SOMA hosts 5^th global flexo challenges conference

Czech Republic based SOMA, producer of flexographic printing presses, slitter rewinders and laminators in May hosted the 5^th Flexo Challenges Conference at the SOMA Globe, Training and Technology Centre in Lanskroun, Czech Republic.

More than 90 representatives from the flexographic printing industry travelled from as far as Singapore, Mexico, Russian, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to view the latest flexographic printing technologies and hear about developing trends.

The conference provided an opportunity for networking and debate with speakers consisting of leading figures in the industry showcasing interesting case studies and providing smart solutions for printers.

Petr Blasko from SOMA opened the conference with a keynote speech on the
efficient and absolute stability of print. This was followed by presentations from:

• Dr. Joelle Bédat and Marcel de Groot of Flint Group on Comprehensive Products and Expertise in Flexographic Printing
• Kai Lankinen of Marvaco on How to make HiQ Expanded Gamut to Brand Packaging
• Michael Franz of Sandon Global on Innovation in Anilox-Technologie
• Jacek Galinski of Kodak on how to Maximize your CI Press ROI through Innovations in Flexo Plate Technology.

In addition, live demonstrations took place of the Optima and Optima² printing presses. The various short run features were shown when changing four different jobs, including complete press wash up and SOMA's new solvent and pressurised air saving module.

The Soma Flex Optima produced a Kenya motive CMYK + white job as well as an EGP Marvaco job – a joint project with Expanded Gamut Technology showing excellent print results of the various co-printed brand owner designs using Flint Group printing plates and inks.

Soma Flex Optima² produced a ‘bouncing challenge’ job, showcasing the press print stability and its Advanced Bounce Control system at 500 m/min. It also produced a Reproflex Scandinavia wine design – demonstrating capabilities of the Kodak NX printing plate technology showing difficult vignette fading to zero.

Petr Blasko, Marketing Manager of SOMA said: “The Flexo Challenges Conference this year covered a broad variety of topics, including fixed pallet EGP, gravure to flexo conversion, bouncing challenges and short runs. The success of the event demonstrates that flexo technology is profitable, efficient as well as a sustainable solution for the future of package printing.”

SOMA would like to thank its technology partners, namely Flint Group, Marvaco, Sandon Global, Kodak, Reproflex Scandinavia, Twinlock, Chespa and Lohmann for their great support and for pushing the boundaries of flexo technology still further.