Koenig & Bauer Durst is scaling up its VariJET 106 build program to cope with high demands for digital production in folding carton markets, which it expects to accelerate further this year.

The announcement comes as two beta sites get under way and the first commercial customer will start live production in the second half of the year.

Printing starts in May at a first beta site of the VariJET 106 B1 single pass digital press for folding carton markets. A second beta test customer, also in central Europe, will begin a few weeks later. The VariJET 106 is the first joint development between Durst and Koenig & Bauer. The announcements were made at Koenig & Bauer Durst VariJET 106’s Open House at Sheetfed Division of Koenig & Bauer where more than 60 delegates have been hosted in Radebeul, Germany, on April 26-27.

Robert Stabler, Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer Durst, said: “Built on market-proven technology, the VariJET 106 installations represent huge statements to the market – and we are really pleased with the substantial progress that has been made. Production is being ramped up and new machines will become available in the second half of 2023 on the back of the relatively high demand we are witnessing.”

He added: "These presses are tailored to individual requirements and afford a major opportunity for those companies that can optimize their production and reduce costs while offering new high added value business models. Challenges like these are what our VariJET 106 has been developed to answer. The VariJET 106 combines the best of both worlds of Koenig & Bauer’s Rapida 106 technology and all the digital know-how and expertise of Durst. It brings together the strengths of digital inkjet and classic offset printing.”

Koenig & Bauer Durst’s VariJET 106 is equipped to be able to address a wide range of applications. The press produces up to 5,500 sheets per hour. It uses water-based inks that comply with all the main food security standards. The inks are also de-inkable which is important to future proof an investment in the light of tightening legislation around recyclability and reusage rates.

• Industry analyst and commentator Dr Sean Smyth was the keynote speaker at VariJET 106 Open House in Radebeul. Sustainability, waste reduction targets and potential new European regulations on recyclability among the topics. Backing up the production demos, there were expert discussions on all facets of the printing process including a deep dive into how workflows and analytics support customers to cost effectively manage high volumes of shorter run length print jobs.

Massivit 3D Printing Technologies (TASE: MSVT), will unveil its Massivit 10000-G for the first time to the North American additive manufacturing market at Rapid + TCT in Chicago.  The system, that automates production for composite materials manufacturing, is designed to overcome recognised bottlenecks in mould production and to also provide a full range of large-scale custom manufacturing applications. Visitors to Booth #2924 during the Chicago event May 2-4, 2023, will see the Massivit 10000-G printing live demonstrations as well as many examples of printed components and moulds.

Erez Zimerman, CEO of Massivit, commented, “As the leading provider of large-scale additive systems, we’re thrilled to offer the North American additive manufacturing sector this opportunity to experience the new game-changing 10000-G in action. Following the launch last year of our award-winning 10000 additive system, we’ve now developed the capability to directly print industrial moulds for composites and to also create complex custom end parts all in one system – a true milestone for the manufacturing market.”

The 10000-G is the latest addition to Massivit’s Cast In Motion product line, designed to automate mould production for composite manufacturing and to provide an extensive range of applications for large-scale custom manufacturing. It enables digital production of complex moulds, mandrels, master tools, jigs, and fixtures. It significantly accelerates composite materials production by directly casting industrial moulds 80% faster than conventional processes. A variety of digital tooling processes are available on the 10000-G, including moulding for thermoforming, resin transfer moulding, and reaction injection moulding.

The company’s high-performance, epoxy-based casting material uniquely provides true isotropy for uniform strength and hardness in all directions at elevated temperatures, unlike existing additive tooling technologies currently on the market. Moulding processes for composites have traditionally relied on steel or aluminium that bear high costs, lengthy lead times, and extensive material waste.

In addition, the Massivit 10000-G offers a wide range of additive manufacturing and custom composite manufacturing applications, thanks to its integrated Gel Dispensing Printing (GDP) capabilities.

Massivit’s GDP technology, adopted across 40 countries so far, enables rapid production of full-scale end parts and functional prototypes suitable for the automotive, marine, railway, engineering, and other industries. The addition of GDP capabilities to the 10000-G system opens up the possibility of producing parts that are flame-retardant, impact-resistant, high definition, or transparent.

Massivit’s CEO concludes, “At Massivit, our objective is to automate areas of industrial production that have traditionally required time-consuming and costly skilled manual intervention. Composite manufacturing is one such area, and we have the ability through our 10000-G machine to truly disrupt the future production of composite parts and components.”

Meteor Inkjet Ltd, leading supplier of electronics, software, tools and services for industrial inkjet, has been granted a US patent for “Methods and Systems for Shell Formation in 3D Printing” (United States Patent No. 11,625,902) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  Exploiting the powerful greyscale capability of inkjet, Meteor’s patented ShellPro™ technology offers step-function savings in the energy and materials required to create complex 3D structures through binder jetting.  Meteor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group PLC (Euronext:  HYSG), a leading developer of technology solutions at the heart of industrial printing.

Binder jet 3D printing often requires the use of multiple structural constituents with different material densities, one structure of which can be a shell forming the external surface of an object.  For strength, this outer shell is typically made up of higher density material than that used in the interior of the object.  Meteor’s patented ShellPro technology takes the pain out of creating this shell through a novel technique that capitalises on the multiple drop size capability of greyscale industrial inkjet printheads.  Additionally, ShellPro can automatically reduce shell thickness for small features on a printed object resulting in improved dimensional accuracy.  ShellPro is included as a standard feature in Meteor’s Met3D software.  Met3D provides a straightforward method to convert 3D CAD files such as STL or OBJ to rasterised vector files that inkjet printers can understand. 

