CI flexo press

For narrow-web and mid-web converters, a CI flexo printing machinery platform based on the central impression principle is widely regarded as the most stable configuration for high-quality flexographic work. The Central impression flexo printing machine holds the substrate tightly against a large precision-ground drum, which controls web elongation and enables tight register on films, foils, and coated papers. Our CI flexographic printing machine series uses servo-driven print decks, sleeve-mounted plate cylinders, and enclosed doctor blade systems to reduce setup time while improving ink transfer consistency. The Central drum flexo printing machine design also supports cold foil, lamination, and in-line varnishing options for converters that need to consolidate multiple operations into a single pass.

As a central-drum CI flexo press engineered for modern flexible packaging, this system combines robust mechanical construction with automated workflow features to reduce waste and improve repeatability. The central impression drum has a diameter of 1,200 mm and is manufactured from high-grade cast iron with a hard chrome surface for long service life. The drum is temperature-controlled by a closed-loop water circulation system, which stabilizes the web temperature and minimizes register drift during extended runs. Each print station is equipped with a direct-drive servo motor, a pneumatic sleeve loading system, and a chambered doctor blade unit that accepts ceramic anilox sleeves from 100 to 500 lines per inch. The press runs repeat lengths from 320 mm to 800 mm and handles substrate widths up to 1,250 mm, making it suitable for shrink sleeve labels, stand-up pouches, wrappers, lidding films, and liquid packaging. Material thickness ranges from 12 micron BOPP and PET films to 150 micron paperboard, with an optional corona treater on the unwind for low-surface-energy films such as PE and PP. The unwind and rewind units are designed for 800 mm diameter rolls as standard, with a shaftless hydraulic lifting system and automatic tension control through load cells that maintains web tension within ±1 N across all zones. The drying system includes high-velocity hot air dryers between decks with adjustable slot nozzles, individual temperature control within ±1°C, and a final tunnel dryer with optional UV or LED curing on the last station. The drying hoods are equipped with heat recovery modules that reduce energy consumption by up to 25% compared with conventional designs. Register control is performed by a camera-based system that reads printed micro marks on each color and automatically adjusts both longitudinal and lateral positions to maintain accuracy of ±0.05 mm at 350 m/min. The press is controlled from a central console with a 15-inch HMI touchscreen, recipe storage for up to 500 jobs, and remote diagnostics via Ethernet/IP. Quick-change sleeve technology allows a complete six-color job change in under 20 minutes, and the doctor blade chamber can be removed without tools for cleaning or ink color changes. The press accommodates water-based, solvent-based, and low-migration UV inks, meeting food packaging compliance requirements. Safety features include interlocked guards, light curtains, and category 3 emergency stop circuits, with CE certification as standard. Optional modules for cold foil, lamination, rotary sheeting, and in-line slitting expand the machine’s capability for value-added packaging.

• Print width options: 650 mm, 850 mm, 1,050 mm, and 1,250 mm. The 1,250 mm model supports dual-lane production for narrow labels and multi-up flexible packaging.
• Color stations: 6, 8, or 10 servo-driven decks with rail-mounted positioning. Individual deck retraction allows easy sleeve change and maintenance access without moving other units.
• Mechanical speed: 400 m/min maximum, with stable production speed of 350 m/min on 12 micron PET film.
• Repeat length: 320–800 mm using carbon fiber or aluminum sleeves. Sleeve changes require no gear changes or bearing removal.
• Substrate range: 12–150 micron film, 30–250 gsm paper, and 18–40 micron aluminum foil. Additional corona treatment available for untreated films.
• Registration accuracy: ±0.05 mm at constant speed and ±0.08 mm during acceleration/deceleration, monitored by a camera-based pre-register system.
• Drying capacity: High-velocity hot air dryers adjustable from 40°C to 120°C per deck. Optional UV or LED curing on the final deck for specialty coatings.