Future Links CW 48
With our future links we give you an overview of current developments in the printing industry. This week we look at digital production processes, professional photo finishing, strategic business decisions, printed electronics and retail solutions.
Drukkerij Wihabo Installs First Highcon Euclid III
Netherlands-based Drukkerij Wihabo is the first company in the world to implement a Highcon Euclid III digital cutting and creasing machine. Their facility in Geffen already has a HP Indigo 10000 Digital Press and a Kama ProFold 74 folder-gluer. Now, they added the Highcon Euclid III to their end-to-end digital production line-up. Among the reasons for this purchase was the time saved by eliminating the need for die-cutting forms and the demand for same-day deliveries. Additionally, their new machine enables Wihabo to offer differentiated and customized products.
More at WhatTheyThink
New Lay-Flat Bookbinder by Imaging Solutions
Recently, Swiss manufacturer Imaging Solutions (ISAG) expanded its portfolio by a new lay-flat book-binding system for the professional photo finishing market. This invention is called FastBook Professional and able to process XXL book blocks up to 457×457 mm. Being compatible for photo and digital paper, as well as cardboard sheets up to 1mm, it can produce large-format photo albums, catalogues or product presentations in a panoramic layout. With immediate effect two models of the machine are commercially available: the FastBook Professional 600 and the FastBook Professional 1000.
More at Print Week
Konica Minolta Boosts its European Industrial Printing Business
With the opening of a strategic business base in France, Konica Minolta aims to strengthen its European industrial printing business, which is assumed to have huge growth potential. In its first overseas business base, the Japanese company will develop medium- and long-term strategies covering a wide range of market segments such as labels, packaging and textiles. Additionally, Konica Minolta plans to intensify its partnerships with post-press equipment manufacturers from all over Europe.
More at Labels & Labeling
Advancements in Organic Electronic Applications Thanks to Spray-Printed Crystals
A current research led by University of Surrey and National Physical Laboratory might revolutionize printed electronics by enabling high-quality semi-conducting molecular crystals to be directly spray-deposited on any surface. In order to achieve this, the scientists converted organic semi-conducting inks into isolated crystals through a scalable process. This new method is supposed to have great impact on printed electronic applications for flexible circuits such as advanced photodetector arrays, robotic skin tensile sensors, x-ray medical detectors, or miniature lasers.
More at Science Daily
Launch of Smart Collator for POS Sector by Col-Tec
Col-Tec extended its product range by a fulfilment product for printers of large format point-of-sale (POS) and retail graphics. The new machine is equipped with the company’s Intelligent Data Collating software. This allows for different patterns and combinations of sets to follow each other, so that two sets don’t necessarily have to be the same. Since the collator can be either store or client specific, it is able to handle any number of jobs no matter what quantity, simultaneously without interruption
More at Packaging News
