With its advanced technology, competitive pricing and local technical support, CAE, as a locally based producer, is considered ahead of the game. ‘We have always promoted good business practices,’ states Paul Rich, technical director. ‘We make sure we react quickly to market trends and provide what our customers want, whether they’re small or large enterprises. Quality is paramount and we always endeavour to lead.’
This year, CAE is spreading its wings and linking with international partners, to obtain a larger market share in Europe, the US and South America, and to share its leading technologies and expertise. ‘We’ve already built a strong business relationship with partners in India and, as part of our global expansion plan, we’ll continue to explore new markets outside Africa,’ explains Paul. ‘This doesn’t mean we’ll be taking our “eye off the ball” locally. In fact, we have some exciting, innovative tools that we’re introducing to South African customers, to help with process efficiency, accuracy and maintenance.’
CAE has again invested in the latest, most advanced laser engraving equipment available, to offer customers the very best quality. Its new Meridian Hercules laser engraving system will be the first laser of its type in the southern hemisphere. This new generation laser technology not only produces standard cell geometries from 60 to 2 000lpi, but is also able to produce an assortment of alternative cell configurations ensuring further scope for future anilox development.
CAE’s Meridian Hercules anilox laser engraving system is a 500W fibre laser system with the latest multi-beam for anilox engraving incorporating two- or three-beam modes with advanced laser engraving technology and bypass modes for pulsed laser operations.
‘We’ll always offer our customers more than they’re expecting,’ pronounces Paul. ‘As well as investment in the advanced Meridian Hercules laser engraving system, we’re busy with final R&D on the Pegasus Plus range of engraving applications, to create customised cell configurations, and alternate engraving applications. This we hope to launch into relevant market segments by 2012. It’s all very exciting!’
Pioneering prepress tools
The innovations don’t stop there. CAE has also pioneered the Anilox Inspection System; a microscopic cell inspection equipment to help operators accurately inspect anilox cell geometry, and inspect print, blades, paper and media. According to Paul, it’s a cost-effective tool for on-the-press inspection. ‘The Anilox Inspection System incorporates two Dino-Lite microscopes that give a high magnification from 20x to 500x; it provides a precise visual representation of cell geometry and allows the operator or print management to see if anilox cells are dirty, damaged or clean. With the ability to take photos and video via an Apple Air Mac laptop, this offers access to “preventive maintenance” and gives operators and print management “the eyes” to view a host of print inspection configurations such as anilox cells, plate, print dot size and shape, to name just a few applications this system can be used for,’ Paul explains. ‘As a prepress tool it’s ideal. It will help enormously in reducing downtime and improving print quality. It’s linked directly to CAE, via a remote log-in, so product inspection can be viewed in real-time, anytime.’
CAE has developed the Anilox Inspection System in collaboration with international partners and it’s available for R33 000, excluding VAT. According to Paul, this is a significant saving on other inspection tools currently available in the market. He also confirms that new features will be added soon, and that these upgrades are supplied free. Customers wishing to get an overview of CAE’s technologies and services can access its revamped, easy to navigate flash website (www.caepty.co.za), which incorporates clear graphics with key points on every aspect of its engraving and coating portfolio including CerFlex Plus, ISO Cell, Freeflow, Pegasus, Custom Cell, Multi-Hit and Single, and more.
These latest developments in CAE’s repertoire will come as no surprise to regular customers. Since it was established in 1998, CAE 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. It has earned this status by finding opportunities to continually improve its performance, and offer its customers only the best, world-class solutions. To lead, not follow, is certainly a fitting company ethos.
Ceramic Anilox Engravers
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