so that it was easily retro-fitted on to the presses, as well as being fitted at source.
As the operators get more used to it, they are asking for it to be on their machines as they are dealing with less clean-up.
"This system is very clean and extremely simple to operate.
Once it is set up there's no need for intervention other than changing the bag when it's full," said Galloway.
As a prominent magazine production house, Buxton Press operates a full-service production line, from PDF origination to finishing and mailing.
The company currently produces 340 different titles per month through 140 different publishers.
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