Ken Hillier, Meteor’s Director of North America and the patent’s primary inventor, explains, “This innovation offers the potential for additive manufacturing print systems to use as much as 50% less binder fluid, reduce the energy needed for curing and create 3D objects faster, all without sacrificing quality. Clive Ayling, Meteor’s Managing Director, adds, “Meteor continues to undertake basic research to find and develop ways to improve the functionality, cost, quality and reliability of the industrial inkjet printing process.  We are delighted that this invention has been recognised with a US patent and are confident that our ongoing investment in technological innovation will directly benefit not only our OEM customers but also the industry.”
 

MUTOH, a leading manufacturer of wide-format printers and cutters, has announced the release of a new texture library that includes 100 different matte and glossy varnish textures specifically designed for use in Adobe Illustrator & their proprietary award winning rip software VerteLith. The texture library is now available for download on the MUTOH Club under the VerteLith tab > Application and Manual.

The texture library includes all 100 pattern swatches for Adobe Illustrator, making it easy for designers to add a unique touch to their designs with just a few clicks. Additionally, the files also include the print environments for MUTOH’s VerteLith rip software, which allows for the generation of many different varnish effects.

According to Derek Moffett, Product Manager at MUTOH America, “We are thrilled to offer this new texture library to our customers. With 100 different varnish textures, designers can add depth and texture to their designs with ease. The files are designed for use in Adobe Illustrator, which means designers can easily incorporate the textures into their workflow. We’re excited to see what our customers create with these new tools.”

The texture library is part of MUTOH’s ongoing commitment to providing its customers with the best tools and resources. With the addition of the texture library, designers can add a new level of creativity to their designs while saving time and effort.

Coming soon, MUTOH will also release the texture library for use in FlexiDesigner MUTOH Edition.

mutoh.com

Print service providers can benefit from increased flexibility with the Flex RTR module, which doesn’t need undocking when transitioning from rolls to boards or sheets. This improves printer uptime and maximizes print production efficiency. The module marks the next step in the Tauro’s automation story, focusing on the optimal utilisation of this hybrid printing solution’s versatility.

“Automation is at the core of our inkjet printing solutions development track,” says Dieter Jancart, Segment Manager for high-end inkjet systems at Agfa. “Depending on a company’s specific job types and printing requirements, we will offer a tailored solution that will ensure the most efficient handling of their workload, regardless of whether it involves rigid or flexible substrates, or a combination of both.”

The Flex RTR was developed to match the one-pass printing mode on the Tauro H3300 UHS LED, up to a printing speed of 905 m²/h. It has a compact footprint and is ergonomic and user-friendly. With the simple press of a button, the dancer rolls controlling media tension move upward, enabling quick and effortless loading of the media by a single operator.

With the ability to handle both single- and dual-roll printing, the Flex RTR module can accommodate widths of up to 3.3 m and 1.6 m, respectively, with a maximum roll diameter of 400 mm and a weight of 450 kg for each roll. Switching from single- to dual-roll printing and back is a quick and straightforward process that can be accomplished by a single operator. The dancer rolls do not need to be removed or reinstalled but can remain in place during the changeover.

To ensure accurate double-sided printing, the integrated camera system reads QR codes generated by the printer’s user interface to pinpoint the exact image location and adjust the print position at the start of each job. If printing on the back side is unexpectedly halted, the camera system will identify which image needs to be printed, so that production can resume rapidly and flawlessly.

The new Flex RTR module is available as of this moment for all Tauro H3300 LED printers.

agfa.com

Helping textile creatives embrace fresh perspectives with new, enhanced, and collaborative technology will be the focus of Ricoh’s attendance at FESPA.

Europe's leading exhibition for screen and digital, textile and wide format printing, will take place at Messe Munich from May 23 to 26.

Several technologies will be shown in Europe for the first time on stand B1 C81. They include a forthcoming polyester Direct to Garment (DTG) printer that will serve the needs of sportswear textile printers to expand into the production of visually stunning, high quality polyester garments.

Ricoh will also introduce a new digital textile printer, designed to achieve highly vibrant colours for impactful designs in DTG and Direct to Film (DTF) printing. Attendees will be able to explore a new roll to roll DTF production system too.

All these integrated solutions enable designs to be printed and shipped for local, on demand application onto garments. This reduces carbon emissions including those involved in the textile manufacture itself.

These capabilities will be highlighted by Ricoh’s partnership with Fruit of the Loom and Russell Athletic. Ricoh will present a showcase where visitors can custom design their own T-shirt and watch it being produced on the stand. Alternatively, designs can be created online here https://ricoh-textile.eu/fespa

Demonstrating how imaginative designs are brought to life too, will be renowned Manga artist Shinnosuke Uchida. The specialist in large scale live painting has worked for major international companies and organisations. During the event visitors will be able to watch her work live as she shares her own take on the spirit of Japan. Some of her Manga designs will be available as T-shirts printed on the stand.

All of Ricoh’s production solutions are powered by Ricoh’s market leading printheads. A showcase wall will highlight the class leading technology’s production flexibility and its key role in driving the textile printing market.

ColorGATE (a Ricoh company) Productionserver will demonstrate how colour-accurate and high quality production can be achieved from one single workflow platform.

Eef De Ridder, Vice President, Graphic Communications Group, Ricoh Europe, says: “Opportunities in the garment printing industry are developing very quickly. Innovations in Direct to Garment and Direct to Film Technology are presenting textile printing businesses with compelling production capabilities that respond to leading market and environmental pressures. They are enabling them to reduce carbon emissions and water usage with local production, offer greater versioning capabilities with responsive short runs and drive creativity with easy to use solutions that deliver high quality results. Our systems and solutions on show have been developed and enhanced to responsively support operations in this highly demanding market. And our partnership with Fruit of the Loom will demonstrate how responsible and responsive end to end digital textile production is achievable.”

