January 23, 2024
Baldwin Investments in Curing, Drying, and Plate-Cleaning Technologies
Delivering by a “Wide Margin” for Clients
2023 witnessed Baldwin Technologies finding wide adoption across the corrugated industry, thanks to the company’s ongoing investments in the latest curing, drying, and plate-cleaning technologies—epitomized by its Ultra Wide FlexoCleanerBrush™ and FlexoDry Infrared Drying System.
Boxmaker needs for higher production, improved quality, and reduced downtime, with a focus on wide-format settings, continue to drive their competitiveness and profitability.
“Our investments continue to pay off handsomely for clients as they navigate challenging labor markets, the drive for improved quality to compete, and the need to find productivity gains across the operations,” said Craig Black, Vice President of Sales, Baldwin. “Wide-format applications and equipment especially benefit from our technology advancements.”
Baldwin’s flagship Ultra Wide FlexoCleanerBrush continues its winning ways. The fully automated flexo plate-cleaning system can be deployed up to 126 inches (3.2 meters) wide and is highly regarded for optimized print quality and improved worker safety in corrugated printing. It automatically removes dust and contamination from the plate in seconds during production without stopping the press. It also performs complete end-of-job plate cleaning and drying in four minutes or less, meaning increased uptime, reduced consumables spend, and the potential for truckloads of additional capacity each year.
Fully automatic and spanning the entire width of the plate cylinder, the FlexoCleanerBrush improves safety by eliminating routine operator contact thereby reducing the risk of operator contact with wash agents and cylinder nip injuries. The carbon-fiber core ensures a stable, uniform, and consistent flexo plate cleaning throughout the whole width of the plate, keeping the system to a minimal weight.
The company’s FlexoDry Infrared (IR) drying system is proving impressive results. Maximized press throughput, boosted production speeds, and reduced energy consumption result from the system’s focused IR radiation thanks to its Diamond lamps, which employ unique ceramic reflectors, directing all light to the substrate—resulting in 30% energy savings when compared with other IR lamps.
Finally, the XP Max LED-UV system rounds out Baldwin’s advanced portfolio. It is engineered to cure wide substrates moving past it on a corrugated rotary die cutter, manufacturing conveyor belt, or printing press. XP Max uses myriad 20-inch (508 mm) modules, forming a continuous UV curing array that spans any required press or conveyor width, as compared to a long commodity LED array.
Its LED modules are installed at an angle to allow for overlap of the LED emitting area, substantially reducing energy and downtime while improving operational safety. LED-UV technology instantly cures ink instantly and virtually eliminates drying time, using less energy than either IR or arc UV. Additionally, its modules can be turned off and on to cover specific conveyor areas.
Another reason this new approach is gaining wide adoption is that it enables discrete maintenance, allowing the removal of a single module without needing to shut down the full system for repairs. LED window temperatures are significantly cooler than both traditional IR and arc UV, enhancing worker safety and reducing fire risk when corrugated substrates fall onto lamp heads.
“Beyond our technology leadership, Baldwin’s commitment to customer focus pushes us to provide optimized service and support, and we continue to invest in additional resources and training in that part of our business,” said Black.
To “Go Wide” with Baldwin: baldwintech.com.
