Finishing & Screen Printing

Close collaboration between Gallus and Schmid Rhyner for digital coating

Wednesday 29. May 2019 - The three companies Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG, Steinemann Technologie AG and Schmid Rhyner AG have already been working together closely for several years. Gallus, known for its label printing machinery, integrates the Steinemann DEU (Digital Embellishment Unit) into its Labelfire 340 (width 340 mm).

This enables top level refinement of digital print products. Here, the core is the module from Steinemann, the tradition-steeped manufacturer of inline and offline varnishing units for the graphics industry. The decisive varnishes for digital refinement, which are aligned for use on the machine, are manufactured by Schmid Rhyner, the leading Swiss manufacturer and developer of the patented diVar technology. The partnership between these three companies has brought digital varnishing a whole new dimension using inkjet technology.
Schmid Rhyner already had its diVar technology for digital refinement patented back in 2002. In 2011, Steinemann integrated this technology in its offline machine dmax, which was introduced to the market in 2014. This optimally matched system (coating/machine) was supplemented with digital foil embossing (dfoil) in 2017, further increasing market acceptance.
Gallus recognised the advantages of this system and integrated the unit in its digital label printing flagship as a DEU (Digital Embellishment Unit), the Gallus Labelfire. During the “Innovation Days” in 2018, Gallus presented this machine for the first time with an integrated DEU. The customers’ interest was overwhelming. Following successful field tests, the module is applied for industrial applications in the meantime.
As the first user, the innovative Viennese company INISGNIS-Etiketten already works with the Gallus Labelfire including an integrated DEU. They now impress their customers with their innovative and creative solutions. The fact that they mastered digital processes within the shortest of time can be seen as they already won a “Golden Pixel Award” for their innovative products back in December 2018.
The advantages of digital technology are primarily time-to-market and the reduction of production materials. This makes expensive and time-consuming printing plates superfluous. Anything from minor corrections up to completely new solutions can be developed on the machine and produced immediately. Moreover, inkjet is the only technology within the field of application which is able to realise the entire range from a single drop to relief application. Inline and in a single pass, this enables the generation of glossy, matte and haptic relief effects with various heights. A metallic doming effect can be generated with the foil embossing which can otherwise only be implemented in screen printing.
With the framework agreement between Schmid Rhyner and Gallus signed at the beginning of May, the further development for future-oriented digital solutions has now also been officially underlined.