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Asahi announces launch of AWP-DEW 4260 PLF

Asahi Photoproducts has announced the availability of its next-generation larger format water-wash flexographic plate processor, the AWP-DEW 4260 PLF. The machine is the first water-wash processor of its kind with an automated process from plate wash-out to the UV finished plate including plate processing, rinsing, drying and UV post exposure within one system.

“Exclusively focusing on using the new AWP-DEW plate with this processor allows us to reduce the environmental footprint of the platemaking process by reducing the content of additives in the washout solution. It also allows us to speed-up the time for each plate coming out of the line dramatically,” said Dieter Niederstadt, technical marketing manager at Asahi.

This processor follows up Asahi’s 1116PD processor with new features, including:

• Integrated plate punching system for pin bar
• Integrated air knife after plate rinsing unit to dry the plate
• Higher post-exposure uniformity with inline UVA and UVC light finishing
• Filter unit is located inside the machine with easy roll-out operator access
• New machine maintenance concept including low maintenance pumps and easy pipe layout
• Water safety tray located on the side frame without the need to clean leaked solution
• Asahi remote human machine interface (HMI) access and optional smart glass support system (future option)
• Optimized machine footprint at 6112 x 2070 x 1295 mm (smaller vs. separate units)

The system is designed to be able to use two standard formats at approximately three to five plates per hour, either 1200 x 900 mm (48 x 36 inch) or 1067 x 1524 mm (42 x 60 inch), which provides flexibility. In addition, the product is an automated combination of washer-dryer-light finishing, providing the opportunity for reduction of operator hands-on requirements and any potential associated errors.

For customers with a separate light finisher, the AWP-DEW 4260 PLF processor is available without the light finisher function. This processor combination is the first incremental system of its kind and also includes an improved UVA/UVC inline post exposure uniformity, versus offline systems with light finishing drawer.

“The difference this functionality makes is unbelievable; pictures can explain so much more than words. A typical support interaction with a customer which took me hours of travel time in the past can now pin point the detailed problem in no time, allowing us to either fix the problem immediately or at least send the exact needed spare part to the customer, said Alex Downes, Asahi service engineer. “If we didn’t have the appropriate part with us on a traditional service call, that often required an additional visit, leading to more cost and potentially a longer down time. Now everything can be done quickly and in one step, often eliminating the need for any travel at all and getting the customer up and running quickly.”

The product also has a modem communication link on all machines to the processor’s human machine interface (HMI), allowing Asahi’s technical support team to connect with the machine from any location to provide maintenance support. Asahi has also introduced a remote smart glass support concept as a future option on all systems.

Niederstadt added that following the announcement of the AWP-DEW 4260 PLF at Labelexpo Europe in 2019, the first prototype machine was installed at a flexible packaging printer/converter. This provided the company with nine months of testing to bring the product to market, alongside the AWP-DEW plate.

AWP-DEW digital flexo plates can be used with UV, EB, water-based and solvent-based inks and help ease the transition to Fixed Colour Palette printing. Asahi says they also deliver improved plate lifetime on press