22 minute read
LABELEXPO AMERICAS 2024
Labelexpo Americas 2024 in Chicago ends on a high note
A total of 450 exhibitors spread across five halls showcased the latest and greatest of their innovations at the event, which took place in September
The recent Labelexpo Americas in Chicago was the place to be for all things labels and packaging. A total of 450 exhibitors took part at the event, with a key focus on flexible packaging and automation.
Many exhibitors took the opportunity to show off their latest and greatest machines, with organisers saying this year’s event had more technologies and live demonstrations than any previous show. These machines included new, wider flexo presses, conventional and hybrid technology as well as a range of digital label and package printing equipment.
Labelexpo Americas group director Tasha Ventimiglia said, “From networking to discovering new products, solutions and technologies in RFID, flexible packaging and automation, as well as a host of educational content, Labelexpo Americas 2024 presented a perfect opportunity for the industry to come together all under one roof to see the latest innovations that are shaping the future of this dynamic industry”.
Here are some of the many technologies that made their way to the show:
A B Graphic International (ABG)
ABG took to Labelexpo Americas to demonstrate its NSU Lite technology. NSU Lite is a new addition to its non-stop winding range. This new system was demonstrated in-line with ABG’s 4th generation converter platform and the recently launched Vectra AutoSet Turret Rewinder, displaying seamless integration and non-stop capabilities.
Non-stop production is achieved by automatically butt splicing the leading roll edge of a new roll to the trailing end of the current, running roll without any drop in process speed. The machine is highly efficient and ensures as little roll material is wasted as possible during this process.
Additionally, ABG presented its flagship Digicon Series 3, including the ABG Connect workflow system. This system exemplifies ABG’s commitment to automation and streamlined processes, allowing users to experience significant improvements in operational efficiency.
Providing a comprehensive overview of ABG’s extensive product range, live demonstrations of several key solutions were also available. These include SRIs, a DigiLite, DigiLase and Shrink Sleeve solutions, each designed to address specific industry challenges and enhance production capabilities.
The SRI 3 was on display and Ralph Wirtz from ABG discussed the technology with ProPack.pro.
“The SRI 3 is a slitter/rewinder and this machine has been upgraded with some nice modules like die cutting and inkjet printing. It prints beautiful labels and delivers on wasteless print,” he said.
Currie Group is the technology partner of ABG in the supply of digital finishing solutions to the A/NZ label and packaging market.
BOBST
BOBST set up shop at Labelexpo for visitors to experience live demonstrations of its Digital Master 340.
The Digital Master 340 showed BOBST’s all-in-one label production concept with printing, finishing, die-cutting and quality control in a single pass. As every machine in the Digital Master series, it features ACCUCHECK – BOBST’s proprietary inline inspection and calibration system.
It also comes with full digital automation on all print and finishing modules, controlled via a single user-friendly interface that offers cloud-connectivity to BOBST Connect and third-party MIS integration.
Visitors also were educated about the new BOBST Connect and pre-press features. Combined with an extensive network of industry partners, it allows label converters to accelerate job preparation, with faster job completion, less dependent on operator skills, and with a more connected production floor.
At the event, Patrick Graber from BOBST said, “BOBST Connect connects end-toend production floors from brand owners to the end customer. This is part of the implementation of our industry vision, where we gather data from every single step of the process of the complete production line, which helps to improve, automate and optimise your production in future.”
BOBST’s label solutions are intended to address three major pain points: ease of use, workflow integration and colour consistency across all technologies. In this regard, BOBST experts also discussed oneECG (Extended Color Gamut) printing technology for inline flexo presses.
Canon
Canon showcased its first water-based inkjet label press, the LabelStream LS2000. Based on innovative Canon technologies and designed for industrial-scale label printing, the LabelStream LS2000 was announced in October 2023.
The five-colour inkjet digital label press prints CMYK plus white on self-adhesive substrates, with a new ink set designed to comply with food safety standards.
It also prints on a variety of media types such as coated and uncoated paper, and synthetic PVE, PET and PPE.
The machine was designed to serve the surging demand for digital, high-quality label converting, and implements many newly developed Canon technologies, such as high-density aqueous ink, printhead, advanced fixing system and a variety of automation features designed to support efficient production.
“It is ideal for any type of labels for your specific needs,” Canon USA’s Jason Koyama said at the event.
Visitors to Canon’s booth at the tradeshow also saw live label production on paper and film media on the LabelStream LS2000.
