Kodak Flexcel NX System Donated to Stuttgart Media University

Official handover of the Kodak Flexcel NX Mid System to Stuttgart Media University (from left to right): Professor Volker Jansen (Stuttgart Media University), Roland Hamacher (division sales manager EAMER, Flexographic Packaging Division, Kodak), Nilgun Turan (marketing manager EAMER, Flexographic Packaging Division, Kodak) and Professor Martin Dreher (DFTA).

ROCHESTER, NYKodak has donated a Kodak Flexcel NX Mid System to Stuttgart Media University. Kodak’s solution for high-performing flexo plate production upgrades the prepress equipment for packaging printing at the internationally renowned higher education institution.

This donation adds to the education and diversity of the practical content of the university’s relatively new, international degree course in print media technologies. Leading to a Bachelor of Engineering, it is conducted in English and attracts applicants from all over the world. The course focuses on future and growth-oriented segments in the print media industry, such as smart printing in a wide range of packaging and industrial applications. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) as well as different variable data printing (digital) technologies and applications are other major elements of the curriculum. Classic commercial printing is covered as well. The curriculum also embraces natural sciences and business basics. All technical courses are supported by a Technology Center, where students can gain practical experience in research, development and production.

“The Flexcel NX System from Kodak will significantly support our efforts to elevate our practical options in packaging printing to the latest technological standard,” said Volker Jansen, academic dean and professor of print media technologies. 

“We want to give students who will be taking on management responsibilities in tomorrow’s global printing industry an opportunity to come into contact with this innovative technology,” said Chris Payne, president, Flexographic Packaging Division and vice president of Kodak. “Kodak sees the donation of the Flexcel NX Systems as a way to foster the course’s quality and industry relevance, giving students and lecturers alike a chance to make flexo plates for premium packaging printing using leading-edge technology.”

The Flexcel NX System installed at the university is equipped with all the latest features including Kodak’s NX Advantage technology—a mechanism for optimizing ink transfer during printing through innovative plate surface patterning. The system can also image thermal film for screen printing stencils and features the Hybrid Option, which means the Flexcel NX Imager can also image thermal plates for offset. Thanks to these capabilities, the Kodak Flexcel NX System will soon replace two other CTP systems at Stuttgart Media University.

The Flexcel NX System in Stuttgart will also be made available to the German Flexographic Technical Association (DFTA)—which shares premises with the university—for test and training purposes. “We were interested in the technology because Kodak’s Flexcel NX System has caused much of a stir in the market and set new benchmarks. In the future, this donation will allow us to demonstrate state-of-the-art flexo plate making in our own Flexo Academy courses,” commented Professor Martin Dreher, scientific director of the DFTA Technology Center and director of the DFTA Flexographic Academy.