2013 in print: The products that made maximum impact
2013 in print: The products that made maximum impact
AGS's Cut CNC announced the Cut CNC tie-up at Pamex 2013. It's USP is its ability to help customers wanting to make customised samples for their designs, which can be sent to the buyers for approval.
Launched at PrintPack India 2001, Associated Engineering Corporation's Sujata SHF has seen over 100 installations. Key users include Srinivas Fine Arts, Kamsri Printers, Chennai Micro print, Brijbasi Art Press, Grand Prints, SML Labels, Shivalik Printers, and Vijayshree Paper Products.
Bobst's folder-gluer, LILA 106 / 126, was launched for manufacture in India in 2013. Almost 10 Lila machines have been sold in India to customers like Borkar Colourpack, Borkar Packaging, Parkson, Khemka, and Pluspaper, among others.
Autobond's 52 SUV inkjet system was launched at Drupa 2012. Mumbai-based Malhotra Graphics, one of the leading distributors for pre-press, post-press, digital printing and finishing equipment, has recently been appointed Autobond’s Indian representative.
Autoprint's Repetto 65, an automatic sheetfed flatbed die-punching and creasing machine, was launched in November 2010. Repetto 65 V2 was launched in 2013. Installations include 20 machines, both in India and abroad.
Ecosystem Costruzioni's 120 Modulo Dry Solventless, a film laminating machine, was launched at Drupa 2012. Capital Graphic Systems, the Indian representative, has installed the first one this year at ITC’s Chennai plant.
Launched in 2005, Excel Machinery's Maxima Exb 35 die-cutter is available in 25x35.5inch configuration. Till date, the company has completed more than 67 installations in India. Some of the key users are Canpac Trends; Color Point; Shri Nijanand Graphics; Sain Packaging; and BK Impression.
Galaxy Propac's Yoco foil stamping machine was launched in 1998 and has been upgraded and improved regularly over the years. There have been 75 installations of the foil stamping machines in India, till date.
Represented by Reprographic Systems and Supplies in India, Hang Germany's A-OK eyeleting machine, is available in models including single-head, double-head, semi-automatic and automatic; and has the maximum working length of 165mm, and a rivet thickness of up to 3mm.
Hassle Free Technologies launched the NB-330 semi-rotary die-cutter at Labelexpo India and claims it is world’s most compact semi-rotary die-cutter. There have been two installtion of these machines in India, while one is installed in France.
M80 folding machine, according to its manufacturer, MBO, is the machine of the future, as it is the only fully adaptable folder, giving the flexibility to install “add-on” components after its initial purchase in order to meet new job requirements.
Hi-Tech Systems, Indian representative of Impress Systems, launched the Foil Xpress at PrintExpo Chennai in June 2013. The machine that boasts of the ability to print simultaneously on X and Y axis has seen 10 installations till date.
Represented in India by Neopost, Powis Parker’s Fastback 20 is a multi-purpose binding machine. Launched at Pamex, the machine can bind books with the help of a specially customised strip, of medium to large quantities from 10 to 350 sheets within a span of 13-20 seconds.
Pramod Engineering's TrimStar, a cutting machine, is designed to any book size in less than ten minutes per adjustment. It is suitable for for books, magazines, catalogues, notebooks, etc. There have been nine installations till date.
The Petratto Metro multi-utility folder-gluer series got its official Indian launch in 2012 during PrintPack by Redlands. However, it received an early launch in Dubai by the principals, Afra International FZC.
The company claims that it can give you anything from a crash lock box to a capacity pocket folder to an envelope of any size on the same machine. “One machine, infinite possibilities” is the key word.
Representated by Provin Technos in India, Rotatek launched the Digitalis at the Labelexpo Brussels show in September 2013. The machine combines the semi-rotary and rotary technologies to eliminate the need to change a cylinder or tool. It is designed to enable hot stamping and silkscreen formats on substrates with the maximum width of 400mm, which the company claims, is the widest in the market.
Shanghai Eternal Printing Machinery's Brausse 1050SE has seen 26 installations as of date. Several machines have been installed world over in countries like USA, Germany and Australia, etc. Bundled with an unique combination of reliable performance, brand value at affordable investment makes it the ideal choice for die-cutting automation.
“The FFG 618 is a 1.8 metre width four-colour flexo machine, capable of slitting, scoring, folding, gluing and rotary die-cutting inline. The machine can produce RSC boxes up to 26,000 boxes per hour. It has a rapid set system for fast printing makereadies while machine is running and Posilock rotary die quick-locking sytem for fast changeovers up to 12 in one shift.” - Subhasis Roy, business director, Bobst SA
Welbound Worldwide PUR e-Bind series is a single-clamp perfect binder with automatic set-ups provided with the support of Omron from Japan and is available in three versions – a standard version; a vertical stacker version; and the top of the line Ultra CF with automatic cover feeding and inline creasing plus stacking. There have been 32 installations of various models till December 2013 of which 21 were in 2013.
Sheth Printograph's Daya Nano 2SM, launched at Pamex 2013, is a thermal lamination machine, which is capable of embossing textures and designs on both sides inline after the lamination of the sheets. It is a dual purpose machine.
“With this machine, we were able to cut down the time required for lamination by almost half. Also, reduced labour and doubled speed have added to the earnings with this machine.” A testimonial on the Daya Jazz from Jeeten Bhambari of B P Lipeds.
Representated in India by Welbound Worldwide, G&K-Vijuk's FA 53 folding machine with 18 plates was launched in October 2012. An outsert folding system, it can produce outserts up to 266 panels when set in a triple knife configuration. There have been Over 200 installations worldwide in the last 17 years with nearly 20% of those are in India.
Fortec Binding Systems' case-making machine was launched in February 2013. The two fold board fixing machine has an automatic registration system and a pneumatic control system that helps fix the board with perfect registration. The production speed of the machine is 400 cases per hour.
Neopost DS1200 G3 Production Inserter, is the third generation system with AIMS software; and was launched in summer 2013. The original model was launched in 2010. Since its launch, 50 of the latest inserters have been sold; the older version which is three year-old, has about 200 installations worldwide.
2013 in print: The products that made maximum impact
Whatever else affected print in 2013, the year will always be remembered as a steady influx of new kit, expansion and one dominated by technology tweaks.
A look at the balance sheet of top firms indicates that most print firms have opted for “sensible” new machines which have enabled them to focus on the existing business. This is what we celebrate in The Star Products of 2013.
This edition features the Star Post-Presses of 2013.