A world leader in the flexographic, gravure and hybrid digital technology printing presses segment, Uteco has always been recognised globally for the enduring value of its machines, such as the Onyx range, the world’s best-selling flexographic press with more than 650 units installed and operating for more than 15 years.
2022 was a year full of news for Uteco, and 2023 will hold much more. The path of technological evolution continues at a rapid pace, following two main directions: sustainability and automation of the printing process.
The starting point of this new research path in 2022 was the launch of Onyx Go, the most innovative flexographic printing press for short runs on the market. Onyx Go is Uteco’s answer to customers’ demands for production efficiency and reduction of energy consumption: in fact, the machine is equipped with digital solutions capable of collecting data from printing subjects determining the optimal process conditions, self-adapting each time.
This massively collected data is then processed and used by all machine components to optimise each step, generating a true printing efficiency process. In this way, the drying power of the printed colours self-adjusts according to the type of printed subject and the inking pumps dose the colour intelligently. The result is a reduction of more than 50% percent in energy consumption and consumables such as plastics, inks and solvents, which can generate savings for customers of more than AUD157,000 each year. Considering a machine life of more than 15 years, Uteco reckons it can confidently state that the new Onyx Go is free!
Nominated for numerous international innovation and design awards, Onyx Go is controlled by a single touch screen interface, adjustable according to the operator’s height, that resembles a real smartphone. The entire machine is studied and designed around the needs of the operator by marrying the concept of social sustainability, supporting ergonomics and ensuring maximum operator safety during printing operations.
The true meaning of sustainability
Uteco’s machines are designed to reduce their polluting emissions and cut down on ever-increasing energy costs. For this reason, the company has developed Active Pack, a package of cutting-edge technologies to ensure a more sustainable and cost-effective printing process for customers.
Active Pack includes three different technologies: Active Dry, Active Ink and Active Start. With these technologies, Uteco customers can achieve energy consumption savings of up to 50 % thereby reducing costs and improving the sustainability of the printing process.
Specifically, Active Dry enables a reduction in the amount of energy required to dry the ink on the surface of the material being printed. This allows for greater energy efficiency and shorter production times.
Active Ink, on the other hand, makes it possible to reduce ink and solvent consumption. Through better management of the printing process, greater efficiency in the use of these materials can be achieved, thereby reducing costs and improving environmental sustainability.
Finally, Active Start makes it possible to reduce machine start-up times, thus improving the efficiency of the production process and reducing manufacturing costs, as well as wasted printed material during the start-up phase.
Together, these technologies guarantee Uteco’s customers savings of more than AUD157,000 per year, making the investment in a machine equipped with Active Pack extremely cost-effective.
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Onyx Go, Uteco’s innovative flexographic printing press for short runs
