Eye on Ipex

PRINT
Claiming to be one of the largest ultrasonic cleaning suppliers to the industry, Alphasonics offers a wide range of products and services to the flexo, sheet-fed offset, gravure and speciality printing markets.
Developments on display at Ipex will include several examples of the Alphasound Dual Frequency anilox cleaner, plus an AS1000 UV parts washer including 'on board' water treatment, a PC500 flexo plate cleaner, a 'through chamber' anilox cleaning set-up, plus a blanket wash cleaning system.
The benefits of Alphasound are clearly demonstrated, the company boasts, through the successful awards its customers have achieved. Alphasonics users have achieved 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in every category of every label print award in the UK for the last six years. Hall 1, stand 1-D52.
Gallus/BHS Druck und Verededelungstechnik and Mendel are sharing a stand in hall 1. Gallus recently acquired a 30 per cent stake in BHS Druck.
The BHS Flexline Intro is a flexo press for paperboard and folding cartons, as well as flexible packaging. It is said to be best suited for "cost conscious entry" into the mid web range for printing from reel to reel, reel to cut blank or reel to sheet. All common ink systems (water, solvent and/or UV) can be used. High productivity is achieved by cassette and sleeve change systems. There are individual servodrives for the printing cylinder, anilox roll and impression cylinder. In-line finishing modules include gravure printing, screen printing, lacquering, laminating, hot foil and cold foil.
The Gallus KM 410/510 S narrow web in-line system is claimed to "open up an entirely new dimension in high quality value added folding carton converting". Its modular design allows the user to print, process and finish complex cartonboard packaging jobs in a single pass. The servo driven hybrid flexo and screen printing units, with front loading of printing cylinder and anilox roller sleeves, combined with pre-setting functions, are said to simplify working processes, and to reduce the set-up and change-over times to a minimum.
Medesa's Webmaster RG die cutter will produce lids, flat or drawn blanks (preformed) from foil, film or laminated paper with the "highest possible precision". Top speed is 300 cycles/min. Hall 1, stand 1-F65.
Comexi reports another successful year worldwide for its medium and large size flexo sleeve presses. In April, the company will deliver its first FW model in 10 colours. This machine is said to allow non stop work and changes while running up to 5 + 5 colours. In May, there will be new Proslit high productivity and economic slitter models. Nexus, now an independent division of the group, is to introduce an Evo Plus laminator capable of 500m/min. Enviroxi is preparing a new self cleaning design, and the Comexi do Brasil subsidiary will launch its redesigned FJR 8 flexo gear press aimed at markets in emerging countries. Hall 1, stand 1-D40.
ISO 9001:2000 certified Indian company Convertech Equipment manufactures high quality lamella type doctor blades for the rotogravure and flexo industries. Made from a highly refined steel strip, these blades are exported to many countries and are available in several varieties and edge configurations based on customer specifications and process requirements.
On display will be a range of doctor blades for standard printing applications and premium blades claimed to offer low friction doctoring with longer running life. Hall 1, stand 1-G58.
Drent Goebel's VSOP web offset press offers a modular design claimed to enable packaging printers to get the best of every technology. The company recently developed an insert that temporarily transforms an offset printing unit into a flexo unit. It is said to be suitable for printing varnishing, primers, cover white and metallic inks. The printer can decide where it is positioned within the press.
The price is said to be a fraction of that of a fixed flexo unit. Hall 5, stand 5-E15.
HP says its exhibit will represent "a convergence of digital and conventional printing, opening new business opportunities for print service providers". It will feature the HP Indigo press ws4050 demonstrating end-to-end production to meet market requirement for high specification labels on-demand. The press can also be used for flexible packaging and shrink sleeve applications.
The HP mPrinter 4000, a high speed inkjet variable data marking and coding system for applications including labels and packaging, will also be on show. Hall 4, stand 4-B25.
A stand of over 1,300m² will demonstrate KBA's wide range of sheet-fed presses, including the 18,000impressions/hour Rapida 105 long perfector, which will be demonstrated in its 10-unit configuration with a reel sheeter. Also on show will be the Genius 52 UV, the B3 press said to be making inroads into a variety of print on plastics markets.
Ipex will also see the UK debut of the Performa 74, KBA's new "very affordable" press for the mid range market. It will be seen in its five colour plus coater version.
The company reports 2005 as its most successful year yet in the UK, with "solid growth in installations of long perfectors" and a total of four giant Rapida 205 presses into the point of purchase print market. Hall 4, stands 4-B60/B70.
