MEMPHIS, TN—Cyber Graphics partnered with Flint Group Flexographic Products in the installation of the nyloflex Automated Plate Processor (APP). “We’re always looking ahead to find the latest technical developments,” stated Rick Parker,director of operations andt technology at Cyber Graphics. “Our customers expect us to create value through innovation. That sometimes means finding a better workflow and also investing in new production infrastructure. If we were to start resting on our laurels, that would be the time we’d start falling behind.”
Echoing the need for innovation, Cyber Graphics’ Manufacturing Site Director Edwin Woods was part of a team that oversaw the optimisation of the company’s plate room: “For us, lean manufacturing means getting more from less,” explained Woods. We investigated and streamlined everything from the way raw plate material is brought into the room, how it gets Q.C.’d, and how we ship the finished plates to our customers. We’ve developed proprietary systems, including the automated cut-down and labelling of each plate, along with standard operating procedures and inspection systems to ensure we consistently produce the best quality plates possible. The nyloflex APP System, as a new centrepiece, significantly reduces the handling of the plate and therefore improves standardisation and helps to avoid problems.”
Steve Dearing, manufacturing project leaderreports, “Simply put, the equipment can process a typical 1.7 mm (0.067-in.) plate in about 40 percent less time when compared to other systems. Being able to run 16 plates back-to-back without operator handling and getting finished plates out in record time makes the difference between a job that ships today and a job that sits until tomorrow.”
Flint Group maintains that the high performance processing line has a capacity of up to 120 printing plates / 320 m² per day. Across all tested plates, those processed with the nyloflex APP equipment show a significant reduction of the total processing time of more than 35 percent, compared to stand-alone devices.