Heidelberg to showcase new Gallus Labelfire

A prototype, new-generation Gallus label press is expected to pull in around 1,000 visitors when it is unveiled in a few weeks' time.

The machine goes on show at special open days in Switzerland running from 20 to 22 September, hosted by Heidelberg UK’s Gallus specialists.

The new flexo press is based on a new platform that in future could be configured to a customer’s needs in level of automation or the web width.

Gallus will launch the first series with a width of 440mm. The modular platform means everything from basic models to fully equipped versions can be configured to varying degrees of automation.

With its maximum speed of 200m/min and short set-up times, the presses are billed as the fastest narrow-web machines that Gallus has ever built.

Southern sales manager Peter Tiany said: “It will be highly efficient, productive and go a bit wider than our other kit. We already go wider then 300mm but not necessarily with kit this productive. “Our sales guys have no brochures or pricing details, so we can't yet give cost information; that will all be revealed in September.

“But it will be aimed at the mainstream market: Gallus has a reputation for being at the premium high-end market and we want to pitch it in the Nilpeter and Mark Andy bracket.”

Engineers paid particular attention to achieving the highest possible level of productivity using features such as precise register accuracy, regardless of speed.

The kit boasts straightforward operation even at low levels of automation, a very short web path from printing unit to printing unit and easy changeovers, according to Heidelberg.

The first deliveries of these new machines are scheduled for the second quarter of 2017, according to Gallus UK, which is now located within the Heidelberg UK HQ in Brentford.

“Innovation days are always popular but we believe this time the new machine platform and other machine innovations will bring people in to the show,” added Tiany.

Machines being shown include the Gallus Labelfire 340 and Heidelberg Omnifire 250 digital models. Also on show will be the Gallus ECS 340 equipped with GEW’s Rhino LED UV drying.

The Gallus RCS 430 meanwhile will feature Metallic Doming, a Gallus combination printing process based on rotary screen printing and which operates on a variety of substrates.

Consumables and service products include the new Gallus Rotascreen Screeny A-line screen product family and the Screeny 'Highspeed' product range, which is said to enable screen label printers to operate more productively.

Gallus sells the self-adhesive twin-lock cylinders for flexo applications, allowing printers to mount plates time after time without reapplying double-sided adhesive.

Gallus partners at the innovation days include Martin Automatic, Rotometrics, Flint Group, GEW, Gietz, Polymount, Siegwerk and various substrate suppliers.

Guided tours will take visitors to the live demonstrations every half an hour and food and drink will be available free of charge to visitors.

Label printers interested in attending can register and get more information here.