Other highlights from the Canon booth included:
• The LX-P5510, LX-D5500, and LX-P1300 dye and pigment-based inkjet desktop printers to meet the needs of on demand in-house printed labels
• The Colorado M-series roll-fed printer, the modular 64-inch roll-to-roll printer with optional UVgel white ink
CERM
At Labelexpo Americas, CERM introduced its AI-support chatbot and had a lot of interest for its AI-based planning optimiser, CERM Scheduling Optimizer.
The cloud-based AI solution aims to transform the landscape of job scheduling in the labels and packaging printing industry. The technology is based on constraint optimisation and is tailored to a user’s unique production processes and printing methods.
The CERM MIS Software serves as the gateway to this innovation. It pushes a dataset of all orders that are ready for production into the Scheduling Optimizer application. Using a set of customisable parameters, the AI-scheduling cloud application processes this data, returning an optimised schedule to the user’s CERM MIS.
One of the standout features of the CERM Scheduling Optimizer is its ability to prevent production bottlenecks. The AI-technology prioritises in-timeproduction and delivery, allowing scheduling operators to focus on efficiency parameters and to concentrate on the most critical aspect of production: costeffectiveness and profitability.
When comparing manual scheduling to AI-scheduling, the CERM MIS planning report reveals a slight edge in timely scheduled jobs. However, the real benefits of AI scheduling are more profound and less immediately visible.
The CERM AI-Scheduling Optimizer completes the scheduling of a user’s entire order list in about an hour, according to the company. CERM said it meticulously adheres to all predefined parameters, achieving a level of precision and consistency unattainable by human schedulers.
Durst
Durst showcased a captivating lineup of its products, including the new hybrid KJet. Making its American debut at the snow, the KJet is an end-to-end solution that combines OMET’s dual servo flexo printing units with Durst’s RSCi inkjet technology.
Modules for finishing and further processing (such as cold foil stamping or die-cutting units) can be integrated into the KJet, offering flexibility and an enormously broad application portfolio. In addition, the configuration of the KJet can be tailored to the specific requirements of each customer.
The launch of the KJet follows an announcement at Labelexpo in Brussels extending the hybrid development partnership between the two organisations beyond the XJet platform.
Durst labels and flexible packaging head of product management Martin Leitner was at Labelexpo Americas talking about the features of the machine.
“The KJet is a digital labels production machine that showcases the power of the Durst RSCi inkjet technology. It is available in a 420mm-wide configuration, as well as a 510mm-wide configuration, and can hold up to nine colours in digital – CMYK, orange, violet, green, and double white,” Leitner said.
Durst also had on display the Durst Tau RSCi. Designed for an industrial level of productivity, this printer offers high quality in an economical way. Available in printing widths of 330, 420 or 510mm, the printer is a productivity workhorse with printing speeds up to 100m/min.
The printer can be equipped with the double white feature, increasing productivity when printing with white ink at highest opacity to 80m/min.
Durst Software & Solutions rounded out the lineup. The software ecosystem ranges from web shops and online graphics editors to comprehensive workflow and analytics solutions, and ERP/MIS systems, all to help improve and simplify business.
Esko
Visitors that attended Labelexpo Americas this year discovered the latest innovations in the Esko ecosystem that are helping brands and label converters to accelerate go-to-market of goods. These advancements include cloud technology, sophisticated estimating software, and inline inspection hardware.
“Representing a significant advancement in software architecture, the new Esko S2 platform is a multi-tenant cloud-native platform that delivers on a new technological reality based on cloud computing, data sharing, and artificial intelligence,” Esko director of marketing, industry relations and strategy Jan De Roeck said.
“All strategic Esko applications – from ArtPro+, ArtiosCAD, and the award-winning Phoenix through to Cape Pack and Automation Engine – connect to the new platform, giving all stakeholders in the value chain 24/7 real-time access to live data and identical resources, wherever in the world they reside. Moreover, Esko S2 is an open platform supporting connectivity with partners.”
Existing customers will be able to seamlessly integrate their Esko on-premise applications with the S2 platform, for a new way of working.
As well as introducing its newest software platform, Esko also demonstrated its latest hardware innovations – its AVT varnish inspection solutions.
The new Varnish Inspection Module for the Esko AVT Helios system facilitates viewing and inspection of varnish and coating on various printed substrates simultaneously with print inspection. This unique and patented Varnish Inspection Module detects issues such as varnish misregister, partial and full starvation simultaneously with the existing print defect detection.
As an add-on to the Helios system, the Varnish Inspection Module enables the concurrent review and monitoring of varnish and coating on multiple printed materials, enabling labels converters to achieve maximum output while reducing waste in their print production process.
