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Flexo Quality Consortium FQC LogoWho can volunteer to be on an FQC project? You can! Each project is a little different and the team members may differ, based on those varying needs. It is the responsibility of the leader to determine what skill sets are needed for success.

FQC is chartered to provide the industry with a better understanding of the factors controlling the quality of the flexographic printing process. We investigate select process variables in order to further develop reproducible process concepts that will result in measurable advancements in flexo technology. Our members actively participate in global graphic standards committees and associations to research and represent the flexographic printing process and actively support the content validation of FIRST (Flexographic Image Reproduction Specifications & Tolerances).

The Consortium develops and evaluates proposed projects individually to determine their technical value to the industry and the FQC’s goals. We encourage open participation by qualified technical representatives from FTA member companies on a non-discriminatory basis. The FQC supports projects that are manageable, statistically sound and use commercially available materials and resources to provide qualitative and quantitative documentation through FTA and other industry vehicles for publication and dissemination.

FQC Project Participants

In general, here is an example list of the membership resources that work a project from beginning to end.

We want team members to be fulfilled and confident that what they are bringing to the team is important and their participation matters. For that reason, we’d like team members to have a significant interest in the project. Is every project right for everyone? Probably not, but we will make sure volunteers are paired with the project that suits their expertise and resources.

FQC Project & Participant Feedback

So, what is it like to work on an FQC project? Here is some feedback from individuals in specific roles and discussing specific parts of past projects:

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#eb313a” class=”” size=””]“Is every project right for everyone? Probably not, but we will make sure volunteers are paired with the project that suits their expertise and resources.”[/perfectpullquote]

The View from the Top

Miraclon Corp’s Alexander James and 3M’s Ann Michaud served as team leaders on the High-Resolution Project. “Working with Ann as a fellow team leader was a very rewarding experience,” James says. “Numerous challenges arose, one of which was the sheer magnitude of the project covering narrow web and wide web segments of the industry.”

Michaud recalls that “Early in the project, the team determined the scope of the project needed to be controlled to contain the variables. At that point, we decided to separate the project into two phases— narrow web and wide web—to keep it manageable.”

The first step, James explains, was forming a volunteer committee and coordinating regular conference calls to get the ball rolling. “Thankfully, Brian Cook of MacDermid Graphics Solutions stepped up and volunteered to lead Part B, once we completed Part A,” he says.

“At the outset of Part A, we focused on working with the industry volunteer committee to design a test target layout with which we could all agree,” James adds. “With everyone’s input, we established various test elements that could be used to evaluate the print performance level of any given imaging/plating technology.”

Once the test target was finalized, the team focused on defining a protocol for the completion of each print trial test, after which James says it turned its attention to finding printers willing to partake in the project by providing press time and material. “Coordinating press time availability can sometimes be a bit of a juggling act, especially when factoring in everyone’s travel schedule,” he notes.

So, if you think you have what it takes, we want you! You can volunteer by contacting any executive board member—the member list is found on the FQC page—or by submitting a form with your information and expertise—also found on the FQC page on FTA’s website. The Flexo Quality Consortium exists for the benefit of our industry and FTA membership. Get involved to make a difference!

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