Bobst has added Digital Master 340 and 510, two new presses that extend its portfolio of digital printing options.
Running at up to 100m/min in up to six colours, plus optional digital white, Digital Master series presses are claimed to bridge the gap between traditional digital and flexo machines. The Digital Master series sits within Bobst’s oneLABEL portfolio.
New are Digital Master 340 and Digital Master 510, which have been engineered to provide a fully digitalised and automated production line, from printing to embellishment and cutting. This capitalises on the Digital Master series being based on a fully modular and upgradeable architecture overall, enabling customers to build their own presses and evolve them over time. As such, customers can specify a Digital Master to be a stand-alone digital machine, all the way up to a highly customised platform that integrates all modules available in inline flexo printing. Flexo modules can be included for priming of demanding substrates, high-ink coverage jobs for long print runs to save on digital ink, applications with high white coverage, or for printing Pantone colours. Available embellishment features include varnishing, tactile and holographic effects, cold foil glue application, UV lamination and security printing. For end-to-end label production, fully automated semi-rotary die-cutting or rotary die-cutting can also be integrated. Presses can be upgraded on-site at a later stage for additional capability.
Each print, embellishment and finishing module is digitally automated to ensure high uptime, low waste and repeatability. Quality control is guaranteed by the inclusion of the Bobst Accucheck 100% inline inspection system, which operates at full press speed and checks registration, quality and colour consistency of both digital and flexo print and all embellishments. A maintenance automation device on the digital printing unit is also included on all machines, whilst 1000mm jumbo unwinders and rewinders with automated roll lifting reduce the number of roll changes, A single user-friendly interface controls the whole machine, which can be connected to the Cloud and is open for MIS integration.
Whilst Digital Master 340 has a 340mm print width, the 510mm-wide Digital Master 510 is said to open up, ‘new opportunities to expand application versatility into larger sized labels, industrial and chemical markets, wraparound, shrink sleeves, and other special applications.’
Specifically, such a print width permits higher production volumes whilst still only requiring one operator to run the press, noted Bobst.
Patrick Graber, strategic marketing manager at Bobst, said, ‘Developments in label production are moving at pace, with brand owners looking for converters that have the ability to deliver faster, better and at more competitive prices. In this context, the Bobst all-in-one platform is a great answer as digitally printed labels can be produced in high quality, with exceptional productivity and at lower costs, from short to long runs.
‘With the Digital Master series, we want to solve our customers’ challenges as they try to overcome the lack of skilled workforce while moving to industrial productivity and longer run lengths with digital equipment; and to bring more agility and flexibility to the production floor.’
Bobst’s presence in digital has grown over the last few years, following the launch the first generation of Mouvent presses, and the inkjet digital printing specialist’s subsequent integration into Bobst’s structure. Master DM5 was introduced at Labelexpo Europe 2019, as Bobst delivered the first of its ‘all-in-one, all inline’ presses, which combine its flexo expertise with the power of inkjet digital printing.
Mr Graber continued, ‘The Digital Master series is an extremely future-proof solution because customers can adapt the machine over time to changing application needs and new market trends. When new technologies for these platforms are released, they can be retrofitted on-site, adding even more value and protecting the investment.
‘The Digital Master series leverages the principle of ‘one’: one press for all label jobs, one workflow unifying all the elements, one operator running the press, one supplier developing all the technologies, and one point of service for both conventional and digital parts.’
Read more about Bobst’s newest presses in the April 2022 issues of Digital Labels & Packaging; register here to receive the magazine
Read more about the latest narrow and mid web digital printing technologies for labels and packaging in the April 2022 issues of Digital Labels & Packaging; register here to receive the magazine
