drupa 2012: Heidelberg Showcases Future Print Applications in the Innovation Gallery

Another example of an intelligent surface is a film-based lighting element that takes the form of "printed light". The lighting effects of printed OLEDs (organic LEDs, light-emitting diodes) can be applied to folding cartons either as a surface area or as an informative detail in the form of numbers, text, or logos. Printed electronics in print products thus constitute the lighting elements of the future.

Yet another new application from Heidelberg is the "Smart Shelf", which delivers ideas for the packaging shelf of the future. In this case, both the folding carton and the surface of the shelf are equipped with printed electronic components to communicate the fill level of the shelf, for example. This technology can also be used with point-of-sale applications for interaction with the customer.

Printing on any surface - including 3D

The "Decorative printing on any surface" section of the Innovation Gallery will give interested visitors the opportunity to discuss possible applications for printing on any curved surface. Although the development from 2D high-productivity industrial printing to 3D is still in its infancy, work in this area has already begun. The focus here is on how everyday objects such as furniture, sports goods, and toys, and industrial products such as architecture and facades can be decorated with customized and reversible designs.

Surface drying and digital imaging

The "drying and structuring surfaces" section of the Innovation Gallery is devoted to new dryer technologies and systems, including energy-efficient UV LED dryer modules and a laser drying technology that heats only the ink and not the substrate, which is advantageous from a process engineering perspective. The major benefit is that it is possible to dramatically cut the waiting times between press and postpress.

The display also features a visionary laser module concept that enables the partial drying or structuring of surfaces. This digital multi-channel module opens up further potential future applications in the area of digital imagi