New platform promises to facilitate a seamless process from PDF to package
Bobst has a vision in which brand owners, converters, toolmakers, packers and retailers are all part of a seamless supply chain, accessing data across the entire workflow. Machines and tools will “talk” to each other, transmitting data through a cloud-based platform orchestrating the entire production process with quality control systems.
At the heart of this vision is Bobst Connect, an open architecture cloud-based platform delivering solutions for pre-press, production, process optimisation, maintenance and market access. It ensures efficient data flow between the digital and physical worlds.
“The digitalisation of printing processes is the most visible element of progress in the packaging industry,” said Bobst Group CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst as the company unveiled the platform.
“The coming years will likely see a major acceleration of digital printing and converting. The biggest challenge for printers and converters is not the individual printing machines, but rather the entire workflow.
“The new products and Bobst Connect are part of our vision for the future for packaging production, which is anchored in data access and control across the entire workflow, helping packaging manufacturers and converters to become more flexible and agile.”
The newly announced equipment included:
For the folding carton industry:
- Mastercut 106 PER
With the latest generation of this machine, the levels of automation and productivity have gone up a level. It has the highest degree of automatic operations available on any die-cutter. Bobst has implemented new features that allow a fully automatic setting of the machine from feeder to delivery with minimum operator intervention and a major setup time reduction of 15 minutes.
- TooLink Connected Tooling for die-cutters
This is a new digital recipe management tool for die-cutters. In combination with automated functions, it can save up to 15 minutes per job changeover and simplifies the interaction between converters and die-makers.
- Accucheck
The new Accucheck is the most advanced inline quality control system, guaranteeing quality consistency. Fully integrated into a folding-gluing line, it carefully checks every package, and non-standard boxes are ejected at full production speed, ensuring zero-fault packaging. The system has many other options, such as PDF proofing, providing inspection reports and smart text identification using machine learning.
- Masterstar laminator
Highly configurable design and unique options enable a custom-made configuration and a performance of 10,000 sheets per hour. It matches the printed sheet and substrate sheet with an accuracy never seen before on a sheet-to-sheet laminator.
For the flexible packaging industry:
- Master CI
This new flexo press boasts a combination of exclusive smart technologies, including SmartGPS Gen II. Productivity is exceptional at up to 7,000 jobs per year or 22 million stand-up pouches in 24 hours with one operator, helped by the smartDROID robotic system that does the entire press setup without human intervention.
- Nova D 800 Laminator
Automation makes job changes simple, fast and without tools for higher machine uptime and fast time-to-market. Features include the Bobst flexo trolley for high-speed coating of solvent-based adhesives with high solid content. Optical and functional technologies include water-based, solvent-based, solventless adhesive lamination, and in-register cold seal, lacquering and additional colour applications.
- Master M6 equipped with IoD/DigiColor
This inline flexo press delivers exceptional flexibility to produce high-quality short to mid-size runs. Both Ink-on-Demand (IoD) and DigiColor work on all substrates and are suitable for all run lengths. The Master M6 is fully automated with Bobst’s DigiFlexo automation and is oneECG-ready, delivering non-stop production through a centralised, digitalised press operation, and full-colour consistency.
For all industries:
- oneECG
ECG refers to a set of six or seven inks to achieve a colour gamut larger than the traditional CMYK. The technology delivers exceptional colour brilliance, repeatability and consistency, faster time to market, saving of substrate and consumables, high profitability with all run lengths, and huge savings in set-up time.
- Digital Inspection Table
A novel technology designed to drive productivity and remove print production errors. It incorporates digital projection for the proofing of printed sheets and die-cut blanks, while providing real-time visual representations to match the product with digital proofs.