The first CorruJET digital press is set to enter production in the second quarter of 2019 at Hans Kolb Wellpappe in Memmingen, Germany. The corrugated printing company has been working with Koenig & Bauer as its development partner for the new inkjet post-print press.
Based on the experience gained with the RotaJET digital press, the CorruJET delivers high-resolution print at production speeds of up to 6000sph in maximum formats of 1700 x 1300mm, on coated or uncoated corrugated board up to 8mm thick. The Fuji Dimatix Samba printheads print in four colours with water-based inks. The sheet infeed was designed for a hard-edge sheet orientation and can be combined with equipment such as pre-feeders and stackers. The press also incorporates a pre-coater and a coating unit.
New premises for Kolb DigitalSolutions were opened in Memmingen-Amendingen last year, near the group headquarters in the town. The CorruJET will form the heart of a new production plant with integrated finishing and conversion. ‘Differentiation, fast time-to-market scenarios, or reduced run lengths in conjunction with increased versioning – the demands expressed by our customers are forever changing,’ said Dr Bernhard Ruffing, managing director of Hans Kolb Wellpappe. ‘Against this background, focus is naturally turning to the option of digital post-printing. With Koenig & Bauer and the CorruJET, we are well equipped to respond to future customer demands and can also open up new markets.’
Koenig & Bauer management board member Christoph Müller said, ‘In exactly the same way as for our analogue presses, the CorruFLEX and CorruCUT, we based the project specifications on a careful evaluation of the market and customer wishes. The Kolb Group is here an ideal partner with whom to further the development of our new CorruJET for digital post-printing on corrugated board.’
Hans Kolb Wellpappe was founded in 1933 and is currently led by second‑generation managing partner Alwin J Kolb alongside Dr Ruffing. With a workforce of around 1100 employees, the company develops and produces a broad spectrum of packaging, packaging materials and special corrugated board products.
