The launch of the Nilpeter MO-4 rotary offset combination press was one of the highlights at LabelExpo 2007 in Brussels. It was the first commercially-available narrow web press to incorporate offset sleeve technology and has continued to attract wide international interest. Since the show the servo-driven MO-4 has been further refined with solid testing and a maturing of its capabilities. Around a dozen presses have already been ordered, with more in the pipeline, and delivery will commence from April this year.
The MO-4 reflects a growing interest in offset-printed labels, which has been encouraged by quality-conscious brand owners and helped by lower prepress costs. Nilpeter started this trend in 1994 by introducing the cassette-based MO-3300, the first offset platform press for label printing. After selling over 200 versions of the MO-Series, the company sees the process has come of age with the fourth generation of MO-4. With servo drives for the main press functions, it takes the platform concept to higher levels of flexibility and productivity for mixed run lengths of high-end labels and flexible packaging, including shrink sleeves.
To meet the expected demand for the press, Nilpeter has installed the latest metal processing equipment and automated manufacturing systems at its main plant in Slagelse, Denmark. Over the past two years it has invested millions of euros in state-of-the-art precision facilities for the factory, as well as for its US plant in Cincinnati. Nilpeter also has a manufacturing facility in Brazil, with another opening in India later this year.
Nilpeter has also setup a new working showroom in Denmark that opens in April 2008. Besides press demonstrations, there are facilities for operator training and testing users’ consumables allowing a comprehensive sharing of knowledge for all concerned. As well as an MO-4 platform press, the showroom will also include CASLON, a four-colour UV-InkJet press for digital labels, and the company’s best-selling FA-4 UV-flexo press. This display of different printing technologies will make the showroom the most comprehensive of any in the industry. Nilpeter presses can also be seen in the regional showrooms and training centres operated by its subsidiaries, as well as by strategically-placed dealers and distributors around the world.
“Everyone at Nilpeter and its associated teams have a passion for our clients’ business, the technology involved, the different presses and the market’s dynamics’, said Jakob Landberg, sales director. “They are enhanced by many long-term serving specialists, whose combined working experience exceeds 5.000 years. This Nilpeter brotherhood is the core of the business and truly reflects our slogan, ‘People-to-People’, and one which is spiced with experience.”
Technical background
As the newest member of the Nilpeter Dream Line of presses, the MO-4 has a web width of 420 mm (16½ inches) and takes high quality offset production of labels and packaging a stage further. Its flexible platform technology allows many bespoken configurations for day-to-day operations, giving quick switches between a choice of UV-flexo, rotary screen and gravure print processes, plus hot and cold foiling.
Instead of conventional all-metal three-cylinder cassettes or inserts, the MO-4 features Nilpeter’s patented sleeve system for the plate and blanket cylinders. Their lightweight sleeve construction allows fast changes of repeat lengths in a range from 18 to 25 inches with reduced tooling costs. Running with precise bearer-to-bearer contact and a fixed all-metal impression cylinder, the sleeve system ensures the best of offset quality with a minimal dot gain. The same sleeve technology is also used for the plate cylinders and anilox rolls when running with optional flexo modules.
