by DPS Magazine Staff
Leading up to the scheduled drupa 2020, COVID-19 forced a new course. From April 20 to 23, 2021 Messe Düsseldorf invited the global print and packaging community to meet at virtual.drupa. The event featured a conference area, networking plaza, and exhibition space, all designed to promote education and connections.
Above: Photo Credit: Maximilian Beck. From April 20 to 23, 2021, the global print and packaging community met at virtual.drupa, which featured a conference area, networking plaza, and exhibition space to promote knowledge transfer and networking and to activate business.
Many vendors opted to showcase and introduce new equipment and technologies during the online event.
BlueCrest
BlueCrest featured its latest end-to-end print and mail workflow solutions, including the new Evolujet cutsheet color inkjet print technology. A live demonstration enabled virtual show visitors to witness the Evolujet’s print quality and productivity, outlining the system’s suitability for operations using monochrome or color toner printing technology and can benefit from moving to high-quality, more cost-effective inkjet. The Evolujet is the latest component in the BlueCrest technology portfolio, which continues to evolve with one objective in mind—delivering end-to-end, client-focused solutions. INFO#270
Durrer
Durrer Spezialmaschinen AG’s digital printing machines print, number, and varnish different materials and formats. The machines change over quickly and are well suited for small print runs and personalized products. Durrer machines contribute to efficient and optimized production processes worldwide, offering equipment that punches, sorts, binds, numbers, prints, varnishes, and assembles jobs reliably and accurately in fully or semi-automatic configurations. INFO# 271
EFI
EFI offered a session on industrial growth opportunities for print professionals leveraging advanced, integrated technologies. It also unveiled the EFI Pro 30h UV LED hybrid flatbed/roll-to-roll printer. INFO# 272
Esko
Esko and Asahi Photoproducts unveiled their next-generation, automated flexographic platemaking line, CrystalCleanConnect. The collaboration offers a number of advantages from design to print, bringing together key hardware and software technologies from both organizations to deliver a cleaner, more environmentally balanced operation. Esko also demonstrated its Automation Engine workflow solution, which is available for the first time as a Software-as-a-Service solution. INFO# 273
Global Graphics
Global Graphics shared its first product co-developed by all group companies. Global Graphics Software, HYBRID Software, Meteor Inkjet, and Xitron collaborated to create a smart digital front end (DFE) for labels and packaging applications to transform the role of the digital press in the smart print factory of the future. The SmartDFE is designed to be part of a fully automated manufacturing solution supporting Industry 4.0 telematics and MIS integration, plus connectivity with automated manufacturing lines via OPC UA. It brings together the creation of optimized print-ready PDF files; workflow and job automation to connect with enterprise IT systems; RIPping; screening; optimized image quality; and, via Harlequin Direct, it drives the print data directly to the printheads at high speeds through Meteor software and electronics or through Xitron’s Navigator DFE platform. INFO# 274
GMG
GMG presented a session titled, Digital Packaging Production: Increase Profitability with Ink- and Channel-Saving Technology. Attendees learned how to achieve greater productivity with innovative color management. The company also demonstrated its entire product line including Prototype Proofing from GMG, GMG ColorServer Multicolor, and GMG ColorServer Digital. INFO# 275
Hybrid Software
Hybrid Software encouraged attendees to digitalize print production with its prepress applications. Is your upstream production for digital label and package printing ready? How about controlling the increasing order volumes and optimizing customer files for shorter runs? Are you meeting the demands of brand packaging with variable data printing or optimizing for reduced waste, unnecessary costs, and decentralized production? Hybrid Software’s full line of solutions designed to help graphics companies in both traditional print and in transferring efforts to digital printing were demonstrated, including Hybrid Software’s CLOUDFLOW workflow, PACKZ, Stepz editor, as well as integration products offer a unique set of advantages that include native PDF workflows, vendor-independent solutions based on industry standards, scalable technology, and low cost of ownership. These products are used by more than a thousand customers worldwide in all areas of prepress and print, including labels and packaging, folding cartons, corrugated, wide format, and digital printing. INFO# 276
ISRA Vision
ISRA Vision presented its portfolio of inline print inspection systems for flexible packaging, printed corrugated board, metal sheets, and security printing as well as inspection systems for unprinted film and its data analytics software, which enables printing companies to unlock their potential in production management, product optimization, and process efficiency. The company also provided insight on the latest and upcoming innovations such as ColorSTAR, the absolute color measurement system; CartonSTAR inspection for digitally printed corrugated boards; its latest camera technology; and a preview of new product developments. INFO# 277
Kodak
Kodak highlighted its portfolio of offset, digital, and software solutions. Among the products shown, the KODAK PROSPER ULTRA 520 Digital Press. The machine is developed to redefine inkjet production printing and close the gap with offset. Utilizing KODAK ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technology, this web press prints near-offset quality images across a range of commercial print substrates using water-based KODAK inks. Additionally, the UTECO Sapphire EVO W Press was displayed. Powered by KODAK ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technology, it is the first digital press for flexible packaging to match the productivity of flexographic and the quality of gravure. Kodak also highlighted the Sapphire EVO M Press, powered by KODAK Stream Technology, which has been successfully established in the growing packaging market. Attendees could also access information on the KODAK NEXFINITY Digital Press, which offers sheet-fed flexibility for substrates, sheet sizes, and thicknesses along with production using a wide selection of special inks in its Fifth Imaging Unit. Further, the company highlighted KODAK PRINERGY On Demand Business Solutions, a fully integrated and managed business software portfolio including MIS/ERP, ecommerce, and collaboration applications. INFO# 278
