“Having an eye for detail when it comes to equipment specification is critical,” says Chesapeake Belfast’s engineering manager Jim Ewings. “It is better to get the press ancillaries right from the start rather than to go back and be bolting things on at a later stage.”

It is for this reason the company elected to take four products from technotrans, ancillaries that would enable them to maximise process control, minimise waste and enhance the quality of the pharmaceutical cartons produced on the company’s latest  Komori LS640 press.

Because the press can run both UV and conventional inks Chesapeake Belfast chose the ink.mate agitator which prevents skinning, and by implication minimising the risk of quality impairment and reducing ink waste. The beta.f filtration system keeps the dampening solution clean and cuts the level of chemistry required and the associated disposal costs.

“Waste is a key issue for us in terms of our environmental strategy but also because with spiralling consumables costs optimising usage is critical in today’s market,” says Mr Ewings.”today it’s makeready by numbers and having process control and reliability is important in our effort to provide our customers with the very best results at speed.”

The company has also installed a beta.c 220 circulator which controls the temperature of the inking and dampening and also an alpha.v varnish dispensing system, enabling measured application for an optimum finish.  

“technotrans has always supported us well and their products are always evolving. We’re looking closely at their new humidification systems which could also provide a tool for keeping bothstaff and paper stocks in optimum performance conditions."