FTA Names Winners of 2013 Technical Innovation Award

GMG, Berry Plastics and Mark Andy, Inc. take top honors

Flexographic Technical Association named three companies winners of its prestigious 2013 Technical Innovation Award. GMG placed top in the prepress-graphics category, while Berry Plastics and Mark Andy, Inc., were the honorees in the heavy machinery classification. Winners were announced at the Annual Awards Banquet that took place Sunday, April 28 during FTA’s 2013 Annual Forum in San Diego, CA.

GMG’s OpenColor

Proofs that accurately simulate a printed result—flexographers and their consumer product company (CPC) customers have been asking for them, if not insisting on their development for years.

With that objective in mind, GMG color specialists set out to develop a computer-based tool that precisely predicts the color appearance of printed inks, particularly “overprints”– inks printed on top of each other. The resultant technology, OpenColor, allows the previously unattainable ability to let a proof accurately simulate a printed result. The benefits are numerous: it reduces time to market, cuts make-ready preparation and expenses, and eliminates unnecessary fingerprints. At the same time, it improves the color communication and approval process between all supply chain partners, and verifies color expectations...read more

Berry Plastics’ Indirect Flexo

Flexo is forging forward and moving into the high quality, formed 3-D rigid container and drink cup market. In the process, it is creating an identity as an alternative to dry offset printing. And, its new—some say revolutionary—“indirect flexo” (IDF) hybrid process is even winning conversions from in-mold labels, shrink sleeves, heat transfer labels, and pressure sensitive labels. The attraction: lower costs, consistent output, reduced press downtime, and clear, crisp, package print.

Leading the charge is Berry Plastics’ patent-pending modified approach to producing excellent photographic quality graphics--on white, clear, and colored substrates--with softer edges and better highlights...read more

Mark Andy’s QCDC Stations

Simplicity…Speed…Ergonomics—when every second counts, bottlenecks must be removed; productivity must be enhanced; accuracy and consistency must be guaranteed; and converting capacity cannot be curtailed.

Engineers at Mark Andy, Inc. embraced these critical premises in developing Quick Change Die Cut (QCDC) technology. Introduced in September 2012, the design of the new die cut station promotes faster changeovers and enhances matrix stripping speeds. Early field reports attest to:

Orchestration of some die changes in as fast as 30 seconds
Speed increases of up to 50 percent on the most difficult jobs
Longer die life
Limited die damage in the loading/unloading process
Faster set up times that support the opportunity to take on more jobs and generate significant increases in incremental revenue...read more

The Technical Innovation Award recognizes companies and/or individuals whose visions and perseverance bring new products and technologies to the flexographic marketplace. For more than 15 years FTA has been rewarding those those creative thinkers and risk-takers who seek ways to further refine and advance the flexographic printing process and who bring significant contributions to the industry in terms of adoption, change, and competitive posture. Join the prestigious list of past winners and be recognized as an innovator.