For more information visit www.ricoh-europe.com

Durst Group, manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, will be presenting its "360 Production Excellence" at FESPA Global Print Expo 2023 in Munich, Germany. From May 23-26, the company will showcase its new and integrated systems and solutions for fully automated, sustainable and cost-effective large-format print production in Hall A2, Stand A10. A media briefing will be held at the booth on April 23 at 10am to inform press representatives about the innovations before the start of the show.

Christian Harder, Vice President Sales, Durst Group, stated that the focus today is on automation, sustainability, and profitability, and Durst Group's offerings align with this focus. The company will exhibit an impressive installation of next-level automation for unattended print production. As a product launch, Durst Group will introduce the fastest roll-to-roll printer to date. The company will also showcase its water-based and UV-LED portfolio of ink systems that comply with all relevant regulations and are certified for third-party and sustainability requirements. Additionally, Durst Group's Service division will present new offerings for proactive customer support, now available in more than 80 countries.

Shuttle Service to Durst Headquarters and Customers

Durst Group is also offering a shuttle service to its headquarters in Brixen, Italy, to view its entire P5 large-format portfolio, along with other segment solutions such as Label & Flexible Packaging, Textile, Wallpaper, and Ceramic Tiles at the Durst Customer Experience Center.

Furthermore, attendees can see the P5 500 in production use at Escher Digitaldruck, about one hour away from the exhibition, after registration. The P5 500 is the reference in the field of 5 meter roll devices and the successor of the Rho 512, which is used hundreds of times worldwide.

Durst Software

Durst Group's Software division will showcase its advanced software solutions, tailored to digital printing. The solutions allow streamlining of the process “From Pixel to Output”: from initial file creation, to prepress, production and final analysis. This enables greater levels of automation and efficiency, improved print production processes and streamlined business.

Durst Tyrolean Hospitality

Durst Group will also bring South Tyrolean hospitality to Munich with the Durst Lounge, a place to discuss, relax, and enjoy some of the region's specialty foods and drinks.

To coordinate visits or for further information, please visit www-durst-group.com or write to Durst Group. The entire Graphics Team of Durst is excited to attend FESPA 2023 and exchange ideas with attendees. See you soon in Munich!

Vastex International have expanded their line of low wattage, high efficiency dryers for curing of DTG-printed inks and pretreatment, and water-based screen-printed inks and discharge, at high rates using 20 percent less energy than comparable dryers.

The new Lo-E1D model with 46 cm long heating chamber and 2.85 kW of power draws 12.5 amps at 230V, curing up to 23 garments/h printed with digital white ink at 3 minutes dwell time, or 64 garments/h with DTG pretreatment only or water-based inks at one minute dwell time.  

The new Lo-E3D model with 132 cm long heating chamber and 6.35 kW of power draws 38 amps at 230V, or just 10 amps at 400V, 3 phase, and cures up to 64 garments/h with digital white ink at 3 minutes dwell time, or 180 garments/h with DTG pretreatment or water-based inks at one minute dwell time.

"We engineered the new models for energy conscious-printers having lower or higher capacity requirements than satisfied by our first Lo-E2D dryer, which gained immediate acceptance following its 2022 introduction," says Vasilantone. With a 89 cm long heating chamber and 4.6 kW of power drawing 22 amps at 230V, that model cures up to 45 garments/h with digital white ink at 3 minutes dwell time, or 88 garments/h with DTG pretreatment or water-based inks at one minute dwell time.

All Lo-E models are equipped as standard with a 76 cm wide conveyor belt that runs true by means of a low friction belt aligner patented by the company, with belt speed controls allowing infinitely adjustable dwell times from one to five minutes. 

The Lo-E2D and Lo-E3D models come equipped with a 224 cm conveyor belt length and a 10.5 m³/min. exhaust system that evacuates moisture and air contaminates from the heating chamber, and cools the enclosure's outer skin and control panel.   The Lo-E1D has a 122 cm conveyor length and a 7.9 m³/min. exhaust system.

Height-adjustable heaters offer dual zone temperature control with a boost zone to quickly reach cure temperatures, and carry an industry-leading 15-year warranty.

As with all Vastex floor-standing conveyor dryers, the modular design of the low energy models enables users to add one or more heating chambers and extend the conveyor belt, multiplying capacity in direct proportion to each heating chamber added. Conveyor extensions can also be added to the infeed or outfeed of the dryer to optimize loading and cooling/unloading of garments.

The company also produce mid- and high-capacity dryers for DTG, DTF and screen-printing applications, as well as commercial-grade and entry-level manual screen printing presses, flash cure units, screen exposing units, screen drying cabinets, washout booths and complete screen printing shop systems, and offers a comprehensive range of training classes for entry level, intermediate and advanced screen printers.

For information contact Vastex International, Inc., +1 610 625 2702, sales@vastex.com, www.vastex.com

Roland DG Australia, a leading manufacturer of wide format inkjet printers and printer cutters, today announced a second round of 2023 training dates for the company’s successful Roland Academy Online courses.

The LIA, Heidelberg Graduate of the Year Award

Quote & Print Software will have ‘something for everyone’ at its Visual Impact stand, with a focus on the new Cloud Print ERP software, and the launch of a new Label & Carton Packaging Print ERP module to join large-format, sheet-fed and digital print ERP software in the company’s expansive range.

The 42-year-old Australian software house has made its name delivering print ERP solutions for print service providers in Australia and across the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions, installing more than 1000+ printers in 12 countries.

Managing Director Shanti Kumar says the company will take the opportunity provided by the industry’s leading regional show to showcase this new offering, as well as modules for a range of sectors, including a totally new Label & Carton Packaging Print ERP module.

