Innovative packaging, converting and finishing technologies catch eyeballs

For exhibitors showcasing packaging, converting and finishing solutions, it was incredibly positive drupa as this segment of graphic arts industry is still booking significant growth despite slowdown in the market. The venders received overwhelming response for their state-of-the-art technologies in this area.

BOBST: drupa 2012 was BOBST’s most successful trade fair ever. The company generated record sales and thousands of new leads, including: more than hundred firm projects due to take place over the next three months / more than 40 percent of sales were made to new customers / India ranked as the second-largest sales market / new branding triggers positive emotions / new mood of optimism throughout the company. This success reflects the market’s recognition of the special commitment demonstrated over the last two years by the world’s leading producer of machinery and services for packaging manufacturers in the corrugated board, folding box and flexible packaging industries in its far-reaching transformation program. The three BOBST business units – sheet-fed, web-fed and services – each generated record sales with their innovative products and services.

BOBST unveiled a wide range of trailblazing innovations at drupa 2012. To avoid overloading its exhibition stand, the company made a conscious decision to focus on four machines, each incorporating a range of innovations: the new F&K 20SIX flexo printing machine platform for the production of flexible packaging, the new EXPERTCUT 106 PER flat-bed die-cutter, the MASTERFOLD 110-A3 folding box gluing machine and the SL 1000 solvent-free, high-speed laminating line. After Germany, India purchased the highest number of BOBST machines at drupa 2012.

“Over the last few years, our entire team has worked very hard to pave the way for our company’s future. The results of this year’s drupa confirm in no uncertain terms the benefits of these efforts and commitment,” commented BOBST CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst at the close of the exhibition in Düsseldorf.

CGSASP: The principals of New Delhi based CAPITAL GRAPHIC SUPPLIES (CGS) / AS PRINT AIDS PVT LTD (ASP) presented a plethora of solutions under print finishing technologies. Each of these companies gave live demos in their respective stands, where representative of CGSASP were present to welcome Indian printers and inform further.

New dynamics in digital finishing were apparently realized with the demonstration of Hunkeler’s solutions. In addition to the exhibits at their own booth, visitors had the opportunity to experience Hunkeler´s widely supported range of solutions with partners in different exhibition halls (over 30 production lines). For Hunkeler, drupa 2012 has been incredible positive: in all three business areas, print-on-demand, transactional printing, and direct mail. Besides the new book-on-demand line which was ordered by Mumbai-based Repro India Ltd to be installed with Kodak Prosper 1000 press soon, other highlights included an innovative laser process, dynamic perforation and punching in one module, a large-format sheet stacker, and a new primer coater module.

Ecosystem made live tests of their 76 Compact thermal laminator, Modulo 120 SF laminator and new compact and productive Aqua 102 water based adhesive laminator. The company also presented new Servo driven Stop Cylinder Screen Printing Press Ecoscreen 106 in production.

Besides, Tresu Group, CITO-System, Kirk-Rudy, Drohmann EasyCut, Sei Laser, Serviform, Martin Miller, PrintGuard, B&R Moll Inc, Buhrs, Folien Fischer, PERIVO bv also presented their innovative solutions, which were received seriously by visitors from India in close interaction with CGSASP team members.

Galaxy Propac: The principals of Galaxy Propac Pvt Ltd, including YOCO, PAKTEK, and Foiltone also presented a range of high-end workhorse machines for die-cutting, hot and cold foiling, cast and cure systems, automatic folder gluer and industrial lamination machines. The representatives of New Delhi-based Galaxy Propac were present at their stands to help Indian printers know the best features of these solutions.

Gallus: was looking back upon drupa 2012 with great satisfaction. During the 14 days of the fair over 8,000 visitors came to watch the live demonstrations of the Gallus ICS 670 machine system demonstrating the efficiency of inline production of top-quality folding cartons. The Gallus ICS 670 shown was equipped with a great number of innovations, such as the new gravure printing unit and the cold foil module.

Muller Martini: The company presented a total of ten machines exhibits at their stand, including: the VSOP web offset printing press from Muller Martini for packaging materials with the shortest changeover times and the highest level of printing quality; – State-of-the-art systems for hardcover production – for example for high-quality photo books; new possibilities for saddle stitching with inline inserts; new solutions for perfect binding; finishing solutions to suit the increased output of the new printing presses for digital printing; apart from completely new inserting system for the production of newspapers and mailshots. The SigmaLine digital book production system in combination with a Pantera digital perfect binder was among the star attractions. With the end of drupa 2012, Bruno Müller, CEO of Muller Martini, expressed his satisfaction with the company’s performance at the fair.

Schober technologies: The company demonstrated sheet-fed and web-fed converting technologies. Distinctive features of the new SHEETLINE Rotary sheet-fed converting machine Model SL105 include the converting station equipped with vacuum controlled rotary tools and the unique gripper sheet guiding system ensuring high-precision finishing of pre-printed sheets. While in web-fed converting segment, there was a rotary die cutting machine Model RSM520-MV with the high velocity Twin “Spider” Robot automated stacking system.

Steinemann Technology: The company showed how to conserve resources and address new markets in laminating. Steinemann Technology has specifically adapted its Lotus SF laminating system for processing ultra-thin and ecologically degradable laminating films made of renewable raw materials / energy-efficient laminating system with low polyurethane adhesive consumption.

For folding-box manufacturers, web-to-print providers and magazine printers, in particular, the Steinemann stand proved a marketplace of ideas relating to numerous new aspects of the subject of ‘The Art of Finishing’. In practical demonstrations on the Lotus SF sheet-to-sheet laminating system, Steinemann Technology gave live presentations of the solvent-free laminating of folding boxes and other print products using biofilms and ultra-thin PET films. In India, Steinemann is represented by SRK Technology Pvt Ltd.

eltromat: ‘Deliver 100 percent print quality, checked with leading solutions,’ was the motto under which eltromat was presenting its latest solutions for the issues of quality and efficiency in the printing sector.

eltromat talked to customers and prospective clients from 69 countries and presented innovations like the spectral inline colour measurement system ‘inco_check’ and the improved 100 percent print inspection system ‘twin_check’ extended with the workflow solutions. While gravure printers were drawn to the register control solution ‘regi_star 20’, flexo printing and converting companies were interested in ‘sincon_star’. The new single register control system generated interest and sales. The same applies to the 100 percent web inspection system ‘webvideo_star’.