Spartanics, Rolling Meadows, IL, has introduced a new laser cutting system targeting wider formats for label, packaging, carton board, and abrasive applications for a range of materials, including polyester, polycarbonate, polypropylene, metalized and paper.
The L-500 Laser Cutting System is specifically designed for rolls or sheets of converting material from wide format printers, with capabilities up to 500-600mm wide. Spot size is 220 μm in a 500mm cutting field, with throughput speeds up to 80 m/min. The dual-head finishing system includes the company's laser control software. Also included are UV coating stations, lamination, slitting and sheeting options. Sealed CO2 supplies are used to power lasers as opposed to open delivery systems, to minimize costs and avoid quality issues.
Most of Spartanics' label and packaging machines work with digital printing and flexo systems with 210-350 mm standard sizes, notes Mike Bacon, VP of sales and marketing. "Expanding width requirements in the packaging sector as well as more innovative solutions from digital printing companies have pushed us to develop a wider format laser converting solution."
Laser cutting is one extension of a "lean manufacturing" philosophy being adopted by label and packaging manufacturers, to eliminate tooling investments, reduce scrap metal, and cut down on prepress and production line changeover times. Addressing these goals, the L-500 automates optimization of web speed, eliminating quality issues in applications requiring stitching cuts from two laser sources, and enables job changeovers on the fly.