Mapitek, a subsidiary of Faderco Group, has commissioned a BOBST Expert CI flexographic printing press at its facility in Sétif, Algeria. The installation was carried out by BOBST Africa & Middle East (BAM) team based in Tunisia, marking a significant upgrade in the subsidiary’s production capacity. The project involved close collaboration between the local staff and the BAM team to ensure the system met Mapitek’s operational requirements. “Big thanks to everyone involved for the teamwork and professionalism!” read a statement from the BOBST BAM team.
The Expert CI platform is designed to deliver consistent process control and stable printing results with both solvent-based and water-based inks. It supports a seven-color Extended Color Gamut (ECG) process, which enhances colour range without compromising performance. Key automated features include smartGPS and smartSET systems for rapid registration and impression setting at startup and job changeovers. The smartFLO inking unit with a chamber doctor blade provides predictable ink flow, while the triLOCK bearing system offers automated locking to maintain precise alignment.
Heating and drying are managed by a full surface matrix intercolour dryer, which prevents substrate deformation during printing. The tunnel incorporates a hybrid dual-technology drive that optimises energy use and ventilation. A fully automatic bi-directional reel splice enables uninterrupted production, and the winders are equipped with an energy recovery mechanism. The press’s modular design allows for additional flexo or gravure units and reverse printing turning bars.
The Expert CI press can be configured for solvent-based, water-based, electron beam, or ECG printing. Connectivity features include remote access to production data and IoT-based predictive maintenance to schedule service before part failures. The installation is expected to improve efficiency and reduce material waste at Mapitek’s Sétif site.