The solution to this problem first came to light at the Propak show in 2013 when
Alliance Machinery demonstrated the Tec Lighting offline UV coater on its stand.
The problem was that this device was too large for the print requirements at
Colourtech. Towards the end of last year however, Alliance Machinery contacted
Sonja and her son Ettiene to inform them that it now had a smaller format UV
coater specifically designed for digital and litho markets, allowing them to run
the Tec Lighting in line with their digital printer or as an independent device with
a fully automated feeder. Having already had one bad experience, Sonja and
Ettiene decided to partner with Alliance Machinery and Tec Lighting on a two
month trial basis. The UV Coater was delivered and installed within a day and
the machine was fully operational and in production within two days of being
installed.
Ettiene confirmed that ‘The machine was fully operational within a couple of days
from being delivered, apart from some small issues along the way has continued
to operate perfectly ever since then. It is easy to operate, does not require
extensive maintenance and when it does, we can do it ourselves.’
Sonja and Ettiene were so impressed with the coater that they very soon made
the placement permanent by buying it. Sonja commented, ‘We were very
impressed with the service from Alliance Machinery and every time we have had
a question it has been answered immediately. Also, the coater gives us the ability
to coat our covers in a very cost-effective way and the result is amazing, the
colours are far more vibrant once they are coated.’
Bradley Bate, managing director of Alliance Machinery commented, ‘The Tec
Lighting UV Roller Coaters have been designed to handle all different types
of printed material including litho and digital. In fact, they are specifically
recommended for digital and have been specified as the preferred supplier
for Konica Minolta and other digital press manufacturers in the United States.
We are very happy that Colourtech has installed the Tec Lighting coater. The
varied printing processes and the sheer volume of printed material mean that
Colourtech will be able to achieve a great deal of benefit from the coater.’
The Tec Lighting coater is supplied with its own feeder based on similar principles
to those used on a press feeder. However, the feeder can also be wheeled away
from the coater allowing printed material to be taken directly from a digital
printing press. This further improves the productivity of the machine and reduces
operator intervention. It also uses low-odour coatings which reduces the potential
harm to operators and pollution of the working environment.
UV coating provides a range of benefits, it protects the printed item from
excessive wear caused by extensive use, it allows post-processing functions
to be handled immediately, and it gives a superior print finish. The Tec Lighting
coater adds another arrow to the quiver of Colourtech’s services. It is a single-
source print and educational material supplier. It offers a full range of services
from design through to delivery of printed books and electronic books. It also
provides a CD and DVD copying and printing facility.
Colourtech is constantly looking for new services to offer its clients. This means
that it is looking for new technology to supplement its already impressive array.
The Tec Lighting coater from Alliance Machinery is just the latest. But it won’t
be the last. While each new development is a learning curve, it seems that
Colourtech is ahead of the class.
Ettiene Groenewald with Bradley Bate of Alliance Machinery
The Tec Lighting offline UV coater at Colourtech
Vol 5 Issue 1 • COLOURTECH HOLDINGS PROTECTING YOUR PRINTS
46
I
The GAPP
magazine
www.
thegapp
.co.za