<b>CONTROL and INSPECTION</b>
AVT's proven automatic inspection systems for packaging, labels and converting will be demonstrated alongside new advances.
PrintVision/Jupiter automatically detects defects in various print processes. The PrintVision/Argus provides combined process control and automatic, 100 per cent quality assurance inspection. PrintVision/Helios offers automatic, 100 per cent inspection for quality assurance workflow.
The Prestige press control package automatically handles all makeready tasks and controls the associated press parameters during the run. It comprises three modules, each claimed to reduce makeready time and material waste significantly. These are the pRegister automatic register pre-setting and control, Presco automatic plate and anilox pressure pre-setting and control, and IDEal in-line colour measurement.
PrintFlow Manager provides data management for controlling production quality from a desktop computer. WorkFlow Link transfers quality information from press to rewinder for efficient removal of defective material. The Closed Loop Inspection option compares current (live) prints with 'good copy masters' from sources including prepress PDF files, approved copies, or previous jobs. Hall 1, stand 1-D65.
New products from Eltromat will include a "cost effective and accurate" add-on colour monitoring module, for use with the wv_3000 and meshcon_3 video inspection and flexo press register systems. Closed loop colour control for use with the offcon_3 suite of offset press controls will also appear.
A dynamic register control system features a new statistical analysis front end and simplified operator interface, to give improved register control and waste reduction on gravure presses and other applications. Also showcased will be a new 100 per cent inspection system. Hall1, stand 1-G56.
<b>PREPRESS</b>
CIP4, The International Co-operation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press, and Postpress, and UP3I, the Universal Printer Pre and Post Processing Interface organization, will jointly present a free Integrated Digital Printing Forum on the afternoon of April 5, in the JDF Pavilion Theatre at Ipex.
The UP3I specification and CIP4's Job Definition Format (JDF) are two of the foundations of fully automated digital printing. UP3I provides a standard interface between a digital printer and pre and post processing devices that are tightly coupled with the printer, even if the components are from different manufacturers. It makes it possible to communicate with all the components in the system and transmit dynamic controls to trigger changes in cutting and fold formats - said to result in greater productivity through faster set-up times, particularly for very short press runs.
The JDF specification provides a standard for the exchange of job information, including customer intent and processing specifications. Together, JDF and UP3I can facilitate the continuum of digital printing from customer order, press set-up, production, and status reporting, it is claimed.
"This is a first, a potentially one-of-a-kind opportunity for users and manufacturers to get a complete picture of how these two specifications work together," says Rainer Prosi, of Heidelberg, and CIP4's technology director. "Users in particular will get a clear picture of what to expect from modern digital printing systems and where the future of digital printing is going." Hall 20, JDF Pavilion Theatre.
CIP4
Following 18 months of development, in co-operation with many leading printers, DiMS! organizing print will launch its 700 software release. Extended functionality of the proactive Today workflow page is said to make the tool even more powerful and flexible. It includes a new estimating and pricing model dedicated to the packaging industry, the Packaging Estimation Wizard. This offers a fast way to create packaging estimates and quotes, and includes contract management. Hall 20, stand 20-C15.
Aiming to make graphic arts workflows as reliable and productive as possible, Enfocus will introduce PitStop Automate. The company will also showcase the latest edition of PitStop Professional 7.0, offering a host of new features to deliver enhanced productivity and efficiency.
Automation enabling technologies PDF preflight, PDF editing, Action Lists, and Certified PDF are said to streamline graphic arts creation processes while maintaining absolute quality control. Automate extends these technologies to bring an advanced level of automation.
Enfocus Instant PDF is claimed to offer reliable certified PDF creation, making it easier for individual document creators to deliver error-free PDF files.
Beyond PDF preflight and editing, PitStop Automate permits file sorting and conditional workflows based on file type, size and other file or document properties. Multiple page PDFs can be split into many single page PDFs, and electronic file delivery can be achieved through FTP and email. Hall 6, stand 6-A20.
Equipment to be shown by JM Heaford will be a narrow web drum flexo proof press and a table top plate mounting machine. The drum press is said to be invaluable in critical areas where a production quality proof is required and the plate print quality must be seen prior to production (including on-press customer approval).
