MINNEAPOLIS, October 28, 2011 — Dunwoody College of Technology’s has received more than half a million dollars in equipment donations for the Harper Center of Graphics Technologies for the 2011-2012 academic year. The donations came as the result of the department’s connections with industry and will enhance the learning of the students in its three programs.
EskoArtWork donated a computer to plate system, which utilizes lasers to image photopolymer printing plates. This state-of-the-art equipment is equipped with high definition optics to produce the highest quality plates, thus eliminating the use of film and the chemicals used to process it.
An Orbtial X system was donated by Anderson and Vreeland. The Orbital X is a new plate exposure washout and filtration system. The system is environmentally-friendly because it does not use solvents.
Anderson & Vreeland, Inc., a leading supplier of flexo plate processing equipment and materials, donated an Orbital X plate processor and Whirl-A-Way filtration unit. These systems produce high quality and environmentally-friendly water-wash Toyobo Cosmolight® flexo plates.
“Anderson & Vreeland takes great pride in supporting Dunwoody and its educational mission,” said Darin Lyon, vice president and general manager of Anderson & Vreeland. “Our donation complements our efforts to introduce advanced training and technologies to this industry that has been so good to us.”
A Delta Crusader was provided on loan to the department by Delta Industrial. The Crusader is driven through servo motors, and its versatility allows it to perform tasks from simple die-cutting to complex product creation. This state-of-the-art equipment allows the students to increase their knowledge about gear rations, tensions setting, web paths and other important converting aspects.
In addition, through a partnership with Mark Andy Inc., Dunwoody purchased two flexographic presses. Mark Andy will use Dunwoody’s printing lab as a demo site and a location for hosting guest lecturers as well as assist in training and servicing the machines. The two presses are the Mark Andy Performance Series P3 and a 2200. The newly installed P3 is the latest in press technology. It was designed around productivity and lean manufacturing to accommodate quick changeovers and to deliver consistent print quality. The Performance Series design has won two innovation awards this year – the Flexographic Technical Association Technical Innovation Award in May and the FlexoTech 2011 International Innovation Award this month.
GEW, one of leaders in energy-efficient UV curing systems for printing and coating, supplied Dunwoody with a 7 UV curing units for the Mark Andy presses. UV capabilities allow Dunwoody students to broaden their printing comprehension and trouble-shooting skills.
Also new to the department: plate cylinders, RD scores and other tooling for the new press, donated by RotoMetrics; a Caresonic anilox roll ultra sonic cleaner, donated by Eaglewood Technologies; a roll runner and die lift, donated by AzTech Converting; and nine anilox rolls for the new press donated by Harper Corporation.
The anilox rolls are the most recent donation provided by the generosity of the Harper Corporation. The continual financial contributions of Ron and Katherine Harper made the purchase of the Mark Andy presses possible, which are at the heart of the flexographic program. Additionally, Dunwoody students have the opportunity to work with Harper Corporation trainers who provide hands-on expertise and technical instruction. With the experience and equipment provided by Harper, students become industry professionals.
Dunwoody College of Technology is the only private, not-for-profit technical college in the Upper Midwest. It has been a leader in training technicians and designers for the printing and graphics industry for most of its nearly 100-year history. The Design & Graphics Technology Department teaches students in graphic design, pre-media or press and finishing technologies who are industry-ready from the day they graduate. The department features a full-service Print Services Center and has won seven of the last 10 national flexographic competition titles.