CS Labels has taken delivery of its fourth Xeikon CX3 label press, ahead of installing the new CX500 as the first UK beta site for the 520mm wide high speed electrophotographic press.
The new machine has replaced a Xeikon CX500, leaving CS Labels with one 3500 and four of the higher speed CX3 presses. With the arrival of the CX500, the company will have two of the wider machines.
However, delivery of the beta machine has been put back until Q2, says managing director Simon Smith. “It had been due in Q1, but has been put back three months,” he says. Instead of delivery before the Xeikon Café, this means that the machine will arrive after the event at the end of March.
The Wivenhall company had pioneered the CX3 technology, installing the first beta press when known as the Cheetah. This time CS Labels will be the second beta site after a company in Holland.
It is also trialling the Xeikon Digital Dashboard, a tablet based view over production status of the business. Its testing is not restricted to the press supplier. CS Labels is also testing a productivity pack upgrade for the its GM DC330 converting line. The GM technology, like the newest Xeikon products, is Industry 4.0 ready, something that will open up additional opportunities for the business.
And this is the start, Smith says: “I am delighted that 2018 is already a groundbreaking year. However I also look forward to us making more announcement in the coming months.”
The company has been printing films for production of pouches and more recently has been printing on films for flow wrap applications as well as self adhesive labels, aiming at short run packaging applications.
The CX500 was introduced at Labelexpo in September last year. It takes the 30m/min throughput of the CX3 and applies to a wider format. It prints five colours across 520mm web at 1200dpi. It also features a new user interface and is prepped for Industry 4.0 connectivity and operation. Thanks to the extra width it will be 47% more productive on self adhesive label printing than the CX3.
Xeikon introduced the CX500, announcing that CS Labels would be one of the first beta sites. That press has now been delayed a few weeks, but in the meantime the west midlands printer has taken delivery of its fourth CX3 high speed toner press.