“Our robust software solutions have been designed specifically to meet the needs of print service providers, large and small, covering all aspects of the global print and packaging industry,” Kumar says, “and we’ll be showcasing a full range at Visual Impact, Sydney with a special focus on new releases.”

Over the past five years, Kumar says the company has invested considerable resources to develop its Cloud Print ERP solution which uses the latest Microsoft technology and data hosted at the Microsoft Data Centre in Sydney. The solution, based on Sofware as a Service (SaaS) or ‘cloud’ model, includes mobile applications for IOS and Android and is integrated to MYOB, Xero and a number of web-2-print solutions and is available on a subscription service based on the modules included and number of users.

“This allows users to benefit from a turnkey solution for a fixed rental price, with everything included – software, any modifications required, and support from one of our senior print consultants,” Kumar says. 

“The benefits of using a cloud-based solution are many – chief among them is the ability to access information anytime, anywhere, plus it also saves about 30% in infrastructure costs, because users do not have to invest in maintaining an expensive Local and Wide Area Network.”

The software has a number of core functions designed to streamline processes. These include estimating; creation of job bags, invoices, purchase orders, packing labels and shipping documents; capture of employee time including actual cost versus estimated; exporting of reports to Excel and debtor and creditor management. Management can define who has access to each level of the system.

Specific modules which will be featured at the show including the Wide-Format Quoting Module and the new Label & Carton Packaging Module, which will be demonstrated for the first time at Visual Impact.

“The Label Module features a knife register, which allows knives to be listed by size, type, colour and codes, automatic selection of the optimally-sized cylinder for each job, automatic repeat length calculation, and quantity-based press selection,” Kumar says. “For cartons, the features are similar, with input for interlocking designs and a stock grain direction selection.”

The Wide-Format Quoting Module supports both roll-fed and flat-bed devices and has a range of handy functions which will be of particular interest to the many visitors from the sign, display and large-format industries attending the Visual Impact Expo. 

“Operators can define the area to be used – whether that’s image area, full stock width or full machine bed width – when calculating for speed, and also specify multiple print modes, each with their own individual speeds and make-ready set,” Kumar explains. 

“Multiple products can be included in the one quote, then converted into individual jobs linked by a common reference code, making production and total job tracking easy,” he adds.

Importantly, all Quote & Print’s solutions are designed on a modular basis, so companies can purchase the complete package, or just the modules that suit their business and budgets.

“For new users and those migrating from a legacy system, this might be the majority of modules,” Kumar explains. “A smaller print business may budget to buy and implement one or two modules each year. Whatever their requirements, this modular strategy means we can provide the right functionality and ROI for each business…and then work with them to tailor the system as their needs grow and change.”

Visit Quote & Print for a demonstration on Stand F30 at Visual Impact. The company will be one of more than 90 exhibitors who will display their latest innovations at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from 3-5 May 2023. Click here to register or go to visualimpact.org.au for more information 

SA International (SAi), the leading provider of software solutions for professional signmaking, wide-format digital printing and CAD/CAM machining industries, has launched a reconfigured and enlarged Adendo, comprising a comprehensive range of learning and development services for SAi Flexi users in the United States and Canada. The new program provides online and in-person training as well as an enhanced Flexi User Community under the Adendo umbrella. Leading the new training initiative is Mark Rugen, who returns to SAi as Managing Director of Learning & Development. Adendo comprises three major components. On-line training; live virtual or on-site training; and the Flexi User Community.

The online “e-course” offering includes extended, pre-recorded, self-paced training modules. These videos are designed for experienced operators, or as initial training for new users of Flexi or EnRoute.

The present offering includes free courses such as “Designing Vehicle Wraps in Flexi,” and “Antivirus Software and Flexi” as well as comprehensive courses including “Learn Flexi in 3-Hours,” “Full Flexi Training with Mark Rugen,” and “EnRoute Basics.” These courses will form the foundation of a resource that will grow as other courses are added

The “Virtual Training” option enables companies to book multiple live online training sessions from 30-minutes to several hours as needed. Personal instruction, videos, problem-solving and specific issues can be discussed and solved. Virtual training offers the convenience of online instruction with one-to-one personalised training.

Adendo advisors are able to assist users with new software versions, applications and equipment types, catering to Flexi users. For example, there are expert advisors in vehicle wraps and vinyl cutting, graphic design and 2D, 2.5D and 3D design. Output device specific training can be tailored to printers from HP, Mimaki, Mutoh, Roland, and others.

On-site training – where it’s needed, when it’s needed

On-site training is ideal for larger companies or those with a particular training requirement. These are tailored to the business’ specific needs and offer a high level of personalised instruction right in the users’ shop.

Finally, the new Flexi User Community is a private, professional subscription-based user group ($9.99/month) that provides the opportunity to share best practices with other Flexi users online, discuss approaches to applications, explore new techniques, and ask questions of expert users and SAi staff. Designed to be more insightful than standard social media groups, this community is monitored by market mentors, expert advisors and professional users of Flexi, EnRoute and more. The Flexi User community offers an exclusive level of information, interaction, and training. Members also have access to downloads, videos and webinars not available elsewhere. Flexi Community members enjoy significant discounts on on-line courses.

“The new Adendo learning and development program is a unique offering in the signmaking sector and puts a wealth of training materials into the hands of SAi Flexi users,” says Mark Rugen. “Adendo is designed to make high-quality training available to the Flexi community and foster continuous improvement and business growth.” 

thinksai.com

Starleaton plans to showcase its broad expertise at Visual Impact in Sydney, with a range of versatile and sustainable solutions that represent ‘worlds best practice’ in advanced manufacturing, waste reduction and recyclability, including the new Canon Colorado M with white ink which will make its Australian debut at the show.

