Wider and faster: EXL-packaging (4 sold already!) At LabelExpo 2009 in Brussels, MPS successfully introduced the EXL-packaging. MPS used her philosophy, knowledge and experience to build a revolutionary new flexo packaging printing press. A few months later, the first 4 EXL-packaging presses are sold and several EXL-packaging projects are in the pipeline. The results of the first machines produced are remarkable, either when you look at quality, productivity or flexibility. MPS is proud to conclude that the combination of MPS technology and packaging printing is a perfect fit. Quality As stated in the introduction, the results of the EXL-packaging are remarkable. MPS introduced her proven UV flexo print technology to the packaging printing industry, resulting in the EXL-packaging with superb print quality. The integrated MPS Crisp.Dot technology leads to a minimal dot gain, a full round dot, good ink coverage in solid areas and sharper printing of smaller fonts. Crisp.Dot enables the operators to produce the most demanding quality labels, flexible packaging and carton board with the EXL-packaging. Productivity The EF-packaging is wider than other MPS models. All 4 EXL-packagings sold are 26 inches (660mm) wide. The EF-packaging is engineered for a speed of 300 meters per minute. In order to produce that wide and fast, MPS developed an advanced heat management system specially for the EXL-packaging. Furthermore, the press is equipped with the latest water cooled GEW technology which has no exhaust. So, large air extraction away from the (conditioned) press room is not necessary anymore! Also waste reduction was a major issue in developing the EXL-packaging, and not only for the web substrate. In order to reduce the waste of ink, the focus was on the ink content of the system. With the Lean Inking technology, the EXL-packaging is the flexo printing press with the lowest ink content ever. Next to that, Lean Inking guarantees for none ink spitting nor misting at higher speeds. For all these reasons, the Lean Inking technology was nominated for the 2009 FlexoTech award in the category “Innovation in Printing Press/Finishing” (click here for more info).  However, according to MPS, productivity does not only come with the performance of the press itself and waste reduction. Also operator motivation and satisfaction is a major issue. iControl, the innovative press control exclusively for MPS presses, is the answer to this aspect. Flexibility Maybe the most important contribution of the EXL-packaging to current packaging printing is flexibility. A clear example of flexibility is the fact that the 4 EXL-packagings sold will be used for different purposes. The presses are going to be used for wrap around sleeves, shrink sleeves, yoghurt lids and in-mould labels. Both UV- and solvent based inks will be used. The explosion proof units are developed by MPS to the latest safety standards. The EXL-packaging is a print sleeve press which is unique in a way that it uses removable air mandrels that are stepped in size to allow for wall thicknesses of print sleeves to be managed both from a quality and a price standpoint. The EXL-packaging is called a flexo press, but different printing and converting units can be integrated also. Examples are: screen- , gravure- , laminating- , hotfoil-  and coldfoil units. These units can be placed on the Ultraflex rail system and can be moved and removed easily, resulting in high flexibility. EXL-packaging in action The EXL-packaging can be seen in action on the Internet by going to the MPS YouTube page: www.youtube.com/multiprintsystems.