The press was originally supplied in 2002 with a standard VCP UV system from GEW. In 2004 the need to print and convert heat sensitive films arose and Drukkerij Dejonghe needed a solution that would enable the company to meet customer demands.
States Alexis Dejonghe, Managing Director, “ The original solution we were asked to consider involved removing all the existing UV lamp heads and replacing them with a completely different UV system that incorporated water cooled chill rolls. Since this meant substantial costs and a time-consuming process with associated lost production, we approached GEW for an alternative.”
According to Marcus Greenbrook of GEW, “The solution Drukkerij Dejonghe sought was quite straight-forward and already available. As a UV supplier it is important that we read market demands and adapt to changes. We had already foreseen the demand for unsupported film applications and developed the VCP FILM upgrade for label presses already out there in the field. The cost and time needed to engineer, assemble and test has already been accomplished so we can offer printers with existing GEW systems on their presses a cost effective solution for high performance film applications that includes full service support and our usual warranty. The upgrade involved keeping the original VCP UV curing module and adding components comprised of a water-cooled cylinder with two turn rollers. This simply required the addition of some water hose and a modest refrigeration unit. All of the original components were unchanged and kept in place providing a low cost up-grade”.
Adds Mr. Dejonghe, “The standard VCP system supplied with the press has always performed well but when faced with the growing market demand for wrap around labels and sleeves we needed an effective alternative. The VCP FILM solution was cost effective and the installation was completed quickly and effectively by GEW with very little production down time. The system is well engineered and the performance speaks for itself, with the same temperature of material going into lamp number 1 as it does exiting lamp number 7. Since the installation, we have run film materials without any shrinking or distortion and without any registration problems.”