What is Cast and Cure™?
The Cast and Cure holographic effect is achieved with a lithographic printing process utilizing UV technology and a nano-embossed casting film within a controlled system.
Cast and Cure™, then referred to as UV film casting was first introduced in Japan in the early 1990’s as an off-line process and has only recently progressed to an in-line process with the introduction of newly developed equipment.
The process involves using a polypropylene film which has a nano embossed pattern embedded into an emulsion coating on one side of the film. The depth of the emboss is 200 nanometers. There are many wallpaper patterns available and preparatory patterns can be made. Wallpaper patterns are purely for decorative effect while preparatory patterns can be used for product identification or covert security purposes.
Two printing towers of a lithographic printing press are used. On the first tower a UV varnish is applied to the substrate by a standard lithographic printing plate in the pattern desired. On the second unit the nano-embossed film passed between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder. The nano-embossed pattern in pressed into the wet varnish while a UV light source cures the varnish thereby locking in the pattern. After curing, the film is removed from the substrate to be rewound for subsequent use. With a properly controlled rewind system the film can be reused up to 12 times.
The system operates at machine speed and because the film is reused there is no additional material added to the substrate. This equates to a low cost, highly decorative application with a very small environmental footprint.
How Does it Work?
- 1st Step: Printing with UV Inks is performed
- 2nd Step: UV Coating or Varnish is applied in a Print or Coating Unit using a Litho or Cyrel® Plate
- 3rd Step: The film comes into contact with the UV Coating or Varnish and the image of the film is Nano Embossed into the UV Coating
- 4th Step: Curing & Drying of the sheet occurs through your UV System creating the Holographic effect onto the Printed Sheet
Cast and Cure™ Application Systems mount on top of your printing press and work within the parameters of the press’ software operations and specifications. The system is aesthetically designed to match the host press. Converting back and forth between normal printing and Cast and Cure™ applications is as simple as your normal job change over.
Downloads:
Cast and Cure™ Sustainablilty Study
Cast and Cure™ Pricing Analysis
DGM Filmdex™ Application System
• Single Tower Dancer-less Foil System
• Ability to run up to a 15,000 Meter Roll of Film
• Ability to run 6” Foil Core
• Proprietary DGM Software
• Electrical Control Cabinet
• HMI Touch Screen Control
• Two (2) Siemens Servo Drives & Controls
• Siemens Film Unit Motion Controller
• Siemens Motion Controller Cards
• Electrical Monitoring Sensors and Cabling
• Core Management Technology
• Laser Blanket Wrap Protection System
• Laser Web Break Detection
• Film Jog & Foil Advance Mode
• Film Web Tracking System
• Low Film Alarm System
• Smart Track Film Inlet & Outlet Rollers
• Elevation Kit to mount the unit onto the press
Cast and Cure™ is Recyclable, Reusable, Remarkable!
Cast and Cure™ is a Sustainable Manufacturing Process in which the Cast and Cure™ film is fully Recyclable. The Cast and Cure™ effect is created using a recyclable UV coating or UV varnish and does not emit any harmful VOC’s. Cast and Cure™ also reduces your overall carbon footprint.
The Cast and Cure™ film is re-usable multiple times. There are many stock Holographic patterns to chose from. You also have the ability to create a Custom Designed Pattern which can be used for Brand Protection and Anti Counterfeiting.
Cast and Cure™ is an excellent process for creating a cost effective visual impact to help a customer’s product stand out among the competition. The Cast and Cure™ effect is created at a fraction of the cost of other finishing processes and is environmentally; a better solution to Laminated Foil Board. Cast and Cure™ is remarkable as it creates a stunning holographic effect onto the printed substrate in a variety of designs performed in-litho register, at press speed
through your printing press with UV Capabilities.
Cast and Cure™ is the Sustainable Packaging Solution
Cast and Cure™ is an amazing sustainable packaging solution for your customers who desire a high impact visual effect. As the need to offer solutions which are environmentally friendly continue to increase, Cast and Cure™ is becoming the future of the industry. With many companies wanting to steer away from metallized products such as foil-board, Cast and Cure™ is a value added in-line finishing solution that reduces your overall carbon footprint. The Cast and Cure™ process uses Energy Curable UV Coatings and Varnishes which are solvent free and also a renewable resource. Cast and Cure™ does not emit any greenhouse gases during the process and also does not contain any VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). The Cast and Cure™ film is reusable multiple times and is also recyclable.
- Visit FSEA Website For More Information on the Recycling Study as it relates to Foils and Films
- Proctor and Gamble has used Cast and Cure™ to update their package and its design for the Prilosec OTC line. Proctor and Gamble has seen their impact on the environment and has reduced their landfill waste significantly.
- Visit FutureFriendly.com For More Information on the Prilosec OTC Study