WSM-1000 CI Flexo Printing Machine

1. Stack Type Flexo Printing Machine ->[The printing units are arranged vertically, one above another. The structure is relatively simple and economical, and this type is widely used for standard paper cup printing.]
2.CI Type (Central Impression) ->[Flexo Printing Machine Multiple printing units are arranged around one large central impression drum. This type provides better register accuracy and is suitable for high-speed, high-quality printing, including designs with more colors and finer details.]
3.Inline Type Flexo Printing Machine ->[ The printing units are arranged horizontally in a straight line. This type is suitable for integration with other processes such as die-cutting, punching, and other converting operations.]

For paper cup applications, these three types — Stack Type, CI Type, and Inline Type — are the most common.

Of course, the CI Type (Central Impression) flexographic printing machine is generally the most efficient among the major flexographic printing systems. It is also usually the most expensive type and the largest in overall machine size.

One of the main advantages of a CI Type printing machine is its long and effective drying system. After printing, the web passes through an extended drying section before rewinding, which helps prevent ink set-off or ink transfer to the back side of the paper when the printed roll is wound.

Another major advantage is its excellent color-to-color register accuracy, especially in multi-color printing from 1 color up to 6 colors.

In a CI Type machine, the paper web is firmly held on one large central impression drum while all colors are printed. Because the paper remains fixed on the same central drum throughout the printing process, movement of the web is minimized and each color can be printed in a much more stable and accurate position.
In comparison, Stack Type and Inline Type machines generally use a separate impression roller for each printing unit. Since the paper travels a longer distance from one color station to another, small changes in web tension or paper position can cause each color to shift slightly.
This can create register misalignment, where one color moves slightly upward, downward, or sideways compared with the other colors, making the printed image look less sharp or slightly blurred. The CI Type greatly reduces this problem because all printing colors are registered while the paper is continuously supported by the same central impression drum.

For this reason, the CI Type is especially suitable for high-quality multi-color printing that requires precise register, sharp image quality, stable web control, and high-speed production.

CI Type printing machines designed for heavy-duty packaging materials, such as thick paper, operate with relatively high web tension.
Printing quality depends not only on the printing units themselves, but also on maintaining proper tension between the unwinder and rewinder, which continuously pull and control the web during printing.
If a thin plastic film is used on a machine designed for heavy paper, the film may stretch, deform, or even break under excessive tension, making stable printing impossible.
This issue is not limited to CI Type machines. The same principle applies to all flexographic printing machines.

For this reason, machines designed for thin paper and flexible packaging materials such as plastic film should be separated from machines designed for thicker paper and heavy-duty packaging materials.

The WSM1000 is designed for paper starting from approximately from 120 gsm to 400gsm .

Available configurations include 4 colors, 4 colors plus 1 varnish, 6 colors, and 6 colors plus 1 varnish.

The central impression drum helps stabilize the paper web through multiple print stations, which supports registration and tension control. Adequate drying is also important before printed paper is punched and formed into cups.

Of course, fully servo-driven CI Type flexographic printing machines are available. However, truly high-end servo CI systems can cost several million dollars or more.
These machines are highly precise and computerized, and they may include advanced features such as automatic print quality inspection, register control, and easy adjustment of printing position during operation.

In comparison, the WSM1000 uses a mechanical adjustment system. Once an experienced operator completes the initial setup and adjustment, the machine can continue operating with the same mechanical settings.
There are also lower-priced servo-driven CI flexo machines available for under one million dollars. However, we do not particularly recommend such systems when long-term maintenance and serviceability are important. If a servo control system develops a serious problem after the warranty period, repair costs can be very high, and many issues may require direct support from the original manufacturer’s engineers.
The design concept of the WSM1000 is different. To keep the machine cost at a reasonable level, it does not use a fully servo-driven system. Instead, it is designed to obtain the main advantages of a CI printing structure through a mechanically driven system.
Among the major flexographic printing configurations, CI Type offers significant advantages in printing stability and register accuracy, and it is also generally the most expensive type of flexographic printing machine.

Therefore, the purpose of the WSM1000 is to provide the fundamental printing advantages of a CI Type machine while maintaining a simpler, more durable, and more economical mechanical drive system