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Matthews Australasia has launched a new Solaris laser in the Australian market. The laser is for high-speed packaging and beverage lines, and Matthews says it is the fastest laser in the marketplace.

Matthews sales manager and laser product specialist Matt Nichol said: “As an example, the SolarJet range includes a 100W fibre laser which is designed to print onto beverage cans at 2000 items a minute. This speed is in excess of 200 cans per minute faster than what else is available in the market today.

“As with the rest of the Solaris lasers that Matthews represents, there is excellent technology and innovation behind this latest high-end model, including its software and scanning head technology. The new SolarJet range delivers high-speed laser coding without compromising print quality to high-speed production lines.”

The new SolarJet technology was meant to be released at Interpack this year, but with the show cancelled, Matthews is doing a soft launch in Australia.

Nichol said: “The SolarJet technology is currently operating on many high-speed packaging lines in Europe and delivering phenomenal results. Matthews has recently installed its first SolarJet laser, and we are impressed with the quality and speed this technology delivers.”

Long-term partnership

In light of recent announcements, Matthews has confirmed there would be no change to business with Dover Corporation’s acquisition of Solaris.

Nichol said: “It is important to clarify that Solaris has been purchased by Dover, not by any subsidiaries that Dover owns. It is a testament to Solaris and the laser technology it has designed and built that others recognise it as world-class for packaging and industrial applications.

“Matthews Australasia will continue to sustain our 20-year-long relationship with Solaris, with Dover maintaining it as an independent business with an independent distribution channel globally.

“So there are no changes for our customers; it’s just business as usual. The original agreement resulted from Matthews’ world-wide search for superior laser-coding technology. The Solaris laser system fitted then – as now – with our aim to deliver world-class technology, with low cost of ownership, and our policy of only selling proven technology. Matthews will continue to supply and support the entire Solaris range of best-in-class lasers without any disruptions for our customers.”

Dr Lech Boruc, president of Solaris, said: “It was important for us to maintain our relationship with Matthews; they have been our Australia-New Zealand representative since quite early days. That was an excellent decision, with the partnership seeing our business expand globally, backed by Matthews’ full-service capabilities.

“Matthews told us its key search criteria back then was print performance, print quality, strong reference lists and extensive technical credentials. Although we had a large installed base globally, Solaris was not a household name in Australia at the time; we have since become one thanks to the team at Matthews. Over our 20-year relationship we have been impressed with Matthews’ world-class sales and, equally as importantly, its technical support.”

Dr Boruc said: “It has been a positive for Solaris and Matthews, and also for Australian and New Zealand manufacturers – we put a lot of research and development into our product, so are comfortable knowing the Australasian industry has highest-quality technology from us supported by the highest quality service from Matthews.”

Matthews is a member of the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA).

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