ADVANCED ENGRAVING TECHNOLOGY FROM CAE

Caption: Service with a smile – Tony Rich, founder and CEO of Ceramic Anilox Engravers, is pictured with P&PM’s Karen Stretch, Glywnnis Wells and Susi Moore during their recent visit to CAE’s impressive factory in Durban North.

As part of CAE’s ‘go-green’ social responsibility programme, its new P-Coat system and the advanced Pegasus technology also provides customers with a more environmentally-friendly product.

Pegasus uses CMX, an advanced volumetric measuring device used to calculate volumes for measuring, that ensures accurate volume charts and optimal ink transfer. By utilising shallow-anilox-cell geometry, custom designed by CAE using its 3D laser engraving sealed-beam system, printers can obtain improved volumetric transfer from anilox to plate. The high-quality 3D profiler ensures customised cell geometry to give optimal (min-max) volumes a 100% working relationship, providing improved ink release.

The Pegasus coating powder and the P-Coat system produce a denser coating and a pre-engraving surface finish of 0,3 Ra, compared to CAE’s standard Cerflex anilox technology that produces a 0,9 Ra surface measurement.  

This surface finish, in conjunction with the 3D laser technology, allows CAE to create perfect cell geometry – providing what Tony describes as ‘the very best anilox cell configuration and a huge advancement in anilox technology’.

During the engraving process the Pegasus system produces 0% recast, meaning improved blade life and consistent cell structure, and the bedding-in process is said to be faster and more economical. Also, owing to the shallow-cell-geometry and the advanced Ra surface finishes, Pegasus anilox cells are easy to clean.
‘In short, cleaning and maintenance of anilox rollers has never been easier than with CAE’s advanced ink transfer and 99,9% smooth cell wall profile,’ Tony stresses.

Caption: A clear difference in cell wall and geometry structure can be seen above. The Y-profile (left), is a standard anilox engraving profile; the P-profile (right) is Pegasus 3D engraving technology, showing 0% recast and wider cell configuration.

Fast response and turnaround

The Pegasus technology is produced faster than any other technology on offer by CAE, offering advanced turnaround times on orders – while standard coating lead times are approximately 10 to 15 days, the Pegasus technology takes a maximum of five days.

According to Tony’s son, Paul Rich, technical and marketing manager of CAE, the company’s specialised coating methods also surpass imported rolls, as does its competitive pricing and local technical support.

‘We’ve had fantastic response from our customers since launching Pegasus,’ states Paul. ‘Ink savings are potentially huge, even as much as 25%. As a local producer we’re ahead of the game.’

However, he explains, it’s also a matter of good housekeeping and education. If a printer can maintain a regular cleaning programme on anilox equipment, and educate operators on correct handling and care, then cell life can be maintained for longer.

With over 20 years’ experience in ceramic coatings and ten years’ experience in laser engraving, CAE has always been at the heart of coating technology in South Africa. It has become a trusted name among the flexographic printing industry, manufacturing and refurbishing a wide variety of high-quality anilox rolls, sleeves and other ancillary products. Its range of engraving and coating technology options includes CerFlex Plus, ISO Cell, Freeflow, Custom Cell,
Multi-Hit and Single, to name but a few.

CAE was the first anilox manufacturer in the world to achieve an ISO 9002 accreditation, and all products are produced in accordance with the ISO quality system.   

‘It’s time to tell everyone that we’re ready with Pegasus,’ Tony Rich concludes.

‘It’s a first-class engraving technology with a price benefit, which is very important to many customers.’

Ceramic Anilox Engravers
T +27 031 5691066