By DPS Staff
Part 2 of 4
Print 18 took place from September 30 to October 2, 2018 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. Print industry professionals gathered to witness the latest solutions propelling the market forward.
The first part of this series discussed some of the many print engines highlighted on the show floor. In the second part of our Print 18 wrap up series, we discuss finishing solutions displayed throughout the event.
Finishing on the Floor
A range of pre- and post-processing solutions for digitally printed applications were displayed on the show floor.
B&R introduced its inline, sheetfed, flexo magnetic rotary die cutter, folder/gluer system. The solution allows for die cutting, striping, folding, and gluing in one process. The Moll Flexcut Diecutting System is ideal for finishing boxes, cartons, labels, pocket folder, and other types of packaging. The company also highlighted a range of folder/gluer equipment.
Bluecrest made its debut at Print 18. The company was formerly the Document Messaging Technologies division of Pitney Bowes. In its booth, the company highlighted its Output Manager and Clarity software. Also displayed was the Epic Inserting System, AcceleJet printing and finishing system, Pulse and Rival inserter systems, DirectView, DFWorks, and Office Mail products.
Colter + Peterson featured a pair of new and dynamic paper cutters as well as the PRISM jogging unit. Also demonstrated was integration between the SABER Microcut and HP SmartStream.
Duplo focused on applications in its booth, specifically the limitless possibilities achieved with out-of-the-box thinking and a few key pieces of equipment. The company featured hourly demonstrations of its popular DDC-810 Raised Spot UV and Coater. Visitors were encouraged to pick up several examples of the completed applications for inspiration.
EMT International showcased the Chameleon RFX series roll-to-sheet finishing line. It features dyamic cross web scoring for digital or conventional applications.
Graphic Whizard highlighted the recently introduced PT 335SCC Multi full-bleed finishing system.
Harris & Bruno displayed the ExcelCoat series of offline/inline coaters for UV and aqueous. Fully automated ExcelCoat sheet coaters include the ZR floor coater and ZRS spot coater, which utilizes an optical registration system.
Impress Systems featured its desktop digital foil printers. Its versatile, on demand printers are used to print foil on a range of applications including invitations, greeting cards, envelopes, and other products.
JetFx Inc. announced and demonstrated RAINMAKER, a fully digital solution designed to enhance analog or digitally printed sheets. The B2 format embellishment solution produces tactile, spot varnish coating, and digital image foiling that can be variable from one image to the next without the need for tooling. The solution is now available for pre order.
Lamichina Technology Co., Ltd. highlighted its line of feeders, laminators, trimmers, laminating film, inkjet printing medias, and LED displays. Among its offerings is a foil fusing or sleeking machine and foil solution, designed to simply add optical effects. It offers feeding, laminating, and foiling as well as an optional foil slitter to minimize foil cost.
Pitney Bowes featured its SecureCAPTURE 2-D Barcode Scanning for Mail.
Martin Yale highlighted the MPL27 Multi-Purpose Laminator. The device is compatible with the entire range of DryLam film as well as many other film brands. The tabletop laminator supports a range of film types and mil thicknesses up to 27 inches wide.
MBM Corporation featured its VRCut Ready Triumph 5260 Cutter. VRCut is a software solution designed to automate cutting workflows by prompting an efficient and error-free cutting process from start to finish. The cutting software bridges the gap between pre-press and the finishing process, allowing operators of any experience level the ability to cut with confidence on select Triumph cutters. The VRCut solution consists of two modules that work together, the Impose module creates PDF documents to work with the VRCut Controller module, and the Controller module connects directly to the Triumph cutter moving the back gauge and visually guiding operators through the cutting sequence.
MGI featured the JETvarnish 3D Image Editor Software Application.
Morgana Systems Ltd. launched several new products including card cutters/creasers, the PowerSquare 160/224, and Morgana RDC Rotary Die Cutter.
Nobelus showcased its LuxeFilms Streams of Light Holografik Specialty Overlaminate Film as well as the Rainbow Holographic Metalized Laminate.
Rollem highlighted its Insignia die cutting systems, which are designed to open the door to short-run folding carton and packaging opportunities. The Insigna devices feature flexible dies, which are produced via CNC machines enabling intricate die cutting patterns, multiple heights of blade to die and kiss cut, and the ability to laser harden or extend die life or coated for various adhesive cutting applications. The latest InsigniaX3 model was recently introduced and is designed to handle heavier stocks and die cut material up to 30 pt. thickness with ease.
Standard Finishing Systems presented a diverse lineup of feeding and finishing solutions including live demonstrations of die cutting, perfect binding and trimming, slitting and creasing, folding, saddlestitching, inspection systems, and roll-fed print solutions. Highlighted in the booth, the Standard Horizon StitchLiner Mark III is the latest introduction in Horizon’s acclaimed line of saddlestitchers, featuring expanded booklet size and increased productivity up to 6,000 booklets per hour. The system can produce a wider range of applications, including landscape-size booklets, 12×12-inch calendars, and pocket booklets as small as 4.5×3.5 inches. The company also featured the Standard Horizon BQ-480, which offers a maximum speed of 800 books per hour for book of one production and supports book thicknesses from 0.04 to 2.56 inches, as well as the Standard Horizon AFV-566/TV-564 Folder, an automated and dynamic machine.
Streamfeeder featured the P1250 Tip-On Feeder.
Quantum Roll Sheeters showcased the QRS Roll Sheeter LS Model Integrated Inline Roll Sheeter with Lap Splicer.
TEC Lighting, Inc. featured its range of UV curing and coating equipment. The company’s portfolio consists of the Tru Mini compact offline UV coater, Tru Coat Handfeed production UV coater, Tru Inline production UV coater, and Tru Autofeed high-speed production UV coater.
Tecnau featured the Stack 5250, which cuts and stacks output from high-speed, continuous inkjet printers running at speeds of up to 656 feet per minute. The system includes the Cutter c50 and Stacker s50 with an exit conveyor output.
Therm-O-Type demonstrates the new Glue-Tech sheet laminating machine as well as the RAS-mc right angle slitter, RDC-Flex rotary die cutter, Zip-TS2L cutter/slitter/creaser, foil fusing equipment, the NSF Excel with inline waste stripping attachment, and the new NSF Ultra foil stamping/embossing/die cutting press.
VITS International displayed some of the latest technology for high-speed finishing targeting the digital and inkjet market.
W+D premiered several of its new Performance Class technologies. The company’s theme, Haptic Direct Mail Marketing, highlighted the use of touch in marketing. In order to add the wow factor to direct mail, the company showcased USPS Trailing Edge Die Cuts shape cut mail, low-cost photopolymer embossing technology, low-cost envelope foiling, ENVaCARD, inkjet printing over embossed finished envelopes, and complex intelligent haptic direct mail piece with 1:1 color personalized messaging on the envelope. W+D also ran its new W+D Halm i-Jet four-color plus envelope overprint envelope press. The company also demonstrated its new BB700 class inserter with a unique read and print direct mail application on a USPS full automation rate approved shape-cut envelope.
Consider Finishing
For those looking to invest or expand their digital print services with new finishing equipment, the Print 18 trade show offered a great resource. From print embellishment solutions to die cutters and folder/gluers, the event did not disappoint.
Next week, we highlight software and workflow solutions demonstrated at Print 18.
Click here to read part three of this exclusive online series, Workflows.
Oct2018, DPS Magazine