The company, which services sign, display, print and a range of related industries in the wider manufacturing space, will be showcasing a wide range of systems, equipment and media at Visual Impact.

According to Marketing Manager, Ines Eaton, sustainability is perhaps the most vital driver for businesses into the future, both in terms of environmental performance and profitability. 

“Visitors will be able to see advanced and efficient solutions at Visual Impact including Neschen laminating machines, imaging devices including Canon Colorado and Epson wide-format printers, and Zünd cutting systems and software for cutting, routing and engraving,” Eaton says. 

“Plus, we’ll demonstrate an extensive range of sustainable media and materials and show how all elements can be tied together into a smart, automated and sustainable workflow,” she adds.

Leading the line-up will be the Canon Colorado M5W large-format (1.6m) roll-to-roll UVgel printer with white ink option, which is totally new to the market here in Australia. 

“This printer is sure to generate a lot of interest with its exceptional quality and productivity across a spectacular range of applications,” Eaton says. 

“The Colorado M range is already well  established as a go-to solution for meeting even the most demanding customer requests, and now with Canon’s unique UVgel technology extending to white ink, it’s possible to get outstanding results on an even wider range of substrates, at speeds up to three times faster than competitive printers."

Also included in the range of solutions to be demonstrated at the show are the Epson SureColor R5000 64” resin printer featuring the new Epson UltraChrome RS ink and the 76” Epson SureColor F10060 dye-sublimation for everything from soft signage to garment printing and home décor items.

“We will also be showcasing Neenah Coldenhove transfer paper for dye-sublimation transfer printing, which we will be demonstrating in action on the Epson F10060 printer,” she says. “Coldenhove transfer paper offers unsurpassed transfer yield, reducing waste to a minimum and helping you save on sublimation inks.”

The Neschen ColdLam 1650 will complement the printer range with an ideal solution for mounting and laminating work on a very wide range of materials, in widths up to 1650mm, while the Zünd G3 digital cutter will demonstrate how businesses can tailor a cutting, routing and engraving solution to meet their specific production needs.

“We will have a team of experts on hand to chat to businesses about how they can use these, and other, solutions to create their own ‘micro factories’ that will enable them to streamline their production, cut costs and maximise profitability, as well as meet their sustainability goals,” Eaton says.

As visitors would expect from Starleaton, media will also be a highlight of the company’s showcase and Eaton says, once again, sustainability will be a key focus. As well as PVC-free and eco-friendly options from Neschen and others, some new partnerships are also to be announced at the show.

Visitors will find Starleaton on Stand C15, right in the centre of the show which opens at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from 3-5 May 2023. Click here to register or go to visualimpact.org.au for more information.

So you own an Inca Onset HS X3 or some such equivalent printer, all day every day you print POS display panels and corrugated board, you want a cutter to load those materials from a pallet, trim, cut, crease or otherwise convert them, and then stack them, accurately, back on to another pallet. Oh, by the way, you want that all done fast, fully unattended, overnight even.

That’s what the new Zünd Q-Line with BHS180 delivers. Always available lights-off unattended cutting.

The new Q-Line is the fastest ever Zünd. That speed has been made possible by making the heavy bits that don’t move out of steel and concrete, and the light bits that move a lot out of carbon fibre, unleashing - with the aid of linear drive motors - cutting speeds of up to 2.8 metres per second, gantry acceleration of up to 2.1g and cutting pressures of up to 50kg.

If the Zünd G3 and the dual gantry D3 were, and remain still, the versatile ultra flexible workhorses of the Zünd range, then the new Q-Line is the shiny new hyper performance specialist of the family.

If you’re at all serious about the digital cutting of graphics and packaging, then the new Q-Line is a must see, because Zünd have just rewritten the rulebook of digital cutting, and I predict their competitors - all of them - are going to be playing catchup for some time to come.

So that’s my opinion. Here’s what Zünd themselves have to say…

Zünd Q-Line with BHS180

Zünd, the leading manufacturer of digital cutting technology, is expanding its machine portfolio with a powerful system solution. The company has raised the bar for industrial, pallet-to-pallet production with the new Q-Line with BHS180 Board Handling System and UNDERCAM. Its smart machine-control technology and high level of automation make the Q-Line with BHS180 the leading digital cutting solution in its class.

Zünd is further expanding its portfolio of powerful digital cutting solutions. The new Q-Line with BHS180 complements Zünd's current offering and raises the bar for industrial, efficient, pallet-to-pallet production. The new Q-Line with BHS180 board handling system is an integrated system solution. It is specifically intended for the demands of highly automated, industrial finishing of printed boards for displays and packaging. The individual components – board feeder with UNDERCAM, the new Q-Line cutter generation, and the off-load unit – are optimally coordinated and provide previously unattainable levels of productivity. Together, they offer incredible cutting accuracy and reliability. Consequently, they make it easier than ever for packaging and display manufacturers to automate their cutting operations and achieve maximum efficiency. In doing so, the Q-Line with BHS180 helps manufacturers optimize their production processes and increase their overall productivity.

A new machine concept for the ultimate in performance

The Q-Line with BHS180 is a comprehensive, advanced system solution that takes digital production to a new level. It offers exceptional performance for any display and packaging manufacturer. Each component of this advanced digital cutting system is replete with exciting new features. In combination, they enable an unsupervised, uninterrupted production workflow and provide users with an enormous potential for savings, irrespective of company size. The bottom line is that this constitutes an investment that can help customers sustainably improve their competitive edge.

