‘Label printers require new business models and technology investments that enable quicker turnaround times and cater for changing customer needs, including multiple versions, short run lengths and variable data applications,’ he stated. ‘Changing regulations are impacting brand packaging on two fronts. Firstly, converters need to help brands improve their track and trace capabilities plus packaging security features throughout the supply chain. Secondly, they need to collaborate with machinery and consumables suppliers to find ways of reducing waste, developing recyclable and compostable alternatives and better utilising water-based inks.’
Erik also explained that from a label press point of view, the technology drivers are fewer moving parts (less complex technology) plus features that make the machines easier to operate, lower costs and improve the output quality.
Collectively, these drivers are encouraging Bobst to move away from the old analogue versus digital debates and focus on evolving customer priorities such as time to market, new applications, end-to-end solutions, total cost of ownership and addressing longer runs, service and training.
‘The digital revolution is forcing label converters to move their business models from focusing solely on machine productivity to additional models that integrate the entire production floor,’ Erik asserted. ‘Bobst has responded with the One-Label portfolio that enables converters to let their decisions be driven by customer needs – based on new applications, enhanced productivity and cost or time savings – rather than just by the available technologies.’
He noted that by automating colour and quality consistency management across medium to long run jobs, Bobst is helping operators of narrow web flexo presses to tackle labels that require a lot of embellishment and finishing, direct pantone colours
or sensitive applications such as shrink sleeves.
Bobst’s All-in-One Master DM5, on the other hand, combines flexo speeds with the flexibility of digital inkjet printing to accommodate short to long runs. The modular design of this end-to-end solution can be adapted to converters’ job baskets as it covers inline priming, printing, embellishing and cutting, without bottlenecks in the production process.
The end-to-end data-driven quality control and inspection system for this all-in-one press and the digital presses measure and control colour, codes, text and register, which reduces time wasting and human error.
Design drives adaptability
Erik also pointed out now that digital printing is reaching higher speeds, uptimes and quality with less operator interference, it is moving from the short to medium job run realm into the medium to long job realm.
Digital press research and development cycles are usually quite short. Bobst has, however, taken a longer term approach with Mouvent, which has served as the group’s digital competency centre since 2017. The OEM has committed to investing in and perfecting Mouvent Cluster technology, which enables converters to run their presses profitably for at least a decade.
Mouvent Cluster technology has replaced fixed size print bars for different colours with compact and lightweight clusters consisting of electronics, ink management, printhead and mechanical layers. The latter controls the head alignment, ink flow and software steering each of the four integrated Fuji Dimatix Samba heads.
The clusters are arranged in a modular, scalable matrix so that they can be easily replaced and adapted for almost any width and substrate, including flexible materials, paper, self-adhesive and wet-glue label stocks. The two Mouvent label presses require a start-up routine of fewer than seven minutes, run at production speeds of 70m/min and 100m/min with a native resolution of 1 200 x 1 200dpi and feature an advanced ink flow control system to ensure perfect quality and colour consistency.
Bobst’s local representative, Beswick Machinery, describes the LB701-UV model as an entry-level press with high-end specs, a small footprint (20m²) and extended digital colour gamut range printing up to six colours and optional 70% opacity digital white to meet short to medium run predictability, accuracy, consistency and repeatability requirements. Additionally, the LB701-UV is engineered with a short paper path to minimise waste and maximise productivity – one operator in one shift can produce up to 80 000m²/month.
In addition to the features incorporated in the entry-level model, the Mouvent LB702-UV label press is geared for industrial label production, offering output levels of up to 200 000m²/month with one operator in one shift. It prints more jobs with any run length up to
8 000 linear metres and addresses 90% of all medium to long run label jobs cost-effectively, thanks to maximum running speeds of 100m/min.
This is according to Beswick Machinery’s label & narrow web product manager Kevin Tucker, who lists additional benefits as the capability to foil over digital inks and the digital front end, which enables converters to upload a pdf for automatic calculation of the ink coverage and per linear metre cost. They can then work this into the ink pricing and cost per label. ‘Everyone who has seen a live demo of the digital front end has remarked that it’s a unique selling point for Bobst. Since Labelexpo Europe 2019, more than 20 machines have been sold and several presses have passed beta testing, with the first long run test site in Europe installing a second model and providing positive feedback about medium to large job runs.’
Beswick Machinery is hoping to secure a couple of Mouvent digital label press installations in the short to mid-term. Its future goal is having a Bobst Digital Experience Centre for Africa based in South Africa.
Kevin explains that having this facility on our doorstep will offer local buyers peace of mind that there is backup for overflow jobs when they need additional capacity, or in the event emergency parts or consumables are required urgently.
The Experience Centre press will also be used for testing, trial, demonstration and training purposes.
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