Flexo Innovation (Cont’d from Page 4)
In terms of technology change, the most active area is substrates. Then, I’d say process digitization throughout the packaging supply chain, so that brands and users are more closely connected than ever before. Brands don’t just use the package to communicate information, and consumers don’t ex- pect just to see the package. Everyone expects more. Q: What do you think are the main challenges facing the industry over the next few years? In general, the challenges are going to be in sup- ply chains and logistics management. One of the biggest problems flexographic printers and brands face is how to manage that supply chain. Do you continue to take the risk of having long, drawn-out supply chains – or do you start looking at shorter supply chains where you have more control and more reliability? The problem with that is often higher costs. I think you’ll see a lot of innovation in using AI and digital technologies to manage supply chains better. Rodney Pennings: Overcoming substrate challenges with flexographic printing Q: What are the main challenges for flexo- graphic printers of working with some of the newer substrates on the market? From my perspective, I’d say the machine consis- tency needs to be much more precise. Previously, the substrates we used had very wide operating windows, with a lot of variability – whether it’s the plates, the impression, the inks or how your dryers
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work. You could run your machines all day, limit to limit. Many of the new substrates don’t have those same operating margins, so our ma- chine setup needs to be very pre- cise. It’s usually the shrink wraps, and the Cryovac® low density poly- ethylenes – those tend to be more challenging in my experience. Q: How are you addressing those challenges?
Rodney Pennings
We’re building a lot of artificial intelligence into our equipment these days, especially around im- pression and register settings. We actually have algorithms that can look at how the machine is running and tell you when you’re running out of standard. That has two benefits: it helps operators learn more quickly, and allows them to build up from a lower skill set from the start. Q: How can flexographic printing help with that?
(Cont’d on Page 9)
6 July 17, 2023 Flexo Market News
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