Winpak, a leading manufacturer and distributor of packaging materials, recognized the advantages of automating the flexo plate cleaning process early on. Long before automatic plate washers became widely adopted, Winpak saw the value in protecting flexo plates for repeated use. Automating the cleaning process preserves the longevity and performance of flexo plates and significantly reduces labor costs.
The Importance of Efficient Flexo Plate Cleaning
Winpak understands that flexo plates represent a considerable investment, and maintaining them for multiple press runs makes good business sense. Implementing an automatic flexo plate cleaning system has achieved consistent, high-quality plate performance while streamlining their workflow.
Winpak specializes in packaging solutions for perishable foods, beverages, and healthcare products. As part of a global packaging group, it operates ten production facilities across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Its commitment to innovation led it to explore ways to enhance its flexo plate cleaning process.
From Manual to Automatic: Streamlining Flexo Plate Cleaning
Initially, Winpak’s plate washing process involved a manual, four-step process that took over an hour per plate. The process included pre-soaking the plate for 15-30 minutes, followed by washing, rinsing, and drying. Recognizing the inefficiency of this method, Sebastien Munilla, Winpak’s Division Pre-Press Supervisor, began evaluating automatic plate washers to improve their flexo plate cleaning workflow.
After conducting demonstrations at Winpak’s Montreal facility, Sebastien chose the OVIT Flexomatic plate washer from Anderson & Vreeland Canada. “While other machines were good, the OVIT offered a little more, and I believed A&V would provide the service support we needed,” Sebastien noted.
The Impact of Automated Flexo Plate Cleaning
The installation of the OVIT Flexomatic was seamless, and within a day, Winpak was fully operational with their new plate cleaning system. Martin Schofield, A&V sales/service technician from A&V Canada, and Brent Brickel, Innovation/Design Leader from A&V’s Bryan, Ohio facility, handled the installation.
With the OVIT Flexomatic, Winpak can clean, rinse, and dry flexo plates more efficiently and consistently. Plates are automatically processed and exit the machine ready for final inspection before storage. This automation significantly reduced the plate cleaning time from 30-40 minutes to just eight minutes.
“The OVIT represents a huge improvement for Winpak, cutting their flexo plate cleaning process down dramatically,” said Martin Schofield. The faster process frees up employees to focus on other tasks within the plate wash area, improving overall productivity.
Improved Efficiency and Reduced Costs
The new automatic flexo plate cleaning system also helps Winpak avoid backlogs of plates needing cleaning during peak times. In addition to saving time, fewer damaged plates mean reduced costs on polymer plate materials. Moreover, the consistent cleaning ensures that used plates return to press in excellent condition, contributing to better print results.
Installed in August 2016, the OVIT Flexomatic has exceeded Winpak’s expectations, both in performance and in the support Anderson & Vreeland Canada provided. “The support from A&V has been outstanding,” said Sebastien.
A Partnership in Flexographic Innovation
Anderson & Vreeland is proud to partner with Winpak to enhance their flexo plate cleaning process and support their continued success. We thank Sebastien and Winpak for their business and for choosing A&V as their prepress supplier.
Automating flexo plate cleaning is a game-changer for converters like Winpak. It reduces time, labor, and costs while ensuring plates are maintained for optimal performance. Let Anderson & Vreeland help you streamline your flexographic printing operations!
