Asahi’s AFP-TOP is a premium digital flexo plate giving the printer a wide colour space with vibrant colour reproductions and soft tonal shades fading out to zero. TOP incorporates the “Pinning Top Dot” Technology, which allows a kiss touch printing pressure setting with constant repeatability of printing quality during the production run.

1. Does Pinning Top Nail It?
A Webinar for Flexo Innovators
Asahi TOP Flexographic Plate Material
July 23, 2013
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2. Goals of This Webinar
→ Present the reasoning behind the development of
Pinning Top Dot Technology, and specifically, TOP.
→ Review physical and technical makeup of the Pinning Top Dot.
→ Clarify points of differentiation and deliverables with
Pinning Top Dot technology
→ Share case study observations from print trials...
• Wide, Medium, Narrow web width
• UV, Water, Solvent inks
• Variety of substrates
→ Provide next steps for determining value of PTD
for your company
2
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3. Matt Williams, Dixie Graphics
Executive Vice President
Les Rawding, Correct Touch Graphic Arts
National Sales Manager
Jay Gieske, Dixie Graphics
Business Development
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Participants

4. Pinning Top Dot Development
New concept from Asahi
→ Theory behind Pinning Top Technology
Industry needs
→ Points of differentiation
→ Opportunity for new plate technology
Plate material development
→ Water washable “AWP” - 2011
→ Solvent Wash “TOP” - 2013
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5. Conventional PolymerPinning Top Dot
(175lpi,
10%) (175lpi,
10%)
Dot structure physical makeup
Comparison (200um dot)
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6. What Is “Pinning Top Dot”
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7. What Is “Pinning Top Dot”
Conventional PolymerNew Polymer Conventional PolymerNew Polymer
Conventional PolymerNew Polymer
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8. Potential Deliverables of TOP
Quality
→ Formulation of exceptionally fine highlight dot
and stable printing quality
Productivity
→ Higher printing productivity due to polymer
design of excellent ink transfer.
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9. Print results in fine highlight areas
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Plate High light (175lpi, 10%)
Pinning Top
Conventional
Flat Top

10. Solid pattern printing
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Without Special Pattern on Solid Without Special Pattern on Solid
Plate Print Plate Print
Pinning Top
AFP
Flat Top

11. Ink-spread / Ink transfer
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12. Ink Release Observations
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13. Ink-build comparisons
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14. Case Studies
A look at the beta testing that’s been
performed since January 2013
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15. Case Study Group A - Narrow Web
Narrow Web – UV Ink – Glaminate
Concern / challenge areas >
→ Ink coverage
→ Smooth screen transition
• Narrow Web – Water-based Ink – Label Stock
(gloss and semi-gloss)
→ Concern / challenge areas >
• Vignettes to zero, minimum highlight dot(s)

16. Case Study Group B - Wide Web
Wide Web – Solvent Ink – Film PE and PP
Concern / challenge areas >
→ Plate durability for longer runs
→ Wide Web – UV Ink – Poly Coated and Clay
→ Coat Board
→ Concern / challenge areas >
→ Downtime due to plate cleaning

18. How Do I Get These
Plates On My Press?
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Email Matt Williams | mwilliams@dixiegraphics.com
or Jay Gieske | jgieske@dixiegraphics.com
http://dixiegraphics.com/top-digital-flexo-plates/

19. Questions and Comments
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