Heaford's product range includes mounting and proofing systems for labels, cartons, flexible packaging, corrugated, flexo and gravure. Heaford Services, the distribution division, will be showing prepress and on-press ancillary equipment such as AKL sleeve systems, Rogers and tesa mounting tape, Microclean anilox cleaning systems and other flexo consumable products. Hall 1, stand 1-F75.
Products ranging from image capture to output, as well as new powerful workflow tools, will be demonstrated on Kodak's Graphic Communications Group 2000m² stand. Highlights include a new approach to print management information systems, the Enterprise Management Solution; the new all-in-one processless CTP package incorporating Thermal Direct non process plates; the Magnus 400 CTP imaging device and Prinergy Evo PDF processor; and the Nexpress 2100 plus and 2500 digital production colour presses.
The Matchprint system is the first drop-on-demand proofing system to be based on powerful Kodak developed software. The Thermoflex narrow flexo-offset CTP device is able to image offset, flexo and letterpress plates and film. The Versamark VX5000e is the company's latest continuous inkjet printing system.
New workflow tools include the Automated Versioning and Rules based Automation features in the Prinergy 3 workflow management system. Hall 5, stand 5-D70.
Visitors to the RK Print Coat stand will see a small version of the VCM Versatile Converting Machine. Custom built, the VCM can be used for developing new coated products, testing substrate receptivity, quality control purposes, specialized PS tape/label production and security related products. Users can choose from more than 15 different printing and coating systems, including hotmelt, reverse roll, meter bar, rotary screen (printing and coating), gravure-offset (printing and coating), flexo, reverse gravure coating, and knife-over-roll.
The FlexiProof 100 and FlexiProof UV multi tasking bench top systems will also figure in the company's exhibit. Hall 5, stand 5-F45.
Recent acquisitions in the label and packaging sectors are said to have made Shuttleworth the MIS market leader for labels, flexibles and packaging in the UK.
The company has added a new module to its suite of production control systems. Using any web browser, users can book time to jobs as well as accessing all relevant job data including stock locations, images and status. The new SFDC module is said to introduce JDF technology to the factory in a controlled and highly cost effective manner. Devices like handheld PCs, touchscreens and Apple Macs can all be used as collection points.
The integrated Customer Relationship Management module has benefited from considerable additional functionality, including automated prompts, web access for remote workers and variable status alerts. Users can access all relevant data with just a few clicks. Important features such as proof management and the recording of extra charges mean that CRM can actually generate additional revenue - paying for itself many times over in the first year alone, the company claims.
In addition, the Estimating system can now be tailored to almost any requirement. The company claims no other package offers this flexibility. Hall 20, stand 20-B60.
Showing integrated workflow for multiple applications, Turning Point Technologies will host Dalim Software, Xinet, Lüscher and Triple Triangle. Several new products will be announced at the show.
Dalim exhibits will include Twist intelligent automated workflow software, and the Mistral internet based production management and job tracking system. Portal will be an Xinet highlight demonstrating virtual asset hosting, enhanced security and greater flexibility for digital asset management systems. Lüscher will have its FlexPose! flexo platesetters on show.
The Colour Products Division is to demonstrate innovative closed loop colour management supporting both digital inkjet and on-line proofing applications, featuring new colour technologies from Epson, GMG, Alwan Color, X-Rite and Monaco. For remote and collaborative viewing, soft proofing and job validation of high resolution files on-line, the flexibility of Dalim's Dialogue will be shown in a variety of workflow scenarios.
Integrating these technologies, TPT claims to be the only UK specialist to provide scalable server products, powerful storage and digital asset management systems, e-procurement, multi functional colour managed workflows, digital and soft proofing, CTP, digital and large format printing.
A confidential Bespoke Software Service and Colour Clinic will be available to visitors. Hall 6, stand 6-B40.
<b>DRYING and CURING</b>
GEW will show its e-System of UV curing lamps configured for specific tasks. The VCP models are designed for narrow web presses (up to 500mm), the new eCP lamphead is for mid web presses (450-750mm) and the hCP with water cooling is for wide web presses (up to 1,500mm).
The company works closely with CI press manufacturers to drive the use of UV flexo technology as a process capable of competing against gravure in quality, in particular for wraparound and shrink sleeves, and pouches. The culmination of this initiative is the new dedicated hCP model for CI presses designed to process most types of flexible packaging, including unsupported films and foils.
At the heart of the e-System is the e-Brick power supply. High frequency electrical output is said to increase UV power efficiency by a minimum of 10 per cent. Additionally, savings in shipping and handling costs are realised while freeing up valuable shop floor space and providing environmental benefits, states GEW.
