Using the Servo 3000 for Digital Print Finishing Speeds up Return on Investment

Sept. 11, 2010 - PRLog -- Digital presses have revolutionized the world of short run label printing. Setup times and setup waste are reduced. Label content can be changed, even in mid run, as the content is computer generated. As with all equipment purchases the printer needs to take short run jobs and do them cost efficiently in order to obtain a profitable return on investment. What is important in this regard is that with digital label printing a second machine is needed for finishing and its total cost and contribution must be entered into calculations for return on investment.

Finishing Choices

When a printer buys a new digital label press he will pay for the press and there will be a cost for training operators on the new equipment. For finishing the printer now has two options. He can buy a new, stand alone, machine for laminating, die cutting, and stripping or he can upgrade an existing flexographic press with the Servo 3000 easily attached accessory to do the same work. Here is where the choice of which finishing solution to choose has a definite impact on return on investment. Both a stand alone machine and the Servo 3000 will need to be paid for. Adding the Servo 3000 to an existing flexo press may well reduce investment cost and will typically result in more efficient operation for finishing work as well as all other press jobs.

Investment Cost

If the printer buys a second machine for finishing that cost plus the cost of training staff on the new machine must be added to that of the digital press. If the printer upgrades an existing flexo press with the Servo 3000 Infeed and Re-register System the capital investment is typically lower and training time is minimal as operators are familiar with the existing flexo press.

The Contribution of the Servo 3000 versus a Stand Alone Finishing Machine

The problems with using a stand alone finishing machine instead of an upgraded flexo press are two fold. First, the machine can only be used for the work of finishing labels from the digital press. When it is not doing this work it is idle and not making money to pay back on investment. Second, there are jobs such as finishing multilayer labels that a stand alone finishing machine cannot do whereas a Servo 3000 upgraded flexo press can. Thus, while the stand alone finishing solution is standing alone in the corner of the shop a flexo press upgraded with the Servo 3000 is taking on new work, reducing set up and running waste, and paying for itself.

A Servo 3000 assisted flexo press will be able to do more printing jobs with less waste when not doing finishing work for a digital label press. The Servo 3000 will improve overall press performance and enhance return on investment of the digital press and Servo 3000 combination.

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Rotary Technologies produces the Servo 3000 Infeed and Re-register System. This servo and re-register system is an easily attached upgrade for rotary presses that reduces material waste and allows a press to run a wider range of substrates than normally.