Kodak’s innovative flexo technology helps ensure quality and practical relevance for international students – German Flexographic Technical Association (DFTA) also profits from this contribution

Rochester, N.Y. – Kodak has donated a KODAK FLEXCEL NX Mid System to Stuttgart Media University (HdM, www.hdm-stuttgart.de). Kodak's solution for high-performing flexo plate production upgrades the prepress equipment for packaging printing at the internationally renowned higher education institution to the highest technological standard.

By making this valuable material donation, Kodak is helping to ensure the high-quality level – and add to the diversity – of the practical content of the University’s relatively new, international degree course in Print Media Technologies. Leading to a Bachelor of Engineering, it is conducted in English and attracts applicants from all over the world. The course focuses on future and growth-oriented segments in the print media industry, such as smart printing in a wide range of packaging and industrial applications. Flexo, as a highly dynamic and globally expanding printing process, is a key packaging printing technology. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) as well as different variable data printing (digital) technologies and applications are other major elements of the curriculum. Classic commercial printing is covered as well. The curriculum also embraces natural sciences and business basics. All technical courses are supported by a superbly equipped Technology Center, where students can gain practical experience in research, development and production.

“The industry needs competent young talent, familiar with the newest production processes as well as with future trends in packaging printing and other growth markets – not just in Europe but throughout the world. Our aim is to get young people worldwide enthusiastic about the world of print and produce highly qualified graduates to work in emerging international markets. We provide ambitious young blood with a one-of-a-kind study environment. It’s a definite advantage that, as far as we’re aware, Stuttgart Media University has access to better and more extensive hardware than any other higher education institution worldwide offering courses in print technology,” said Volker Jansen, Academic Dean and Professor of Print Media Technologies. “The FLEXCEL NX System from Kodak will significantly support our efforts to elevate our practical options in packaging printing to the latest technological standard.” At the same time, Professor Jansen emphasized Stuttgart Media University’s interest in strengthening its collaboration with the industry, which has benefits for all stakeholders – students, the university itself and its industry partners.

FLEXCEL NX System donation reflects the growing importance of flexo in packaging
“Flexographic printing is increasingly playing a key role in the packaging sector; in terms of quality, performance and production efficiency, the standard meanwhile achieved with this process would have been considered impossible only ten years ago. KODAK FLEXCEL NX Plate technology has made a vital contribution here. That’s why we want to give students who will be taking on management responsibilities in tomorrow’s global printing industry an opportunity to come into contact with this innovative technology,” said Chris Payne, President, Flexographic Packaging Division and Vice President of Kodak. “Kodak sees the donation of the FLEXCEL NX Systems as a way to foster the course’s quality and industry relevance, giving students and lecturers alike a chance to make flexo plates for premium packaging printing using leading-edge technology.”

The FLEXCEL NX System installed at the university is equipped with all the latest features including Kodak’s NX Advantage technology – a mechanism for optimizing ink transfer during printing through innovative plate surface patterning. An extremely versatile device, the system can also image thermal film for screen printing stencils and features the Hybrid Option, which means the FLEXCEL NX Imager can also image thermal plates for offset. Thanks to these capabilities, the KODAK FLEXCEL NX System will soon replace two other CTP systems at Stuttgart Media University.

The FLEXCEL NX System in Stuttgart will also be made available to the German Flexographic Technical Association (DFTA) – which shares premises with the university – for test and training purposes. “We were interested in the technology because Kodak’s FLEXCEL NX System has caused much of a stir in the market and set new benchmarks. In the future, this donation will allow us to demonstrate state-of-the-art flexo platemaking in our own Flexo Academy courses,” commented Professor Martin Dreher, Scientific Director of the DFTA Technology Center and Director of the DFTA Flexographic Academy.

Official handover of the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Mid System to Stuttgart Media University (from left to right): Professor Volker Jansen (Stuttgart Media University), Roland Hamacher (Division Sales Manager EAMER, Flexographic Packaging Division, Kodak), Nilgun Turan (Marketing Manager EAMER, Flexographic Packaging Division, Kodak) and Professor Martin Dreher (DFTA).