The power modules offer either a nine or 12kW output and measure a compact 280mm wide, 275mm high and lengths of 580 or 840mm, respectively. Weight is 24kg for the 9kW unit and 32kg for the 12kW model. In some cases, it is possible to mount the power supplies within the press rather than the large and heavy control cabinets traditionally used. Hall 1, stand 1-D70.
Heraeus Amba will exhibit its wide range of UV curing and metal halide lamps. The company can supply replacement UV or MH lamps for all types of equipment, and offers a full OEM design and manufacturing service. Lamps are available for equipment used in label printing, packaging, CD/DVD manufacturing, screen printing, inkjet printing, and adhesive curing. Technical staff will be available on the stand to offer information and advice to visitors on all aspects of UV curing technology. Hall 5, Stand F54
Visitors to the Primarc stand willl see a range of medium pressure mercury arc lamps and electrodeless microwave bulbs suitable for all known UV curing systems. The company will also exhibit its extended series of spectrally enhanced metal halide lamps.
New developments in conjunction with OEM Nordson UV have led to the introduction of a 1,500 hour lamp guarantee on all standard Quadcure lamps.
The company claims to offer arguably the shortest lead times of tailormade UV curing lamps in the industry. For standard lamps that are non stock, it can offer a three-five day turnaround. A fast-track system enables same-day shipment of emergency replacement lamps for "little additional cost".
Used worldwide for curing inks and coatings in the printing, packaging and labelling industries, all lamps are manufactured to ISO 9001:2000. Hall 4, stand 4-F22.
UV-technik's new strategy is "to offer OEM quality, long life UV curing lamps". The company states: "Every user knows the problem that although the lamp 'works', there are times when the coating edges do not completely dry, especially when operating at full power. The reason for this is the erosion of the electrodes, which results in blackening around the electrode area. This can be as much as 2-3cm on each end, so the maximum possible printing width gradually becomes smaller."
The special Everclear halogen cycle in the company's lamps is claimed to prevent the edges from blackening, which can increase lamp life up to approximately 4,000 hours. Hall 4, stand 4-E05.
New from Kocher and Beck is the IOC Inline Offset Cutting system. Suitable for use on most sheet-fed offset presses this flexible die system enables printing, cutting, perforating and creasing all in a single pass. Quick and easy installation is said to result in greatly reduced press set-up and downtimes.
Also new will be flexible male/female carton dies for the lightweight carton market.
Kocher and Beck supplies flexible cutting tools and magnetic systems for sheet-fed, self adhesive labels, business forms, envelopes and light cartonboard. Its product range includes magnetic cylinders, printing cylinders, gears, and Gapmaster adjustable cutting stations. Hall 5, stand 5-E51.
<b>CUTTING and CREASING</b>
W H Leary will unveil dedicated gluing systems for multi point, flexo and carton folder gluers. The LS-4 controller series is said to bring advanced gluing and quality assurance technology to a new range of packaging manufacturers. Advances in glue application and automatic correction systems "help users to increase throughput without running the risk of quality issues". Although the technology is advanced, Leary is keen to stress how quick and simple to use the new systems are.
The LS-4 system can be specified as a gluing only controller, a detection only controller (generally used to monitor third party glue application systems) or a combination of the two, making glue application and detection simple through one control unit. It can be retrofitted to existing glue systems, enabling users to benefit from the new technology without having to replace their entire system. The LS-4 also offers bar code reading, insert, skew and RFID detection options. Hall 2, stand 2-C46.
Exclusive UK agent Pema Rules will be demonstrating the latest in automatic rule processing technology from the Servi-form range. The Unica Top is an 'all in one' integrated machine designed for die makers who manufacture carton and corrugated formes. It will process steel rule from 23.8-30mm in 2 and 3pt. Hall 3, stand 3-E35.
In a separate section of the Heidelberg stand, Polar will demonstrate a stand-alone DC-M punch for off-line production of die-cut labels in small to medium volumes, and a 137 Autotrim guillotine system with multi station bander for production of square cut labels.
The LabelSystem SC-20 includes the company's 137 Autotrim M automatic high speed cutter and the "extremely flexible" BM-105 multi-station bander. This system is targeted for industrial production of square-cut labels and material. Hall 8, stand 8-A3.
