Contiweb offers a new double-sided variable coating unit, Variable Coater (VC), for continuous inkjet presses. The Contiweb VC, which pre-treats the paper before printing or applies a coating in post-printing on a standard paper reel, has the special feature of adapting to the width of the web being processed and allows the thickness of the coating it applies to be changed easily without changing sleeves or anilox rollers.
"We have developed the variable coating unit to enable customers to use standard offset paper for all types of printed matter - including those with high ink coverage - which is much more cost-effective, explains Rutger Jansen, CEO of Contiweb. By using standard offset paper instead of inkjet-treated paper at the mill, printers can expect to save up to 30 percent in paper costs.
This new coating unit from Contiweb enables the amount of primer or varnish on both sides of the paper to be precisely adjusted on the web, reducing coating consumption by around 15 per cent. It is also possible to change the web width with a simple production stop, without replacing anilox sleeves or rollers, unlike most existing systems that use flexo technology.
This new coating system is based on three-roll immersion coating. The web moves vertically between the front and back transfer rollers. The two three-roller units (front and back) are equipped with a metering roller that picks up the coating from the hopper and transfers it to a smooth stainless steel pick-up roller and then to the rubber transfer roller.
The speed of all rollers can be adjusted independently, allowing control of the volume of coating transferred. And by lateral displacement, the cassettes automatically position themselves over the web width, making the web width variable.
Developed in collaboration with European printing group Paragon Customer Communications and digital press and CTP manufacturer Kodak, Contiweb's VC can be installed in-line or off-line with leading high-end digital presses with widths from 25.4 to 66.0 cm.
Randy Vandagriff, Kodak's Vice President of Digital Printing, says : "There is a growing market for high-coverage digital printing on glossy or coated papers, such as direct mail and catalogs. Contiweb's variable coating unit installed inline or offline with the Kodak Prosper press is an excellent way for printers to reduce costs, increase quality and improve their paper supply chain"