The all-new machine concept behind the Q-Line with BHS180 has redefined performance in many respects. Working together, the new machine components generate an impressive speed of up to 2.8 m/s. The new substructure for Q-Line cutters is made from extremely stable concrete. It ensures incredibly smooth operation and optimum cutting precision, even at extremely high speeds. The beams are made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, which makes them very light and exceedingly strong. This means even demanding materials can be processed at top speeds and the highest quality levels. Unprecedented performance also manifests itself in various other aspects, including in the impressive acceleration of up to 2.1g made possible by

The Q-Line with BHS180 comes with the latest generation of modules and tools. AUTOMO L is all about force and provides a creasing pressure of up to 50 kg. This makes it the perfect carrier module for creasing with large crease wheels such as the CRETO 150. AUTOMO E excels particularly in the speed in which it lowers and lifts the tools in use. Each beam is equipped with a total of four modules: two AUTOMO E modules, one AUTOMO L, and one fixed INCAM sensor module to capture registration marks, QR codes, and material edges.

The tools

UNITO is the tool used with centered and off-centered drag knives and is suitable for processing materials up to 5 mm thick. ELOSTO is available in two different variations for cutting operations requiring electric motor-driven oscillation. If creasing wheels are to be used, CRETO is the required tool. CRETO 24, CRETO 61, and CRETO 150 differ slightly in their design and can accommodate crease wheels of different types and diameters. PERTO is the tool used in conjunction with perforating wheels. DRAWTO is for marking and drawing on an extremely wide range of materials.

Digital tool management

The new tool-management system for Q-Line with BHS180 makes digital finishing more efficient than ever before. Q-Line cutters come standard with an automatic tool-changing system. The TOMAC Tool Management Client takes care of tool management from start to finish, ensuring easy and, above all, automated processes. Tool management digitally links the tools with presets, which saves valuable time in setup and tool changes.

Automated pallet-to-pallet production

The Q-Line with BHS180 removes bottlenecks in digital cutting by eliminating the need for manual material handling. Automatic material transport from pallet to pallet maximizes the productivity of the production workflow and prevents idle time.

A customizable, transparent production workflow also ensures smooth and reliable order processing. The system captures the information stored for each job using QR codes and thus ensures an intelligent, error-free, QR code-based production workflow. It enables processing a variety of different jobs in the stack. Processing begins automatically.

The UNDERCAM integrated in the board feeder captures the precise location of the image printed on the board. It reliably identifies any distortions in the print, compensates for them, and perfectly matches the cut to the print every time. With every scan, the software adjusts the cut paths to the printed image, on the fly and in real time, significantly reducing the cycle time for each job.

During the feeding process, sensors capture the edges of the material, and the board is correctly aligned. If the board is not within tolerance, the board feeder grabs the board once more and realigns it so that it can be fed onto the cutter without interruption. This allows even imperfectly stacked materials to be processed, which further streamlines the production workflow. To ensure reliable board and sheet separation, redeveloped suction cups can be individually adjusted for different materials via Zünd Cut Center – ZCC.

The innovative design of the off-load unit allows bridge-free cut boards to be stacked easily and cleanly. Different jobs are stacked slightly offset, which enables finished jobs to be easily and neatly removed for downstream processing. Any faulty boards are also set aside with an offset and can easily be detected as the pallet is removed.

The new Q-Line with BHS180 is an all-in-one solution. In addition to the hardware, it also comprises a complete set of services, intuitive and straightforward software, such as the latest Zünd Cut Center – ZCC operating software, Version 4.0, or the Zünd Connect production monitoring and analyzing tool, as well as a wide selection of consumables. All components were developed with a consistent focus on maximizing machine performance and productivity while decreasing setup times. And first and foremost, they have already been extensively and successfully tested by various beta customers, ensuring outstanding results at maximum speeds.

Cutter sizes

In an initial phase, the new Q-Line with BHS180 is available as a dual-beam system in three different sizes. Users select the appropriate machine size for their specific requirements, no matter whether their production involves one-offs, small batches, or high-volume orders. The Zünd Cutter Q 32-32 D has a working width of 3.2 m, the Q 22-32 D a working width of 2.2 m, and the Q 18-32 D a working width of 1.8 m.

www.zund.com

If you think you’re one of the country’s best wrappers…or you are keen to see the industry’s best slog it out in the ultimate wrap championship, don’t miss the HEXIS World Wrap Battle heats at Visual Impact Sydney next month.

 “The Wrap Battle was originally conceived to showcase and encourage achievement in our industry, and it’s quickly become one of the highlights at Visual Impact and PacPrint expos,” says Ian Parsonson, Managing Director of HEXIS Australia. 

“The daily contests always draw great crowds and create plenty of excitement, with four competitors in the ring for fast and furious 15-minute challenges – and, with winners of the eventual grand final vying for an all-expenses paid trip to New Zealand to compete in the trans-Tasman competition, it’s’ sure to be hotly contested this year.”

Each day of the show, which runs from Wednesday 3 May until Friday 5 May, will see three rounds – at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 12 noon and 1pm on Friday – where four contestants will be asked to wrap a panel of the HEXIS “Battle Shield”…using high-end HEXIS products, of course.

Daily champions will then compete in a showdown at 1.30pm on Friday to determine which two will win a trip to New Zealand with airfares, accommodation and meals paid, to compete against their Kiwi counterparts at NZ’s leading trade show in early July.

Parsonson says there are still a few places left for wrap specialists to pit their skills against the industry’s finest but, with such a great prize up for grabs, remaining spots are expected to fill fast. To register your interest in one of the remaining places, contact Michael Punch on 0448 274 211 or at michael_punch@signs.org.au

“HEXIS will also be exhibiting on Stand F12 at the show, where we will feature an expanded range of innovations in the BodyFence PPF range of transparent adhesive vehicle protection films, with demonstrations on the stand each day.