Gallus/Heidelberg
Gallus, a subsidiary of Heidelberg, is aiming to transform the narrow-web print landscape with its latest research – Gallus MatteJet technology.
Announced at Labelexpo Americas 2024, the company said the innovation represents an important advancement in inkjet printing, unlocking a premium matte finish previously unachievable with digital inkjet, bringing the possibilities of inkjet technology to the wine label market for the very first time.
Exemplifying Heidelberg’s position as a total solution provider for all modern printing processes – offering the entire spectrum from toner to inkjet, offset printing to flexo and all controlled from a common Prinect workflow – MatteJet was developed in-house at Gallus’ innovation hub in St. Gallen, the Gallus Experience Center.
At Labelexpo Americas 2024, Gallus exhibited alongside Heidelberg, where it explained how this innovation addresses one of the key challenges that has historically restricted the growth of digital inkjet technology.
Importantly, visitors at the show also learnt how MatteJet transforms the market segment for wine and spirit labels and provided converters with the key to a profitable new area of business growth.
The glossy finish inherent to digital inkjet technology has been one of the foremost barriers to its widespread adoption across labels and packaging – specifically in premium segments such as wine and spirit labels where brands traditionally expect a sophisticated matte finish.
Until today, this was only achievable through conventional printing, or the addition of post-processing equipment to utilise matt varnishes, adding time, complexity and cost.
Now, Gallus MatteJet technology delivers fast, cost-effective, and high-quality matte finishing capabilities, integrated directly into the digital inkjet process.
This will allow converters to achieve a high-end matte finish at the touch of a button, without changing inks or adding overprint varnish, eliminating the need for external finishing processes or separate conventional machines.
MatteJet will also enable more converters and brands to enjoy the benefits of digital printing, such as more profitable short runs, personalisation, and on-demand printing.
Designed to integrate with Gallus’ Digital Printing Unit, the new MatteJet technology also represents further expansion of Gallus’ System to Compose concept. Under the System to Compose, converters can add, adjust and remove units to their Gallus One as their business needs evolve – now further expanded to comprise workflow and service options as well as equipment.
The latest iteration of the Gallus One also made its global tradeshow debut at this Labelexpo, in the newly expanded 430mm web width.
Visitors to the stand saw first-hand the possibilities achievable with its recently extended colour gamut, with the integration of orange and violet Saphira inks developed jointly in-house with Heidelberg.
Existing equipment can be effortlessly retrofitted or modified, and entirely new configurations can be customised by integrating all proven Gallus Labelmaster modules, up- and downstream, allowing print service providers to “compose your print masterpiece” with the Gallus One.
The Gallus one facilitates not just gamechanging levels of adaptability, but market-leading levels of speed and quality – boosting profitability, by design.
The fully hybrid solution also has the capability to not only print in four colours but also in orange and violet with the gamut extended.
“This hybrid solution allows us to combine our system to compose directly with all the configurations. At the front of the system, we can add some flexo printing units from the Labelmaster. Downstream we can add other functionalities like embellishing and die-cutting,” Heidelberg head of sales Thomas Schweizer said.
“What’s also new is that with regular inkjet, labels are glossy. But now, we have new technology that allows matt labels to be printed. With just a push of a button, we can change the behaviour of the ink from glossy to matt. This is totally revolutionary.”
Global Graphics Software/ Hybrid Software
Global Graphics Software, a Hybrid Software company, has integrated its SmartDFE solution into more OEMs’ digital presses, naming Mark Andy and Dantex as its latest partners at Labelexpo Americas.
Hybrid Software has expanded its partnership with Mark Andy to integrate SmartDFE into the Mark Andy Digital Series HD press.
In addition, it has announced a strategic partnership with Dantex Group to integrate SmartDFE into Dantex’s Pico range of digital UV inkjet printers.
Hybrid Software CEO Mike Rottenborn said, “Here at Labelexpo Americas, we finally have closed the loop between our offering for OEMs – companies who make digital presses – and print providers –companies who buy them to print labels and packaging.
“The same products we use for professional pre-press tools are also integrated in front of many other digital front ends. We’ve made two major announcements at the show – our SmartDFE driving the Mark Andy Digital Series HD Press as well as the Dantex Pico range.”
SmartDFE is a full software stack for highspeed, single-pass, label and packaging inkjet presses. It includes everything from job creation and pre-press workflow through to printhead drive electronics. SmartDFE includes print intelligence, giving users quality and secure connectivity to power Industry 4.0 scenarios.
