Bobst has released a number of new solutions centered around connectivity, digitalisation, automation and sustainability, as the company revamps its vision.

The company said its new solutions now feature added intelligence, software capabilities and cloud-based platforms, to better improve packaging production.

The newly announced equipment include:

For the folding carton industry:

• MASTERCUT 106 PER: a highly automated and ergonomic die-cutter that boasts more automation and productivity in its latest generation. In addition to the existing automation functions, Bobst has implemented new features which allow a fully automatic setting of the machine from ‘feeder to delivery’ with minimum operator intervention. The new automation features enable a major setup time reduction of 15 minutes. It is aimed at short as well as long runs.
• TooLink Connected Tooling for die-cutters: a new digital recipe management tool for die-cutters that has automated functions. It can save up to 15 minutes per job changeover and simplifies the interaction between converters and die-makers. With TooLink Connected Tooling, chip-equipped tools are automatically detected by the machine and the production-ready recipe is recognised, leading to savings in time and waste, with sustainability benefits as well.
• New ACCUCHECK:

  

  an advanced inline quality control system that aims for complete quality consistency and ensures that brand owners’ requirements are being met. Fully integrated into a folding-gluing line, it checks every package and non-standard boxes are ejected at full production speed, ensuring zero-fault packaging. On the new ACCUCHECK, the inspection can be set according to various criteria. It also inspects varnished, metalised and embossed blanks. The system has many other options, such as PDF proofing, providing inspection report and smart text identification using machine learning.

• MASTERSTAR laminator: a sheet-to-sheet laminator that has a highly configurable design and unique options to enable a custom-made configuration. It delivers performance of 10,000 sheets per hour, aided by its progressive sheet alignment system – Power Aligner S and SL – which eliminates the need to stop the sheet and makes it possible to significantly reduce the base weight of the printed sheet. It matches printed sheet and substrate sheet with accuracy and comes with the option to add a fully automatic single face sheet feeder system and a fully automatic delivery system.

For the flexible packaging industry:

• MASTER CI:

  

  a flexo press that features innovative technologies in CI flexo printing. The combination of exclusive smart technologies, including smartGPS GEN II, and advanced automation, makes all press operations easy and fast, optimising usability and maximising press uptime. Productivity is said to be up to 7,000 jobs per year or 22 million stand-up pouches in 24 hours with one operator, aided by the smartDROID robotic system that does the entire press setup without human intervention. It features the Job Recipe Management (JRM) System for a digitalised production workflow from file to finished product with creation of a digital twin of the produced reels.

• NOVA D 800 LAMINATOR: a new multi-technology NOVA D 800 LAMINATOR which offers technical and process performance with all run lengths, types of substrates, adhesives and web combinations. Automation makes job changes simple, fast and without tools for higher machine uptime and fast time-to-market. Features of this compact laminator include the availability of Bobst flexo trolley for high speed coating of solvent-based adhesives with high solid content, along with unique cost saving performance. The optical and functional qualities of the laminated structures work with 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 aims to deliver flexibility by producing high quality short-to-mid-size runs of labels and packaging production. The machine can now also integrate Ink-on-Demand (IoD) and DigiColor inking and color control. Both systems work on all substrates and are suitable for all run lengths. The MASTER M6 is fully automated with Bobst’s exclusive DigiFlexo automation, and is oneECG technology ready, delivering non-stop production through a centralised, digitalised press operation, and full colour consistency with the master reference. The press also features unique technologies for traceability of food packaging applications.

For all industries:

• oneECG: is Bobst’s Extended Colour Gamut technology deployed across analogue and digital printing for label, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated board. ECG refers to a set of inks – typically 6 or 7 – to achieve a colour gamut larger than the traditional CMYK, ensuring colour repeatability irrespective of the operator’s skill. For web-fed CI and inline flexo printing, oneECG offers end-to-end solutions developed in collaboration with leading industry partners from pre-press to the printed and converted reels. These solutions are tailored to the specific process requirements of the flexo type technology.
• Digital Inspection Table: a new large format version of the Digital Inspection Table (DIT), it is a technology designed to drive productivity and remove print production errors. It incorporates digital projection for the proofing of printed sheets and die-cut blanks, whilst providing real-time visual representations to match product with digital proofs. It uses HD projectors to illuminate the product sample with quality control imaging, enabling the operator to easily see if quality standards are matched or compromised.

According to the company, 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 aims to ensure an efficient dataflow between digital and physical worlds and orchestrate the entire production process from the client’s PDF to the finished product.

“The digitalisation of printing processes is the most visible element of progress in the packaging industry,” Bobst Group CEO Jean-Pascal said.

“The coming years will likely see a major acceleration of digital printing and converting. While the solutions are becoming available, the biggest challenge for printers and converters is not the individual printing machines, but rather the entire workflow, encompassing converting.”

According to Jean-Pascal, brand owners, small or large, are under pressure from local and global competitors and changing market expectations. They face many challenges, like shorter time-to-market, smaller lot sizes and the need to build consistency between physical and online sales.

The current packaging value chain remains very fragmented where every phase in the process is isolated into silos. The new requirements require all key players to have an “end to end” view. In addition, printers and converters want to remove waste factors and errors from their operations.

As such, the company revamped its vision to include new services that optimise equipment performance, increase the overall plant productivity, and avoid unexpected downtimes for maximum efficiency and agility.

“In the current situation, automation and connectivity are more important than ever, and greater digitalisation is helping to drive these.

“Meanwhile, achieving greater sustainability is arguably the single most important current goal in all manufacturing. By uniting all of these elements in our products and solutions, we are shaping the future of the packaging world.”

The solutions will be available from Print & Pack Australia and New Zealand, a supplier of packaging, printing and converting equipment, which now the sole distributor of Bobst printing and packaging technology in the region.

The news also closely follows an announcement that Bobst will not participate in any global trade shows in 2021 including drupa, while maintaining a limited participation in Asia.