by DPS Magazine Staff
This Spring, the print industry focused its attention to Drupa, which took place from May 28 to June 7, 2024. According to the trade fair’s host, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, the 11-day event drew 1,643 exhibitors. The international share of the visitors was 80 percent, with attendees coming from 174 countries. The organization says that after Europe, Asia was the most strongly represented region with 22 percent, followed by America with 12 percent. “Asia as well as Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa region are markets with great growth potential, which was reflected in the significant increase in exhibitors’ presence and order books,” states Messe Düsseldorf.
Above: Drupa 2024 took place from May 28 to June 27, 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Photo credit: © Messe Düsseldorf
Here we offer some highlights from the event in the areas of inkjet, finishing, and workflow. Visit dpsmagazine.com for more event coverage.
Inkjet
In the digital print space, many inkjet developments were shown and introduced.
Anytron introduced its latest technological innovations, including the extended version of the ANY-JET II Plus inline digital label printer. INFO# 310
Canon U.S.A., Inc. announced an expansion of its production inkjet portfolio and entry into the B2 Sheetfed Inkjet Press market with the Canon varioPRESS iV7. The press is capable of producing 8,700 B2 4/0 sheets per hour and printing up to 4.5 million B2 images per month. INFO# 311
DuPont launched its PN 1000 ink series, a set of low viscosity water-based pigment inkjet inks designed for commercial printing, formulated with proprietary DuPont technology, and compatible with industry standard drying technologies. INFO# 312
Gallus Group, a subsidiary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, announced its new concept, the “System to Compose,” which addresses current and evolving market needs and provides a lifeline for label printers, unlocking a host of new options across its portfolio. INFO# 313
Graph-Tech USA introduced the eZ-Inkjet 64, a bichrome digital printing system that prints in two colors, usually black and white. INFO# 314
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and Canon announced a global sales and service cooperation in inkjet printing, with a joint focus on supporting commercial print businesses striving to establish hybrid offset/digital production to meet changing print buyer needs and increase capability to handle shorter runs of more diverse jobs. Heidelberg expands its technology portfolio by introducing an inkjet product family based on the newly announced Canon B2 sheetfed inkjet press and the well established B3 sheetfed inkjet press. INFO# 315
Kodak unveiled a range of new solutions for digital and traditional print production. The new KODAK OPTIMAX Pre-coater enables efficient inline or offline application of primer to substrates for production inkjet printing. Additionally, from the portfolio of the new KODAK Finishing Solutions, developed and manufactured by Kodak, the PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press was featured inline with roll-to-roll and roll-to-fold solutions. INFO# 316
Koenig & Bauer presented its product portfolio and numerous digital innovations at drupa. The VariJET 106 digital folding carton printing press from the Koenig & Bauer Durst joint venture was presented for the first time. INFO# 317
Komori Corporation unveiled the new 29-inch sheetfed UV inkjet digital Printing press, the J-throne 29. With a printing speed of 6,000 sheets per hour for single-sided printing, the J-throne broadens Komori’s digital press portfolio, which already includes the Impremia IS29s, a 29-inch sheetfed UV inkjet digital printing system, and the Impremia NS40, a 40-inch Sheetfed Nanographic Printing System. The newly developed UV ink provides printing capability on a range of substrates such as coated and uncoated paper and paperboards without pre-treating. INFO# 318
Konica Minolta exhibited for the first time its AccurioJet 60000, a B2 high-speed UV inkjet press. The company also featured the AlphaJET, an integrated line from printing to finishing. INFO# 319
Finishing
Many finishing advancements were also displayed on the show floor.
