Offset Trends: Tying up the Package at drupa

KBA will showcase the latest generation of the sheetfed Rapida 105, with integrated Delta high-speed digital print capabilities developed by the Atlantic Zeiser Group. The new digital technology is designed for coding and serializing at high offset speeds to address the need for high-quality, individual coding and serialization for product tracking and forgery protection. The new configuration meets the need for “versatility in printing variable data onto different materials without extended setup times.” According to KBA’s Jurgen Veil, “A key point here is the integrated option to code and serialize sheet, label, and packaging printing variably inline.”

www.myprintresource.com/10006232

manroland web systems

Among the packaging-specific offerings from

manroland web systems are the Roland 708LV with a new

indexed foiler that is claimed to reduce foil consumption by 55 percent. The 708LV also has an inline coating unit, intelligent color pre-setting with “self-learning” software, and inline control technology with PDF comparison. Other packaging solutions on display will be the half-format Roland 500 and medium format Roland 700. In addition, manroland web systems now offers “larger formats five and six with the Roland 900 at speeds of up to 16,000 with the high speed packaging equipment.

www.myprintresource.com/10006536

Heidelberg

Heidelberg will be showcasing its latest Speedmaster XL 105, an 18,000 sheet per hour perfector which offers converters the opportunity for double-sided carton printing. The press now allows processes such as blind and hot foil, relief and micro embossing, as well as foiling and high-gloss UV varnishing, which permits in-line production of folding cartons with metallic effects for the first time. The six color XL 105 has a dual coating unit for aqueous and UV and full interdeck UV drying. According to Heidelberg, “UV applications are enjoying continuous growth in both high-quality packaging printing and high-end commercial printing.”

www.myprintresource.com/10005802

Of course, there is a lot more to see at drupa 2012, including, some of the digital offerings in the packaging arena. It will be interesting to see how much of a sea change will occur in this market segment between now and drupa 2016.