On February 6-7 an inaugural Future of Flexo event was hosted at Clemson University’s Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, presented by OMET Americas. The event centered around “New Year, New Technology” and was sponsored by industry print suppliers Eaglewood Technologies, Siegwerk, Phoseon Technology, Nazdar Ink Technologies, DuPont, Techkon, DBT Coatings and Harper Corporation. The two-day event was created to showcase new and innovative opportunities for flexo printers/converters to consider for their 2019 budget spending and overall long-term cost savings. This first event included presentations on everything from the latest OMET press options, like this flexo/digital hybrid press created with Durst, to groundbreaking anilox cleaning techniques, digital flexo plate creation methods, UV LED coating and curing applications, and much more.
“The Future of Flexo event by OMET was a great event to showcase not only cutting-edge products from industry suppliers but also highlighted the amazing work going on at the Sonoco Institute,” commented Peter Mulheran, Vice President and General Manager of Eaglewood Technologies. “To me, this event illustrated the importance of partnering industry events with future influencers. We look forward to contributing at the next event.”
OMET is a long-time partner of the Sonoco Institute having placed one of their Varyflex narrow-web presses in the Institute’s Advanced Print Lab for student education, research and industry training opportunities. OMET’s Future of Flexo program was designed to support university programs, like Clemson University’s Graphic Communications program, involved in training the next wave of leaders in the flexographic printing industry.
“The entire global OMET organization supported and watched this past week via multiple social media outlets, as a dedicated group of industry specialists gathered in Clemson, SC at Clemson University’s Sonoco Institute,” said Ron Hengst, South Eastern Sales Manager for OMET Americas. “Convertors from label and packaging groups as well as local custom shops and even future start-up convertors joined us in reviewing product development and equipment improvement from our ten event partners.”
OMET and the Sonoco Institute will continue to partner on these free open house events. Convertors thinking of where they are going find their next cost savings or quality improvement idea should plan to attend a future event. Sign on to the Sonoco Institute’s email list for future updates. Click here.
Keate Despain, Phoseon Technology, presents “Digital Curing Solutions: The Future Has Arrived.”
John Kilbo, Siegwerk Inks & Coatings, presents “UV LED – Enhancements in Cure Speed for the Narrow Web Printer.”
Bobby Congdon, Clemson University, presents on the Sonoco Institute’s services, capabilities and current research initiatives.
Sean Teufler, Harper Corporation, presents “New Technology and Understanding Coating Applications.”
Ron Hengst, OMET Americas, presents “The Future of Flexo” including OMET press options, capabilities and Varyflex demos.
David Parker, DBT Coatings, presents “Aesthetics, Function, Compliance: Meeting the Customer’s UV Checklist.”
Peter Mulheran, Eaglewood Technologies, presents “The Future is Here – Laser Anilox Cleaning.”
Brad Gasque, DuPont, presents “Trends and Technology” in digital flexo plate making.