Baumer hhs showcased its Side Seam Gluing Solution, featuring the use of high-performance application heads for bottom gluing in the production of straight-line boxes as well as Xcheck DCM for monitoring product mix-ups in sheetfed die cutters using 2D codes. INFO# 320
BOBST announced its latest solutions and strategic partnerships to help shape the future of packaging and contribute to a new era in this space where the entire production line is connected. It highlighted a range of technologies including DIGITAL MASTER 55, BOBST Connect, BOBST’s Digital Front End (DFE) 3.0, BOBST ACCUCHECK, Thalia ink, MASTERCUT 165 PER, and BOBST MASTER RS 6003. INFO# 321
BW Converting, formerly BW Converting Solutions, launched an updated branding identity on the heels of incorporating leading print and industrial technology company Baldwin into its roster. INFO# 322
Duplo expanded its B2 portfolio with the launch of two major products in North America—the DuSense DDC-8000 B2 Raised Spot UV Coater and the DSM-1000 B2 Platen Die Cutter. INFO# 323
EMT demonstrated its modular Chameleon finishing line, which includes unwinding, DP22 PRO dynamic perf and punch continuous-feed processor line that supports digital printing applications and press materials with high-speed performance and enhanced flexibility with up to ten processes in the same machine, and an RFX cut-stack solution. INFO# 324
Hönle announced that the group’s individual companies have been consolidated into an organization with three business units—the BU Adhesive Systems, the BU Disinfection, and the BU Curing. INFO# 325
Horizon brought and showcased over 450 pieces of equipment. Its booth featured 18 systems, collaborated with more than partners, and had more than 100 direct Horizon employees at the show. INFO# 326
Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems revealed its newest automation innovation, which boasts a significantly larger vacuum plenum plate and several new features that minimize setup and the need for manual adjustments. The upgraded Kongsberg Feeder & Stacker v1.2 helps reduce downtime and enable faster turnaround to boost throughput. INFO# 327
MGI highlighted the AlphaJET, the first Digital Printing Factory 5.0. In one pass, this solution is able to print in CMYK 1,600×1,600 dpi; apply a protective varnish; a 2D/3D spot UV varnish in fixed or variable data; and 2D/3D hot stamping foil in fixed or variable data on B1/B2 sheets. INFO# 328
Müller Martini showcased how its solutions help harness the full potential of new technologies, including the world premiere of the Starbook Sheetfolder from the Hunkeler range. The audience experienced how digitally produced signature sheets are transformed into glued book blocks, which then move on to inline processing in the Vareo PRO perfect binder. Further, an innovative, compact smart factory solution made up of the SigmaLine Compact book block line, the Antaro Digital perfect binder, and the InfiniTrim trimming robot put out four different digitally produced products without any manual intervention. The popular workhorse, Primera PRO, presents new functions and additional optimizations for the continuous production of many small jobs with reduced staff. INFO# 329
palamides GmbH demonstrated the mitra Automatic Sheet Delivery and the Bograma BSR 550. The mitra Automatic Cut-Sheet Delivery is a versatile delivery system for all types of cutsheet production. The mitra offers a high throughput speed and flexibility behind any production machine. INFO# 330
Scodix highlighted its new presses, the Scodix Ultra 2500 SHD and the Scodix Ultra 650 SHD, 16 embellishment applications, and Scodix AI. INFO# 331
Workflow
Workflow tools help bring all technologies together for more efficiency and effectiveness across the industry.
DALIM SOFTWARE unveils the next-generation of its DALIM ES and DALIM TWIST applications, which are completely redeveloped from the ground up on a scalable microservice architecture and featuring a redesigned user interface. INFO# 332
Enfocus exhibited its full range of PDF preflight and workflow solutions at drupa. Visitors were able to see first-hand the benefits of Enfocus solutions such as Griffin, Phoenix2Switch, PitStop Pro, and Switch. INFO# 333
Esko hosted a number of partner integration demonstrations, including MIS software integration with CERM and LabelTraxx; web front-end integration with Infigo and Packitoo HIPE; and flexographic plate management with The Grey Elephant. The Esko booth also featured a Rhyguan rewinder as part of a demonstration of Esko’s AVT inspection solutions. Other partner booths on which Esko showed how its solutions easily integrate with other platforms included Asahi Kasei, Barberan, Bobst, DuPont, ePS, Fiery, GIS, GlobalVision, HP, Heidelberg, Highcon, Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, Landa, and Windmoeller & Hoelscher. INFO# 334
Fiery, LLC announced that its DFE technology is driving the X5 Nozomi from Packsize. The Fiery technology is designed to provide X5 Nozomi customers with unparalleled digital print performance, superior color management, and automated workflow tools. INFO# 335
Gelato announced a partnership with Landa Digital Printing. The collaboration leverages Landa’s Nanographic print technology and customer network, and Gelato’s global software platform—GelatoConnect—for the delivery of on-demand, short-to-medium run, digitally printed jobs with print quality. Utilizing Gelato’s fulfillment network, present in more than 32 countries, digital print partners also benefit from streamlined workflows, enhanced market reach, and a shared commitment from both companies toward enhanced sustainability. INFO# 336
GMG Color Americas showcased ColorFarm, which is well suited for easy job quoting and production control. The GMG Color Americas team also shared a new update in the form of GMG ColorPlugin for Adobe Illustrator, a vector conversion sibling tool to GMG ColorPlugin for Adobe Photoshop. INFO# 337
HP and Canva announced a strategic, multi-year global partnership. INFO# 338
ICScolor, creator of Remote Director, demonstrated how virtual digital color proofing is a future trend utilizing calibrated monitors versus inkjet paper proofs. INFO# 339
TECHKON showcased its Inline Spectrophotometer technology, including the SpectroVision inline color measurement system for packaging printers and the SpectroEdge ES7500 customizable integration kit for press manufacturers. INFO# 340
In partner booths, EMT and Kodak, Videk featured its Digital Eyes solutions, designed to replace manual, time-consuming human inspection processes with powerful, productivity-driving automation. INFO# 341
X-Rite showed its PantoneLIVE Private Library Manager, a feature that allows brands to add custom colors to the PantoneLIVE ecosystem. INFO# 342
Continued Evolution
After eight long years, the industry was more than ready for another Drupa. There is no doubt vendors will continue innovating on through to the next show planned for 2028.
Find more info on vendors mentioned here at RCPMagDirect.
Jul2024, DPS Magazine
