02.21.2024
Combined with intelligent on-demand production, Müller Martini’s Smart Factory is the answer to sustainability in the printing industry – not only significantly reducing the carbon footprint, but also driving the digital transformation. Müller Martini will be demonstrating the economic and ecological benefits at drupa booth 1B50 and at the drupa “touchpoint sustainability” in Hall 14.
According to a calculation by the German Bundesverband Druck und Medien (Federal Association of Printing and Media BVDM), the CO2 emissions of all printed products produced by a citizen in Germany account for less than one percent of the annual CO2 footprint. However, it is important for Müller Martini to take responsibility for the sustainability of print products and to make a significant contribution to reducing the CO2 footprint.
Production under control
In order to link the individual systems with each other in a network, a comprehensive workflow system is needed that connects all the work steps – from order acceptance to shipping. Today the Connex workflow from Müller Martini can map a wide range of production scenarios, such as print-on-demand or book-of-one. The Connex workflow is the heart of the Smart Factory, where there are no out-of-the-box solutions. “It takes a workflow that is perfectly tailored to the individual company to implement the digital transformation in practice”, says Adrian Mayr, Head of Product Management at Müller Martini.
The Connex workflow ensures networking between the organization level (MES/MIS) and the production level. This makes it possible to track production feedback right down to the individual product in real time. Smart optimization of production allows further reductions in changeover work and paper waste, which in turn contributes to efficiency and sustainability. Müller Martini’s approach in this context is based on the principle of “first copy sellable.”
Driving the Digital Transformation
“Most of our systems are prepared for future expansion with components for the processing of digitally printed products. This applies to saddle stitchers as well as perfect binders and hardcover systems”, Adrian Mayer emphasizes in this regard. In practice, this means that installed systems can be upgraded in the field to meet current market demands. For example, an existing saddle stitcher can be upgraded with a digital option and thus be used for digital sheet-fed as well as web-fed printing or for combined applications.
Installing the latest generation of Muller Martini machines and implementing a Connex workflow helps to further reduce the ecological footprint while increasing profitability. Muller Martini will be demonstrating how this works from May 28 at the drupa booth 1B50 and at the “touchpoint sustainability” in Hall 14.