“Developed by HEXIS R&D, the BodyFence range is designed to protect against scratches, stone chips, abrasion and UV rays while making vehicles easier to clean by preventing dirt from sticking to the paintwork,” he adds.

HEXIS will be one of more than 90 exhibitors bringing their latest and best to Visual Impact Sydney, which opens at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from 3-5 May 2023. Click here to register or go to visualimpact.org.au for more information 

‘Three-in-one’ solution simplifies complex packaging workflow for start-ups and growing businesses 

Mox, the cloud-based tool specifically developed to help small-to-medium sized consumer brands (SMB) meet the challenges of today’s omnichannel market, is boosting the ability of businesses to scale up with great packaging by delivering the simplicity and streamlined processes they need. 

Launched earlier this year, Mox combines project management with digital proofing and digital asset management (DAM) in one user-friendly solution, taking the complexity out of packaging artwork management and delivering technical know-how to growing businesses. 

“Brand equity and trust is hugely important to young and growing brands,” said Adrian Fernandez, general manager of Mox. “With limited promotional and people resources, emerging brands count on packaging to play a significant role as part of the marketing mix - the fifth P. It is a major component in building that brand equity – but the process of managing the artwork can be complex and cumbersome. Many small businesses and brand teams still rely on emails with file attachments and manually updated spreadsheets for workflow management and collaboration, but with so many elements to keep track of in the omnichannel environment of today this way of working is fraught with danger. 

“It’s too easy to simply lose track of digital assets and team members’ approvals, feedback, and even version histories,” he said. “There are a lot of data points that need collecting during artwork development process, and if the final content is incorrect, or the wrong version is used at the wrong stage, that priceless brand equity is already at risk. 

“When scaling up, it’s vital that businesses realize effective packaging artwork development is an evolving process, involving project management through to artwork review. Ultimately, it is creative collaboration that brings the whole marketing team together,” he said. 

Ensuring accuracy throughout the process is a key element of a recent webinar - Scaling up with Great Packaging – in which Adrian was joined by Megan Young Gamble PMP®, renowned project manager, Packaging Consultant and principal of Get Level Consulting, to discuss how Mox was making years’ of packaging experience and know-how available to growing businesses. 

Megan details the importance of goals, roles, processes and interpersonal relationships - and how establishing these pillars is vital in helping businesses scale up with packaging that reflects the brand and builds that oh-so-valuable equity. 

“Whether you’re a young or growing brand, packaging is a critical element of the marketing mix, playing a large role in building trust and fostering brand loyalty,” Megan said. “But before we can start building our packaging, we need clarity of purpose. Don’t just create your product and then look at the packaging. It is a crucial part of the product and should be considered at the start of the process. 

“In terms of stakeholders, everyone from R&D and product development through marketing, production, sales and procurement will all be involved in the process,” said Megan. “Each of the various aspects of packaging are the responsibility of a stakeholder, so it’s important the cycle of packaging design is transparent, everyone involved has oversight, changes are up to date, and there is only one version of the truth that everyone works to.” 

Adrian added that the more complex the packaging is, the more time needed to design and produce that packaging. “As a business scales up, there are so many different levels to consider. Launch dates might vary in different markets, product shelf life, logistics - all of these can play a part in deciding our path to market,” he said. “It’s foundational that we look at all these core elements, and this is where Mox comes into its own. 

“Everyone starts somewhere, and with so many different files, folders and ways of sharing, collaboration is crucial. Mox standardizes and simplifies these stages and acts as an engine that helps businesses to scale up smoothly.” 

Combining project management with digital proofing and DAM, Mox was created by Esko, the global provider of software and hardware solutions that accelerate the go-to-market process of packaged goods. Mox helps SMBs work more efficiently and to deliver right-first-time packaging and marketing content on time. 

“Great packaging is the result of a team effort with a practical but robust standard process, with coordinated collaboration across disciplines and organizations,” Adrian said. “With Mox, we have been able to use the many years of Esko’s experience with top consumer product companies and their ecosystems to develop a best-practice software tailored to the needs and budget of growing consumer brands, helping them increase productivity, reduce costs, and save time in their packaging and content creation process.”

Watch the Scaling up with Great Packaging webinar now, and discover best practices to help build an efficient collaboration process for packaging and artwork development. 

Want to try Mox for yourself? Request a free 30-day trial by clicking here 

Or to explore the benefits of Mox for your business, click here and complete the simple form to be put in touch with a Mox expert.

The Roland DG stand at Visual Impact Sydney will provide the first chance for industry professionals to see the expanded TrueVIS product lineup, which now includes resin, UV and eco-solvent models. Showcased alongside a host of other popular options, these debuts will ensure the show’s Platinum Sponsor and largest stand holder will create plenty of interest when doors open in a couple of weeks’ time.

New models, which include the LG and MG Series UV printer-cutters and the company’s very first water-based resin ink printer, the AP-640, will be demonstrated alongside established models like the TrueVIS SG3 and VG3 Series which have proven so popular with businesses around the world.

“The AP-640 printer is a genuine game-changer, and we are looking forward to showing visitors to Visual Impact the way it can provide natural expressiveness that takes advantage of the media texture to give an outstanding imaging result, while also providing added peace of mind with its environmentally-friendly credentials,” explains Greg Stone, Product & Marketing Manager for Roland DG.

“We’re also excited to be showcasing the new LG and MG series UV models, which enable high-definition output and special printing capabilities including three-dimensional expressions for tactile applications. 

“This approach is increasingly popular with print buyers who want to add functionality, for applications like braille, or a haptic dimension such as adding texture to artwork reproductions,” Stone says.

