BW Converting’s print and packaging technology brands Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC) and Baldwin Technology are bringing label converters a comprehensive suite of technologies to tackle key industry challenges at Labelexpo Americas 2024. 

Leading the PCMC lineup, the ION hybrid press blends the efficiency of flexographic printing with the precision and customizable features characteristic of digital printing, with full modularity and customizable digital CMYK and flexographic print stations.

It’s designed to handle record-breaking speeds of up to 120 m/m with web widths of 915, 1,056 and 1,320 mm for paper, film and folding carton. This translates to output capacity of up to 161 square meters per minute, representing an 800% surge in productivity compared to current digital presses.

Also in the spotlight will be the Meridian Elite laser anilox roll cleaner is known for its safe and rapid cleaning capabilities, requiring no water, heat, chemicals, or air supply. It ensures optimal print performance by effectively deep-cleaning all types of printing and coating rolls.

PCMC’s Fusion wide web flexographic press series features energy- and time-saving advancements such as automatic drum cleaning and impression setting. These features reduce downtime and improve overall efficiency.

Rounding out the PCMC label technologies presented at Labelexpo is the ELS MAX inline flexographic printing press, designed for rapid changeovers, minimizing waste and setup time, which contributes to a more streamlined production process.

“We’re excited to be exhibiting at Labelexpo, allowing us to showcase many of our latest developments and innovations to position label converters throughout the industry to excel in an increasingly complex environment,” states Rodney Pennings, PCMC’s director of sales, print. “From our latest innovations in digital printing to advances in our flexo presses and anilox cleaners we have a lot of new technology to share and look forward to demonstrating how it can save time, costs and resources, boost quality, and simplify operation for a new generation of employees.”

The new PQV 4.0 process-optimization tool from Baldwin enhances the inspection process with its highly automated, intuitive wizard-driven user experience, reducing the risk of human error and improving accuracy. PQV 4.0 can detect errors and faults with micrometer precision and provides a detailed report for correcting the mistakes. With an average 1.5-year return on investment, the system reduces waste by $30,000 per year for typical narrow web printers through reduced inline defects, less overproduction and lowered customer claims.

At Labelexpo, Baldwin is also presenting the Corona SlimLine surface treatment solution, which effectively bonds ink onto plastics, making it ideal for label printing and narrow web applications. The compact system provides maximum power and the ideal electrode setting, along with comfortable and ergonomic handling, operation, and cleaning.

Finally, sharing the spotlight, the new Baldwin Unity LED curing system, designed for various presses and finishing equipment, maximizes performance while reducing power consumption by 60% compared to traditional curing methods. Unity LED delivers UV energy with uniformity, made possible by advanced quartz optics that collimate the UV light, which sustains higher UV intensity at distances further from the lamphead versus competitive products.

“We are excited to be at Labelexpo as we continue to expand our presence in the narrow web market,” says Craig Black, vice president of sales for Baldwin, Americas.  “Everything we do is focused around automation to help improve productivity in print, and our portfolio of products touches every part of the print process – from substrate surface treatment, to curing what is printed, to helping measure color and detect defects and more. Make sure to stop by and meet the team and find out about our most recent product releases.”