Komori
Komori shared the concept of Connected Automation, highlighting the benefits gained from automating individual processes to reduce operations’ touchpoints and create a smarter printing environment for both commercial printing and packaging production. Participants could view innovative solutions, including KP-Connect Pro, an open platform system that allows printers to connect to various manufacturers and vendors so they can link to and integrate both existing and new devices. In addition, Komori showcased its seven-color, 40-inch Impremia NS40 digital press as it works in conjunction with KP-Connect Pro in the company’s 30-minute commercial print session. Komori’s packaging session focused on showcasing its fully automated presses in its new Advance Series, designed to allow for quick changeovers to accommodate the short-run demand in this market. INFO# 279
Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta showcased its production and industrial machine portfolios, embellishment, software, consultancy, and services. With a key focus on helping customers with their digital transformation, its content addressed the gap between technical innovations of an evolving digital world and the strengths and values of print. Konica Minolta’s advanced software and hardware systems are linked to provide full automation to support a more efficient workflow from an initial order through to finished product. A web session included web to print with AccurioPro Flux, print control room with AccurioPro Dashboard, AccurioPress C4080 Series and C14000 Series toner cutsheet devices—together with Konica Minolta’s range of inline finishing systems. Another web session showcased workflows for Konica Minolta’s AccurioJET KM-1e LED UV inkjet color production press. The company also highlighted technology advances across the MGI JETVarnish systems. These range across entry-level machines through to B1 devices and were covered in an adjacent web session. A labels and packaging web session helped to spotlight Konica Minolta’s AccurioLabel 230 toner label press and PKG-675i corrugated packaging press, with an additional session on the MOTIONCUTTER digital laser system. INFO# 280
Muller Martini
Muller Martini showcased five new machines, a Sigma Line III digital book block solution, an Allegro perfect binder, a Publica Pro perfect binder, a Ventura MC 160 sewing machine, and the Diamant MC digital bookline. INFO# 281
Nanografix
Nanografix celebrated its history of manufacturing and industry innovation. Over 35 years ago, the mission of Nanografix was born—creating security holographic labels, shrink sleeves, foils, packaging materials, and security solutions for all industries. Its mission and vision were born out of founder and CEO Dan Lieberman’s expertise and passion for micro-embossing optical structures. Having secured several patents in this area, Lieberman introduced a premium holographic security solution to the market. Thanks to his knowledge and expertise, Lieberman introduced a novel universe of holography and has since worked to introduce it to the world. The printing industry has been looking to print unique variable identifiers that can’t be copied and feature optical variable encrypted information readable by smart phones. Nanografix Corporation has a new international patented technology that not only does this, but can also be installed on any printing press. INFO# 282
Nestro
The arrival of the Internet of Things and Services within paper and corrugated cardboard industry plants is making relevant information available by interlinking to all partners participating in value creation in real time whilst monitoring the value flow. This is accelerating processes, changing routines, and advancing the individualization of the end products. Setting up, standing and maintenance times, as well as energy efficiency or recycling rates/qualities all increasingly require managerial attention. Nestro supports these challenges, providing optimum working conditions. Its systems suck-up dust and waste on inline machines and continuously cut border strips to length in an energy efficient manner and help to produce ideal quality with reduced stoppage times. The systems transport, shred, cut, store, and compress waste materials as needed. INFO# 283
OQ
OQ illustrated its propyls product portfolio and highlighted how propyls enable a more stable process with fewer adjustments, help achieve savings in terms of solvent and ink consumption, and replace conventional solvents in rotogravure or flexographic printing processes—without any further investment. INFO# 284
swissQprint
swissQprint showcased three innovations including the speed model of the Karibu UV roll-to-roll printer. It produces high-quality results at an elevated productivity of up to 3,552 square feet per hour, supported by unique features for high efficiency. Secondly, the company highlighted the option for automatic double-sided printing with Karibu. The new option enables automated, precise, and reliable output of double-sided media in roll-to-roll printing—blockout banners, ceiling hangers, stretch banners, and posters. The third innovation is neon inks for UV printing to produce the prints that even glow in the dark. INFO# 285
Valloy Inc.
Valloy Inc. unveiled an innovative premium digital label cutter, DUOBLADE WX. This product is an all-in-one label finisher providing most of the required functions for label finishing like cutting, lamination, matrix removal, slitting, and sheet cutting. The biggest difference from other label finishers is intelligent process control during automatic job changing. CCD camera recognizes the BIZPRESS 13R label press and auto sheet-fed, die-cutter DUOBLADE F is with DUOBLADE WX. INFO# 286
X-Rite
X-Rite featured end-to-end color connected solutions for print and packaging workflows. X-Rite features iPro 3 Family, a next-generation profiling and calibration solution for creating color profiles for a variety of substrates; IntelliTrax2 Pro and eXact Auto-Scan Pro automated scanning solutions that enable packaging converters to integrate with ColorCert for instant feedback on job performance, improved quality control reporting, and Idealliance G7 Press Control Certification; ColorCert quality assurance software for use across prepress, the inkroom, and production process control to provide one common workflow for color communication across internal and external stakeholders; and InkFormulation software. INFO# 287
virtual.drupa
Although drupa 2020, and then 2021 couldn’t take place as planned, Messe Düsseldorf virtually presented the printing and packaging industry with a wealth of essential information. dps
May2021, DPS Magazine
