Direct from Düsseldorf

A “revolutionary” inline spectral measurement system was introduced by BST International. Developed in partnership with X-Rite, the QCenter.Spectral is claimed to make inline and offline measurement results comparable for the first time. The fully automated, real-time inline spectral colour measurement system is said to meet the growing demand from flexo, gravure and narrow web printers for reliable in-line and off-line data for colour quality throughout the entire production.

“Our extensive experience in web quality assuring technology combined with X-Rite's industry-leading colour measurement technology resulted in a system creating a new era in press colour control,” said Michael Wiebe, BST’s CTO.

Durst launched the Tau 330 digital UV inkjet label press, featuring print widths of up to either 330mm or 200mm and a printing speed of 48 linear m/min – for a claimed “industry-leading” hourly production capacity of 950m². Its standard colour configuration CMYK can be completed with optional white and two optional orange and violet process colours for applications that require precise Pantone colour matching. The standard configuration also includes RIP software with built-in substrate and colour management.

“Best in class” image quality is said to be achieved by Durst’s proprietary single-pass UV inkjet technology, featuring Xaar 1001 printheads with a physical printing resolution of 720 x 360dpi with drop-on demand, variable drop size and greyscale technology that results in an apparent image resolution of more than 1,000dpi.

Dalim Software highlighted the latest release of its customer-facing online production management ES (Enterprise Solution) at Drupa 2012. ES 3’s sophisticated business and production management tools include a redesigned user interface that makes it easier to access, manage, control, organise, and sort projects and files.

This latest version of the ES platform also includes a PDF-enriching option and an API for easy connectivity with third-party applications. A new check in/check out tool gives the operator complete control over the editing and updating of documents.

As one of the first users of ES 3, paper manufacturer UPM-Kymmene introduced its new service for all-in-one colour and workflow management, UPM ColorCTRL. This cloud-based PDF workflow management application offers approval collaboration, version control, pre-flight checking, collaborative softproofing and colour optimisation with GMG ColorServer. It is said to be the first full turnkey solution of its kind covering the entire process from creating print-ready PDF pages to the final, colour-accurate print product.

Drupa 2012 also saw the worldwide exclusive launch of the d-Flex digital inkjet press from Focus Label Machinery. The new machine incorporates full-colour, high quality inkjet heads into the existing Reflex servo press with in-line UV flexo printhead, diecutting, slitting and rewinding.

Visitors to the company’s stand saw high quality variable images, overprinted “in perfect register” with UV flexo ink, then converted and rewound, in a single pass.

Focus also demonstrated its latest UV Centraflex with a water-cooled central impression drum, designed to compete in the growing markets for unsupported flexible packaging and shrink sleeves and the niche market for printed casings.

The company also launched the benchtop B4 Letterflex press for efficient, economic production of garment labels and decorative ribbons. This offers up to four colours, with various options for reverse side and multiple ribbon printing. A new halogen lamp drying system enables production speeds up to 60m/min.

Manroland Sheetfed took the stage at Drupa 2012 to communicate its excitement about the start of a new era for the newly structured company, following its acquisition by British industrialist Tony Langley and Langley Holdings. “With our new structure firmly in place, customers will experience an even more responsive partner in Manroland sheetfed,” company president Alfred Rothlaender promised.

Latest developments for the packaging market highlighted at the show included: the Roland 708LV press equipped with the new indexed InlineFoiler, which is said to save up to 55% in consumption of foil; an inline coating unit for added-value printing effects; intelligent colour presetting with self-learning software that can bring ongoing productivity gains to the production floor; inline control technology, from colour to register and full sheet inspection down to 200dpi, along with PDF comparison down to 4pt text (multiple camera system) to ensure accuracy and readability of the final printed product.

Visitors also learnt about other high productivity packaging solutions, such as production in half-format with the Roland 500 and medium format with the Roland 700, as well as special 0B+ and 3B+ sizes, with speeds up to 18,000 sheets/hour.