BOBST has unveiled five technologies designed to help brand owners and folding carton converters deliver better quality, efficiency and control in a sustainable manner.

During a recent virtual press conference, Group CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst emphasised the company’s shift from a machine- to an industry-oriented and application centric partner via a 2025 vision of helping customers deal with packaging production transformation by introducing solutions that improve various aspects of connectivity, digitalisation, automation and sustainability.

1. Cut-to-print register

AccuRegister is the latest version of Bobst’s optical cut-to-print register system, which was first introduced to the market 20 years ago as the Power Register ‘no sheet edge contact’ sheet feeding system, and has been adapted for the Novacut 106 range.

Jean-Pascal listed the beneficial features as reduced setting times, feed-related stops and maintenance requirements, which help boost productivity and deliver outstanding blank register quality.

AccuRegister is also integrated into the Bobst Helpline for quick and efficient support, including human-machine interface (HMI) integration to optimise operator ergonomics.

2. Set-up time reduction

Bobst 106 size die cutters are now available with an optional Setup Time Reduction Pack, which includes a 381mm screen at the feeder for faster set-up of the optical registration systems, automatic pallet lifting within the feeder for each new job set-up, and improved HMI ergonomics that facilitate an easier automatic non-stop grid process.

The pack also includes TooLink, an automated machine and tool connection, which provides folding carton manufacturers with complete oversight of their dies, recipes and job histories, as well as access to a higher level of production data and insight. TooLink, for instance, automatically detects chip-equipped tools, provides production-ready job recipes and automatic job recall (without operator intervention), resulting in waste and time savings of up to 15 minutes during job changeovers.

3. Digital inspection

The Digital Inspection Table Folding Carton 106 is the latest addition to Bobst’s quality control portfolio. Jean-Pascal described it as a smart digital device that actively monitors all points of the production process, from printing through embellishment and cutting to inspection of braille and embossing, and compares them with the customer’s original PDF.

An additional camera digitises patching sheets, so that they can be redone more easily in case of damage or loss.

4. Folding and glueing

The multipurpose A3 version ExpertFold 110 folder-gluer, for instance, features newly integrated modules for the dedicated production of crash-lock bottom and four- and six-corner cartons. It simplifies and shortens settings when changing box types and can reduce

set-up time during changeovers by as much as 80%.

According to Jean-Pascal, the ExpertFold 110 allows converters to produce an impressive number of carton styles in a wide range of materials at speeds of up to 450m/min, with very short make-readies and changeover times for maximum uptime.

5. Hot foil stamping

The NovaFoil 106 is the first inline hot foil stamping machine from Bobst to feature a cross-foiling section and a high level of automation that enables foil advance calculations, quick set-ups and changeovers. ‘These benefits help converters maximise cost-efficiency and productivity, while its versatility enables their customers to create more elaborate multicolour designs for high-value packaging applications,’ he noted.

The redesigned platen section and gripper bar advance system offer more pressure, longer dwell time, plus smooth and steady sheet advance for high-quality embellishments, including embossing, debossing, hologram applications and die cutting.

‘Although these five technologies are distinct and diverse in their benefits, they are all built around Bobst’s four pillars and central vision of shaping the future of the packaging world. This includes providing increased automation for higher productivity, optimising digitalisation and connectivity that better integrate converters’ solutions, and maximising sustainability to reduce waste and increase efficiencies,’ Jean-Pascal concluded.

Ed’s note: Bobst is represented in southern Africa by Beswick Machinery.

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