New products from Sandvik will include "an industry first" - special hard edge coated rule, for cutting difficult materials. It is claimed to have more than double the hardness of titanium nitride edged rules. Suitable for long runs with difficult materials, the new rules "out-perform" the existing hardest edge rules currently available with a hardness of 4,000-5,000Hv. This is almost double the hardness of competitive titanium nitride edged rules. The new rule is available in all standard rule heights and sizes.
Also new and aimed at the market for promotional labels is a range of cutting rules. Available with the usual standard edge configurations and shaved or fine ground edges, rule heights range from 8-12mm and thicknesses from 0.45-0.53mm.
A new rule has also been developed for creasing PET, PVC and other plastics. Produced jointly with Zimmer Industries, PlastiCrease is available in a range of sizes for all standard creasing operations. Hall 3, stand 3-B45.
Valco Cincinnati will present its adhesive application systems for all types of hotmelt and cold glues. It will demonstrate RoBond equipment for gluing and softening on offset web presses.
For the folding carton industry, there are systems for both gluing and quality inspection, inspired by the strict requirements of the pharmaceutical sector to ensure good bar code recognition even on holograms and 'shiny' boxes. Valco claims to be 'industry standard' for gluing and inspection in the corrugated sector and its equipment is supplied to most flexo folder gluer manufacturers. Extrusion gluing and inspection is also available for high speed envelope machines.
In addition, the company will feature the Shure-Glue range of 'budget' hotmelt systems. Hall 2, stand 2A30.
Schober will focus on the re-designed PBO off-line rotary converting line for the production of cigarette blanks and liquid packaging. This machine is available in three working widths - 550, 650 and 850mm - and features a " modular and hybrid machine concept" with separate drive technology. This enables the unit to be operated as an in-line system driven by a printing press, or as off-line version.
In addition to embossing, creasing and die cutting the machine offers hotfoil sealing and embossing units, as well as Autostack a fully automated pile delivery.
On display will be a high capacity creasing/punching module for the processing of liquid packaging, as well as various die cutting tools for the production of cigarette blanks (hinge lid and rounded corner box), as well as display cartons.
Another machine to be shown is a rotary die cutting machine, the type RSM, for the production of in-mould labels. Rotary converting systems for multilayer labels will feature the MLPP converter in a "revolutionary" design developed for cost effective production of high precision self adhesive assemblies and insulation components such as filters, gaskets, insulators, pads, shields, seals, lenses, speaker membranes and felts. Hall 2, stand 2-E25.
<b>Flexible Packaging Zone</b>
Launched in response to the sector's growing importance within the packaging market and the print industry as a whole, a new Flexible Packaging Zone will occupy over 2,000m² of space in Hall 1. Nearly 60 companies have already confirmed they will be exhibiting. They include AVT, AV Flexologic, BHS, Cerutti, CMR, Comexi, DCM, JM Heaford, Kampf, Polywest Sleeve Systems, and Soma Engineering.
In the same hall, The Flexible Packaging Centre of Excellence theatre will host presentations throughout the show from companies including Alphasonics, Agfa, Creo, Drent Goebel, GEW, IST, and Lüscher Flexo.
A 'Flexographic and Substrate Converting' pocket guide to relevant stands throughout the other halls will also be available.
Hall 1 is also home to Print City – see below.
<b>Innovation</b>
A purpose built innovation theatre - Innov8 - will host a number of new initiatives, including international days and sector specific days. The 200-seat venue, located on the show floor adjacent to Hall 9, will host a daily programme of briefings, presentations and debates on the future of the industry. Each day these will focus on different countries and sectors (including packaging), with insight from key industry bodies. Morning briefings will address the needs of visitors from specific countries and regions, while afternoon sessions will revolve around keynote speeches by eminent print business leaders. There will also be round-table discussions, case studies and networking events. For a full programme visit www.ipex.org
<b>JDF Pavilion</b>
Another new zone at Ipex 2006 will be the Process Automation and JDF Pavilion. The 250m² feature in hall 20 will highlight ways of improving production interoperability, productivity and profitability. Visitors will also be able to attend user case study presentations held in the theatre area within the pavilion, including CIPPI (CIP4 International Print Production Innovation) Award winning examples.
Companies that have already confirmed their participation include Dalim Software, EFI, Screen, Heidelberg, ePrint Direct, Dr Lauterbach and Partner, and Lithotechnics.