Mark Andy said the Digital Series HD already offers high-definition digital printing with the capability to handle complex and variable data jobs.
It added that the Mark Andy Digital Series HD has one of the most robust and durable profiles in the hybrid inkjet printing space. Adding on SmartDFE to its digital front-end solution has enabled it with a toolkit that delivers complete workflow automation.
As for the Dantex Pico range, it offers highly productive, affordable label printing for short- to long-runs, no minimum run quantity, minimal waste, fast turnarounds and makes label production fast and easy.
PicoJet models are available as either reelto-reel or as a true hybrid press with inline finishing capabilities – modular station options include: flexo, die cut, cold foil, lamination, edge trim, back scoring and rotary or shear slitting. SmartDFE integration adds to a user-friendly experience.
HP
Currie Group sold its first HP Indigo 200K digital press in A/NZ to existing partner Ultra Labels & Flexpack in Brisbane.
The deal was made at Labelexpo Americas, where Currie Group A/NZ labels and packaging director Mark Daws made the announcement.
“I am absolutely thrilled to announce that we sold the very first HP Indigo 200K digital press in A/NZ to our dear friends and partners at Ultra Labels & Flexpack in Brisbane,” Mark Daws said.
“This press is the next iteration of a number of machines that they have – Series 3, Series 4 and this is the Series 5. It is very well suited to digital labels and flexible packaging – primarily flexible packaging which we see as a big growth opportunity.
“We are very excited to see how this cutting-edge technology will grow their production capabilities, delivering unmatched quality and efficiency for labels and flexible packaging.
“Congratulations to Ross Fursey, Johnny Marusic, and the whole team at Ultra. We are proud to partner with you on your continued journey in digital labels and flexible packaging.”
Ultra Labels & Flexpack also owns eight HP S3 presses, a Series 4 press, and now the Series 5 press, all purchased from Currie Group.
At the show, HP exhibited the HP Indigo 200K Digital Press with an add-on slitter and the HP Indigo 6K Digital Press. This comprehensive portfolio, along with the HP Indigo V12 Digital Press, aims to offer customers a wide range of options, leading to above market growth of HP Indigo users. HP Indigo digital press fleet is part of an E2E approach including the Digital Pouch Factory, ABG Non-stop Winding and converting. The HP PrintOS software suite helps converters automate the entire production line and produce higher volumes thanks to its complete ecosystem across leading industry players.
In addition, adjoining stations such as PrintOS Spot Master showed how to reach spot colours within minutes and streamline the print process, or automated workflow solutions to demonstrate how Intelligent Automation can address key customer challenges such as labour shortages, waste reduction, mass customisation, and on-demand production.
Karlville
Karlville Converting and Karlville Swiss came together to display their post-print flexible packaging machinery for pouch production, lamination, and slitting, in collaboration with HP Indigo.
Karlville had on display its compact pouch machine, the KS-SUP-400-D, which is made for short- to medium-runs and caters to digital and conventional printing. Some of its features include offering minimal waste, low power consumption, as well as low maintenance costs and quick setup.
Karlville also had on show its Converting Compact Thermal Laminator, designed for surface print applications. It utilises a Protect-all MET PET in conjunction with Nobelus Soft Touch thermal laminate.
In addition, the Karlville Swiss Compact D Model pouch machine was on display, facilitating rapid changes for standup pouches using Charter MDO PE Mono Material.
Karlville is available in A/NZ from Currie Group.
Kurz
Kurz presented the latest development from its subsidiary Steinemann DPE, the DM-Uniliner 3D, at Labelexpo Americas,
The DM-Uniliner 3D is a modular, standalone digital printing system for finishing labels with impressive 3D effects. The digital printing system for narrow web label printing enables almost flat as well as raised coating and metallisation effects.
With the machine, unusual design ideas for small to medium-sized product series and special editions in the narrow web sector can be implemented digitally and cost-effectively. At the heart of the system is Steinemann DPE’s inkjet technology with UV varnishing, combined with Kurz Digital Metal finishing technology.
Up to six different metallisation rolls can be processed in parallel on the DM-Uniliner 3D. The digital varnishing can be used as functional protection over the digital metallisation, or simply as a design element.
Depending on the substrate and design, 3D print jobs can be finished at up to 100 m/min on the machine, with roll diameters of up to 800mm enabling time-optimised work without roll changes.
The industrial design with intuitive and easy-to-use operation provides fast job changes, and the system also impresses with its low varnish consumption, very short setup times and low maintenance requirements.
