Bobst has now presented its latest solutions and strategic partnerships at drupa. Both are aimed at networking the entire packaging production process and thus enabling end-to-end work processes.
„We are realising our vision of shaping the future of the packaging world based on the pillars Networking, digitalisation, automation and sustainability “, says Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO of Bobst Group. „With our solutions, packaging printers and manufacturers can digitise their processes and at the same time align them for a more sustainable future. We are proud to work with industry-leading companies, forge new partnerships and continue on our path of continuous innovation and development.“
At the trade fair, the company will be showcasing the Digital Master 55, a new digital, specially designed all-in-one platform designed for folding carton production. It combines printing and finishing to create an end-to-end solution for the production of high-quality packaging with short production times. This opens up new possibilities in the production of small to medium-sized runs.
At a speed of 100 m/min, the Digital Master 55 combines printing, finishing, quality control and die-cutting into an inline process that guarantees the shortest production times and offers the most favourable total cost of ownership of all available printing and finishing solutions. The new machine even makes it possible, Deliver orders on the same day.
By enabling just-in-time production, it minimises the need for extensive stocks and large warehouses. This platform, which has full inline and automated print customisation capabilities and quality control, is ideal for print runs of up to 6,000 B1-equivalent sheets, where the Production time cut by up to 80 per cent and costs for short runs reduced The result is that the production process can be optimised, while at the same time eliminating the waste, logistics and downtime required for conventional production processes.
Digitalisation and automation with Bobst Connect
The new functions of BOBST Connect - the company is constantly developing this cloud-based digital platform for increasing productivity - include comprehensive New possibilities for machine monitoring. They allow detailed data insights that were previously unknown. At the same time, performance management provides insights into machine, shift and labour performance as well as energy consumption. Packaging manufacturers can use this information to optimise their Optimising sustainability and its costs.
For label manufacturers, Bobst is debuting its new Digital Front End (DFE) 3.0, which will be available later this year. It enables customers to Real-time access to data, resources and workflow templates - from anywhere and at any time. Colour management can be controlled centrally and shared in the cloud. Its web-based interface supports multiple users at multiple locations.
Improvements for calibration and quality control
Bobst has expanded Accucheck for its narrow-mid web solutions with additional options. They increase productivity and offer new automation functions. The improvements include the Automatic setting of parameters for each job and synchronisation of the job queue. This reduces set-up times in quality control to zero with Accucheck. As a result, customers can now check all orders without additional time and labour. This feature is unique in the industry.
Improvements in calibration include a new function that ensures consistent colours. The process is now automated for all colours and takes only a fraction of the time previously required. At the same time, another new function improves automatic nozzle compensation in the event of blocked or misdirected nozzles.
New generation of UV inks for digital printing
Thalia inks are a new generation of UV inks for digital printing that have been developed with the aim of meeting the highest standards of conformity. They are TPO-free and comply with the most important regulations including REACH and EuPIA GMP. Thalia inks from Bobst do not contain any CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances) and fulfil the latest Swiss ordinance, which was published in February 2024. The new inks are also characterised by greater resistance and an improved colour gamut.
Thalia Flexible UV inks have been specially developed for the folding carton industry. They are particularly suitable for applications with high ink application or with dark inks that place high demands on foldability. Thanks to their special formulation, they are characterised by their elasticity even a long time after curing. They are therefore Ideal for high-speed fold-gluing processes, for small creasing rules and for narrow angles, typical of small folding cartons and thinner cardboard packaging. These are increasingly being used with the aim of reducing the cost of packaging and improving its sustainability.
Expanding offerings with strategic partnerships
BOBST Connect is the cornerstone of the company's software solutions. To further improve the capabilities of its cloud-based software, Bobst continues to rely on its Successful cooperation with Microsoft and is still expanding it. In an increasingly AI-driven world, this collaboration enables the cloud-based infrastructure, expertise and data security that Bobst needs to provide its customers with state-of-the-art software solutions.
Bobst and Packitoo recently announced their strategic partnership. The French company Packitoo develops digital solutions for the packaging industry, such as the web-based sales solution HIPE. This automates the preparation of quotations, manages packaging projects and supports web-to-pack online shops of packaging printers and manufacturers. This partnership is in line with Bobst's strategy, which is geared towards the digitalisation and networking of the entire packaging production value chain - from brand manufacturers to packaging manufacturers and machine suppliers.
Source: Bobst