Heidelberg is dedicating one fifth of its 5,100m² stand to the packaging sector. Says marketing manager Mark Hogan: "Heidelberg wants a bigger stake in the paper and board elements which represent 40 per cent of the €8364;429 billion packaging market. It sees this as an area which will be relatively unaffected by competing media. Labels is an important sector of the market (also covered through products from associate companies Gallus and Polar) and it has greater ambitions in the folding cartons area."
The larger format Speedmaster XL 142 and Xl 162 presses, not to be demonstrated until drupa 2008 (see January issue), will be a much discussed subject, as will Heidelberg's new collaborative deal with Saueressig Security International, to help customers protect against brand piracy. The companies are developing an embossing unit that is integrated into the last unit of the press for securing elements such as hidden graphics and images.
There will be plenty of other innovations and developments to see in the prepress, press and converting areas, and demonstrations of Prinect networking products, to link all areas of production and business MIS for maximum efficiency and reduced time, waste and cost.
On the press side is the UK debut of the Speedmaster SM 52-5+L+D+UV, a B3 press to run UV inks with UV coater and die cutter in line for small format cartons. Other presses on show in the packaging area will be the Speedmaster CD 102-6L-X3 UV and the CD 74-6LX with extended delivery and Logistics materials handling. The CD 102-6L-X3 UV can run high quality cartons and print onto materials with different (non absorbent) surface textures, providing protection and resistance to abrasion. The CD 74-6LX is said to be ideal for short run packaging.
The latest software version 4.0 of Prinect ImageControl spectrophotometry makes remote diagnostics and preventative maintenance possible. ImageControl version 4 also works with Heidelberg's Mini Spots, control points that can be printed as part of a normal production job and whose colour patches have sufficient information to perform reliable changes to profiles and printing characteristics.
There will also be a demonstration of the next generation of spectrophotometer - InpressControl. It will run inside the press as an integral component, helping to set ink ducts, speed makeready, and cut waste sheets. The Prinect networking centre will demonstrate various elements of connectivity that enable printers to measure, monitor and adjust colour.
The 450m/min Diana X folder gluer will be on show. Now available in 115 and 135cm widths, it has servodrives for every unit and is very open, without windows or casing. This gives easy access from both sides, so one operator can work between two machines easily.
The Dymatrix 106 CSB cutting, stripping, blanking die cutter and embossing line will also be at Ipex. It can handle stocks from 80g/m², producing a cutting pressure of 330t on stock to give a clean cut. Hall 8, stand 8-A3.
<b>When second is best</b>
Claimed to be the world's largest used printing machinery marketplace, Upex @ Ipex 2006 will host more than 100 specialist companies from Europe and the USA. Dealers and manufacturers will show a range of pre-owned equipment covering every sector of the industry from pre-press through to finishing.
The majority of Upex dealer exhibitors are able to supply a complete range of machinery, including pre-owned printing, packaging, mailroom and converting equipment, though there are a number who have made one or more areas their speciality. It is also worth remembering that dealers are always looking for stock machinery and always have customers with particular needs. Therefore, unusually for a major exhibition, dealers are just as keen to buy as to sell. With this in mind visitors looking to sell some surplus machinery – to make room for Ipex purchases perhaps – should ensure that they have the full details with them when touring the show.
And with their extensive international network of contacts together with expertise in shipping, finance and refurbishment, dealers are ideally placed to make quick buying decisions, according to Upex.
<b>PrintCity</b>
Covering nearly 5,000m² in Hall 1, PrintCity, the strategic alliance linking the expertise of over 40 specialist supplier companies, will demonstrate technology "to address industry needs through integration and expertise". Integrated production facilities for the packaging and commercial segment – with JDF a core component – will be the centrepiece for a Manufacturing Integration Centre. Joint presentations by PrintCity members on complete workflow will include all elements from prepress to converting, together with product orientated presentations from participating companies.
Consulting areas in PrintCity Competence Centres at the show will cater for key areas of interest, such as Value Added Printing and Web Offset Production. High value print sample products and other material will illustrate integrated competence. Visitors to the integration centres will be shown other technological advances, such as colour management and brand protection, as well as other projects currently under development.
Many PrintCity members and associates already have JDF powered products on the market. Production lines, managed and supervised from the Integration Centre, will show how true connectivity is being achieved, "without locking customers in to a single supplier".
Companies involved in PrintCity include Bobst, Esko-Graphics, MAN Roland, Megtec, SunChemical and UPM. Hall 1. Details will be included in the second part of this preview, in March.