Mark Andy
With a strong presence and focus on helping its customers perform and scale, Mark Andy exhibited five of its latest technologies as well as additional cuttingedge systems and products, highlighting the company’s commitment to driving progress in the narrow web industry.
Mark Andy CEO Duane Pekar said, “Our commitment to advancing print technology is exemplified by our ongoing partnerships with Domino and Konica Minolta, and our continued development of best-in-class products”.
Mark Andy’s exhibits included the:
Digital Pro MAX: An advanced digital press designed for versatility and high-quality output in single-pass label production showcasing the collaboration between Mark Andy and Konica Minolta. Like all Mark Andy digital presses, the Pro MAX featured the company’s proprietary semi-rotary die-cutting technology, a highlight of a true hybrid solution for toner-based applications.
Digital Series HD: Offering high-definition digital printing with the capability to handle complex and variable data jobs, the Mark Andy Digital Series HD has one of the most robust and durable profiles in the hybrid inkjet printing space. The press debuted the company’s next-generation digital front-end solution, a toolkit that delivers complete workflow automation.
P Series S9: Also making its debut at Labelexpo was the P Series S9, engineered for both label and flexible packaging markets. This new press features flexo sleeve technology and boasts high reliability, aiming to deliver cost-effective, high-quality performance in 22-inch and 26-inch web widths.
A Mark Andy Pro Series press highlighted its continued collaborative partnership with Domino. The Pro Series is fully servo-driven and will integrate Domino’s K600i and K300 high-speed monochrome variable data printing solutions, reinforcing the versatility and performance of Mark Andy’s flexo portfolio.
iQ-R on 2200 Platform: Featuring the DOMINO iQ-R digital engine mounted on the Mark Andy 2200 flexo press. This collaboration between Mark Andy and Domino showcases the synergy of integrating an affordable, fully digital solution into Mark Andy’s trademark flexo technology.
OMET
OMET enhanced its presence at Labelexpo Americas by providing a free shuttle to its new Americas Innovation Center, which housed the OMET KFlex, a 17-inch flexo printing platform.
Boasting an innovative design and advanced technology, the KFlex, which is also available in a 20-inch model, introduces a different approach to flexographic printing, making it one of the most flexible and user-friendly machines in the industry. It features the SWITCH System, allowing for rapid response to production needs and process optimisation across the entire line. Alongside its advanced performance and printing quality, the KFlex ensures maximum productivity and versatility.
During demonstrations at the Innovation Center, the KFlex was equipped with an in-line RFID antenna insertion system provided by Tamarack, an industry leader in RFID equipment solutions, addressing the growing demand for RFID solutions in the market. Additionally, the machine was equipped with a full UV LED system, reducing energy consumption by over 60 per cent, promoting environmental sustainability. At the OMET booth, the XFlex X7 26-inch printing module for flexible packaging was displayed.
This machine combines the best features of XFlex X6.0 and VaryFlex V2, offering various printing combinations and special effects for high-value end products. OMET said the XFlex X7 is ideal for flexible packaging and shrink labels, thanks to the advanced XFlex flexo unit technology, motorised printing pressures, and Multivision camera on each printing unit with On-the-Fly registration.
OMET is available in A/NZ from Currie Group.
Screen
In the label printing market, where digital printing machines have become more widespread, solutions are required not only for improved quality, operability, and productivity, but also for higher compatibility with various substrates and additional value.
As such, Screen showcased the Truepress Label 350UV SAI S, an inkjet label press with a digital primer unit that applies a primer to enhance adhesion between the substrate and the ink only on the area where the ink is applied.
The primer unit operates automatically, generating a primer layer based on print data. This automation enhances the ease of use in digital printing. The primer itself can be nearly transparent and used decoratively like varnish, adding value to printed materials. This development broadens the range of materials and applications for digital printing, increases efficiency, reduces waste, and lowers power consumption, thus improving the system’s environmental impact.
With this advancement, the L350UV SAI S allows users to tap into new markets that were previously challenging for inkjet technology.
In addition, Screen displayed its Truepress PAC 520P, a digital inkjet press for paper packaging, and the Truepress PAC 830F, a digital inkjet press for flexible packaging, at the tradeshow.
The Truepress PAC 520P is a high-quality, productive digital press capable of printing on paper-packaging substrates. It is equipped with water-based inks that comply with the regulations required for food packaging.
The Truepress PAC 830F prints on flexible packaging substrates such as PET and OPP with five colours: CMYK+W. The press reaches a speed up to 75 metres per minute and produces a resolution of 1200dpi by 1200dpi.
Jet Technologies is the local partner of Screen in A/NZ.