The TrueVIS now features ten models with more than 28,000 users worldwide, and Stone says Roland DG is exited to demonstrate to visitors the ‘industry-leading’ quality of printing and reliability at the show.

“As well as the new TrueVIS models, we’ll also be showcasing the new VersaOBJECT CO Series flatbeds for customers who are looking to take object customisation to new heights, plus a number of other perennially popular products including the VersaUV LEF2 series benchtop UV printers and the VersaSTUDIO BN-20 series printer cutters,” Stone adds.

Roland DG will be on Stand E4, right inside the front entrance to the show, joining more than 90 exhibitors at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from 3-5 May 2023. Click here to register or go to visualimpact.org.au for more information. 

• NEW PRINTABLE COATED CAVITATED BRILLIANT WHITE GLOSS FILM
• MADE FOR SELF ADHESIVE LABEL APPLICATIONS
• COMPLIES WITH EU FOOD CONTACT REGULATIONS

Combining the best of both worlds: Innovia Films has recently applied their surface technology to their material science, by developing a uniquely engineered printable coated cavitated BOPP facestock film, Rayoface™ AQBSA.  Designed for pressure sensitive labelling (PSL) applications, the film is 58 microns thick, has a printable top-coating, and an adhesive receptive coated surface on the reverse side.  

“AQBSA is suitable for use within a wide range of market segments such as Household and Personal Care, Food and Beverage, and other consumer packaged goods sectors”, explains Lucija Kralj, Business Unit Director Labels. “The 5-layer technology in the cavitated base film, means AQBSA is a high-performance product that gives both superb economics and a high yield.”

With an extremely high opacity of 91%, Rayoface™ AQBSA provides a brilliant white surface, and even after top-coatings, has EU food contact compliance.

The enhanced coating technology of Innovia Films means AQBSA provides the off-press ink adhesion label printing requires, as well as the print and cold-foiling appearance the PSL market demands.  

This film has already undergone in-depth trialling and shown excellent results throughout the PSL supply chain and is available immediately.

To find out more contact your local Innovia Films Sales Manager or email labels@innoviafilms.com

Roland DG Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and printer cutters worldwide, announced today the launch of a new VersaOBJECT brand of products capable of printing brilliant colour directly on a wide variety of three-dimensional objects. The lineup adds six CO models to its series of large-format UV-LED flatbed inkjet printers, four with fixed flatbed tables and two with belt systems, providing users with a host of options. 

Nordmeccanica, a world leader in the manufacture of coating, laminating and metallising technology, is the latest strategic partner announced by Fujifilm to further deliver production benefits for customers of its upcoming Jet Press FP790 digital inkjet flexible packaging solution.

This latest partnership agreement with Nordmeccanica follows recent announcements of alliances with HYBRID Software and Henkel Adhesive Technologies, and marks another milestone in Fujifilm’s drive to partner with leading suppliers and technology experts for its Jet Press FP790 press, from across the flexible packaging industry.

The partner organisations have worked closely to complete a series of test production trials to assess compatibility of output from Fujifilm’s Jet Press FP790 digital inkjet press, for the flexible food packaging sector. The most recent involved working with Nordmeccanica’s Simplex range of two-layer laminating machines for solvent-less adhesives, which took place at Henkel’s test laboratory.

Explains Raynald Barillot, Category Manager, Digital Packaging at Fujifilm Graphic Communications EMEA, “The clear objective for our new FP790 has been to offer customers an inkjet press that not only produces the best possible printed output, but that delivers on its potential from day one, for a quicker return on investment. For that to be possible, it’s essential for it to work seamlessly with existing best-in-class technologies – be that front-end software, substrates & adhesives or post-press solutions.

“By collaborating with renowned and leading manufacturers of pre-press and post-press technologies, we can clearly demonstrate that our new Jet Press FP790 is fully compatible and integrates effortlessly into existing production environments offering a ‘plug and play’ digital solution that delivers the highest quality finished packaging with minimal testing, training or setup.”

Michele Zanutto, R&D and Technology Director at Nordmeccanica is also excited by the opportunity that Fujifilm’s new Jet Press FP790 water-based digital inkjet press offers packaging converters in terms of presenting a true sustainable production workflow. Says Zanutto, “The flexible packaging market is constantly looking at ways to improve its environmental footprint, while still addressing the requirements of its customers for quality, functional and creative packaging solutions."

He continues, “The environmental benefits of Fujifilm’s new digital water-based press, combined with Henkel’s solvent-free adhesives and our solvent-less lamination technology, completes a ‘closed loop’ in terms of delivering a truly sustainable and environmentally friendly production environment. In addition, it will enable packaging converters to remain compliant with the increasingly stringent environmental regulations that are now commonplace throughout our industry.”

Fujifilm’s new Jet Press FP790 digital inkjet flexible packaging solution will feature on Fujifilm’s stand F65 in Hall 8a at interpack 2023, together with test samples of output completed using Nordmeccanica’s Simplex range of solvent-less laminators.

The Agfa-Gevaert Group has successfully completed the sale of its Offset Solutions division to the alternative investment firm AURELIUS Group.

Under the terms of the share purchase agreement with AURELIUS Group, the Agfa-Gevaert Group will continue to provide certain consumables (including film) and services to its former division.

“The sale of our Offset Solutions division is an important step in our transformation journey. I want to thank all Offset Solutions employees for their professionalism, dedication and loyalty over the years and wish them all the best in the future. I am confident that with AURELIUS, they will continue a track record of innovation and leadership. In turn, this transaction will allow Agfa to focus on other growing market segments, which is crucial for our future success,” said Pascal Juéry, President and CEO of the Agfa-Gevaert Group.