Future Links CW 33

New 3D holograms come out of inkjet printers
Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a technology that allows printing 3D holograms on inkjet printers. Usually it is necessary to use complex printers to make 3D holograms that are able to authenticate products or currency. But the invention called Lumii is replacing traditional optics with algorithms so that low-cost 3D holograms can simply be created by computing imaging software. In order to make the 3D effect visible, a backlight is required. That makes it perfectly for billboard commercials as you know them from shopping malls.
More at Lumii’s YouTube channel

Canon’s Analyst Summit 2016
On August 10th Canon Solution America held its Analyst Summit 2016. In several sessions they presented their B2B strategy and latest business results. In the future they aim to shift from a product-driven to a customer-driven organization. Their global sales output in 2015 was $31.4 billion. With their advanced partner program they generated nearly $1 billion in sales. At drupa 2016 they achieved a turnover of over $85 million. Fueled by product series such as imagePRESS, ColorStream, ImageStream and VPi300.
More at Twitter under the hashtag #canonsummit

GAAP net income of $ 8 million in 2Q 2016 for Kodak
Kodak has announced their return to profitability in the second quarter of 2016 thanks to an increase in GAAP income. Totally they generated a GAAP net income of $8 million in 2Q 2016. They reported revenues of $397 million for the second quarter. After 2Q 2016 their cash balance amounted $513 million. One of their most important steps during the quarter was Kodak’s presence at drupa 2016 where they presented more than 20 new products and technologies and introduced new sales targets.
More at Ink World

3D printed truck spare parts by Mercedes-Benz
Daimler introduced a new feature in after-sales: As of September 2016 they supply 3D printed spare parts for trucks on demand. Initially 30 plastic spare parts will be available, but Daimler has already announced to expand their offer. Thanks to the use of latest 3D printing processes they are able to produce even small quantities, quickly and economically.
More at Daimler’s website

The new trend in food packaging 2016: Small flexible packs
According to the global information publisher Euromonitor small flexible plastic packs are one major trend in the food packaging industry in 2016. The strong demand for smaller quantities is the logical consequence to the increasing request of consumers for more control over portions and sugar intake. 0-50 g packaging units experienced the biggest rise in 2015. Until 2020 their market is expected to increase by 4 percent.
More at Packaging News