2006-02-03: technotrans at Ipex 2006 in Birmingham: Focus on economic efficiency
and conservation of resources
Sassenberg/Colchester, February 3, 2006

At this year's Ipex, technotrans AG - a leading system supplier for offset printing equipment with headquarters in Sassenberg, Germany - will present a host of new products and systems. One of the highlights is the new blanket washing systems product range, the contex.c which is now ready for serial production. technotrans has doubled its capacities at the German Gersthofen factory near Augsburg with a total investment of about 6 million Euro in new buildings for this new product segment introduced in 2005.

Based on the well-known requirements of existing blanket washing systems, technotrans has implemented a whole new range of special features and functionalities during the development and design of the contex.c. As a result, this unit considerably improves the overall performance of washing processes in the printing press compared to other systems already available on the market.

The main focus of attention was the operational safety and the increase in press productivity, i.e. an extension of the press up-time. Compared to other systems available on the market, this is achieved mainly by short washing cycles and the use of considerably longer wash rolls. This extends the blanket replacement intervals.

At drupa 2004, the contex.c was presented to a small sample of customers. At the Ipex 2006, it will now make its first appearance before an international audience after its successful completion of numerous field tests.

Another innovation that will be presented by technotrans is the beta.c eco combination unit from the new beta.c modular product range. The beta.line series continues to be extremely successful in dampening solution circulation and ink unit temperature control for medium to large-format sheet-fed offset printing applications. The beta.c eco combination unit has been revised and equipped with several impressive special features in order to meet the requirements of a high level of economic efficiency and the environmentally friendly use of resources.

During the development, the main emphasis was put on optimising the consumption of energy, reducing consumables and extending the service life of the filters. As a result, the beta.c eco unit has a high cost-saving potential. The main components of the modular beta.c eco unit are a free cooling function and power-controlled components. These and other technological innovations ensure that the beta.c eco unit can cover only the actual power requirement of the printing press.

"The main reason for trying to reduce the use of alcohol at the printing companies is the cost", says Peter Benton, head of the Colchester/UK subsidiary of technotrans. "Prices for IPA have been rising continuously over the last year. Every reduction in use has a high cost-saving potential. The beta.c eco combined with the alcosmart AZR and the beta.f fine filtration used in a bypass is not only a highly professional basis for alcohol reduction but also helps to reduce costs in many other areas like, for example, the energy consumption. Apart from this, at present the maximum proportion of IPA in the dampening solution allowed in the UK is 5%. For the EU, this restriction still does not go far enough. We believe that there will be further restrictions in the future".

The beta.c eco can be combined directly with the beta.f dampening solution fine filtration unit. This unit cleans the dampening solution continuously and efficiently in a bypass connection to the tank of the beta.c eco unit. It relies on a two-step filtration method. The pre-filter system with its filter cartridges is used to thoroughly pre-clean the dampening solution and to relieve the strain on the main filter module. The main filter is used for intensive cleaning using a powerful deep-bed filter. The quality of the filter modules is continuously monitored by integrated pressure sensors. The beta.f unit helps the press operator to keep the dampening solution and the entire system, from the dampening solution tank to the trays of the printing units, permanently clean. With the beta.f unit, the dampening solution replacement intervals can be greatly extended or replacement even becomes unnecessary. This leads to lower purchasing, disposal and operating costs and ensures maximum press availability.

At Ipex, the beta.f system will be presented as described and combined with the beta.c eco system. Due to its bypass operation, it can also be easily retrofitted to all existing dampening solution circulators made by technotrans.

The company will also present another innovation in Birmingham: the new microspray.compact spray dampening unit. This product has been completely revised and is ideal for applications with limited space conditions. Despite the space-saving design, no compromise was made in terms of functionality and performance. The microspray.compact unit achieves a particularly high level of operational safety, due to the completely modified design and material of the nozzles. The spray chamber and the nozzle rail are made of stainless steel, which is strong enough to withstand even the roughest conditions, ensuring its high level of unrestricted performance over the years. Additionally, its compact design means that very few components need to be modified if the unit has to be adapted to different paper web widths.

technotrans will also present solutions for small-format offset printing applications on its stand at Ipex 2006 like, including washing agent recycling solutions and several new dosing products.

The proven alpha.line dampening solution circulation and ink unit temperature control series for small to medium-format offset printing will be presented using a model of the alpha.d system with a completely new design. In addition to that, the latest standard in automatic ink supply for sheet-fed offset printing, the ink.line system, will be presented. The system is now equipped with an automatic lid, significantly improving cartridge exchange and reducing operator intervention.

Meet technotrans at Ipex from the 4th - 11th of April 2006: Hall 5, Stand E20

These press releases contain forward-looking statements which are based on assumptions and estimations by the management board of technotrans AG. Even though the management board is of the opinion, that those assumptions and estimations are realistic the future development and the projected results may deviate substantially from the forward-looking statements. Those deviations can be due to several factors including but not limited to changes in the macro-economic situation, in the exchange rates, in the interest rates and in the graphic arts industry. technotrans AG gives no warranty and does not assume the liability for any damages in case the future development and the projected results do not correspond with the forward looking statements.