Press release submitted by K Laser Technology

K Laser Technology, global leader in holographic and metalized printing materials, is set to return their Viridian™ holographic packaging solution at LUXE PACK New York 2024, Booth #A22. The premier creative packaging tradeshow will again be hosted at the Javits Center on May 8^th and 9^th.

Viridian™ Eco-Paperboard® is the main attraction for K Laser Technology CFBU. With zero plastic film, Viridian is the modern alternative for holographic paperboard. It is 100% recyclable and repulpable and recognized as recyclable by most local MRFs (municipal recycling facilities).

The novel holographic paperboard is available in the largest selection of wallpaper patterns and the completely customizable registered hologram pattern. Every sheet and roll of Viridian™ Eco-Paperboard® is overprintable and is as simple to print as any other substrate or paper.

LUXE PACK NY attendees are invited to the K Laser Technology booth #A22 to learn more about their eco-friendly metallic and holographic paper and paperboard materials.  The first 50 attendees will receive a free gift with the Viridian™ swatch book, as well as NEW material samples. Nerissa Ignacio-Littman and Gary Bibler, the Executive Creative Team at K Laser Technology, will be on site to discuss sustainable specialty packaging innovations and assist with packaging ideation, design, and mockup services.

In their 21^st year, LUXE PACK New York caters to B2B luxury packaging for various industries including the largest brands in cosmetics, fragrance, wine & spirits, technology and more. For more than 20 years, the New York showcase has played an integral role in the exploration and sourcing of new and upcoming packaging suppliers, materials, and products.

“When designing for packaging, the dieline is one of the primary focuses. But what if more dimension can be added to the dieline? With Viridian that can be possible. From fresnel lenses to stereo reliefs, organic patterns and geometric, we have one that can work for you and your brand. And with the sustainable aspect of Viridian and our mock-up capabilities, it’s a win win!” says Creative Director, Nerissa Ignacio-Littman.

To learn more about K Laser Technology’s new Viridian™ Eco-Paper and Eco-Paperboard®, visit www.coldfoil.com/viridian-board/.

To learn more about LUXE PACK New York 2024, and their global platform of luxury packaging events, visit www.luxepacknewyork.com.

Press release submitted by Taktiful Software Solutions

Taktiful Software Solutions, the future leading software provider in the print embellishment space, today announced its official launch. Founded by an experienced team with a rich history in the digital print embellishment industry, Taktiful Software Solutions is set to transform the sector by enhancing productivity, profitability, and creativity across the industry.

Addressing the long-standing inefficiencies in estimating and pricing, complex design processes, and the lack of market data, Taktiful introduces a suite of innovative products designed to solve the critical challenges faced by printers and original equipment manufacturers (OEM)s alike.

Kevin Abergel, Founder & CEO of Taktiful Software Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch, stating, “Our journey began with a deep understanding of the pain points within the print embellishment industry. With Taktiful Software Solutions, we are not just offering tools; we provide an integrated platform designed to empower our users with the capability to excel and drive market adoption for digital print embellishments.”

Co-founder Carlo Ruas commented on the launch, “We’re not just creating software; we’re crafting a new narrative for the print embellishment sector. Our tools are built to empower, our technology primed to innovate. With Taktiful Software Solutions, we envision a world where the beauty of print and the precision of technology coalesce to create unprecedented value for our clients.”

The company will release their first three SaaS products by Drupa 2024, being held from 28 May to 7 June 2024 at Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in Germany.

• Taktify: A cloud based AI-powered estimating and pricing software platform that provides the exact costs of production as well as the estimated market value for embellished print based on variables including job complexity, applications, zip codes, industry verticals and more.
• Reaktor: A cloud based art file visualizer that lets you proof and experiment with different embellishment effects in a virtual 3D environment, allowing users to streamline their print embellishment proofing and sales.
• Kreator: A cloud based generative AI tool that allows users to quickly and efficiently design embellishment masks for their print files using Taktiful’s proprietary training data.

Following successful beta trials, Taktiful Software Solutions is poised for rapid growth, with an ambitious and disruptive product roadmap to usher in a new era for embellished print. The company’s strategic approach leverages the latest technologies to fill critical gaps in the market, promising to deliver unprecedented value to its clients.

With its official launch, Taktiful Software Solutions invites industry professionals, potential clients, and investors to explore the possibilities of digital print embellishment. The team is committed to continual innovation and ensuring that Taktiful remains at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.

For more information about Taktiful Software Solutions and its offerings, please visit www.taktiful.ai.

Press release submitted on behalf of IHMA

The secure registry of holographic images, established by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) to safeguard hologram copyright and underpin the use of holograms in authentication and security printing, has been expanded to include all optically variable security features and relaunched as the Security Image Register (SIR).

The expanded register, the only system of its type for the secure document community, will introduce image registration to the full spectrum of optical security manufacturers. It provides a global database that protects the security image by recording and identifying all copyright associated with each design and manufacture of a security image. Each registration will be allocated a unique reference number that can be tracked to support authentication of the image and its copyright.

The expansion and rebranding of the current Hologram Image Register, as the SIR reflects the changing dynamics of the global security printing industry and security features. Holograms are increasingly being incorporated and integrated with other optically variable devices (OVDs) to provide advanced anti-counterfeiting solutions, but they are only one – albeit an important one – of a number of different imaging technologies that offer colour change, movement, animation and/or 3D effects.

Key changes at a glance are:

• The Primary Visual Feature selection has been updated to include a choice of 13 current optical technologies that now fall with a general OVD (Optically Variable Device) category. They include micro-lens arrays, micro-mirrors, plasmonics, nano-gratings, colour change, caustics, polarisation, photonic crystals, special print-generated effects etc, or a combination of these.
• The HIR phrase and logo has been replaced by Security Image Register phrase and logo.
• The word hologram will be replaced by OVD.

The centrally held global database of secure images will continue to be operated on behalf of the IHMA by the Counterfeiting Intelligence Bureau under the strictest confidence and security that supports ISO14298* on behalf of members.

In addition to hologram producers, the SIR will be available to all manufacturers of secure optical variable devices, security printers and designers of documents. It will also be available to central government and institutions such as central banks, revenue authorities and passport issuers, through their security feature suppliers

It will enable them to verify that their security design, or elements of the hologram design, do not infringe copyright or allow the unintentional copy of existing security images. The image registration is completed once the design has received clearance.

The SIR will also be accessible to law enforcement agencies, allowing them to check for the provenance of a design when they need information on a suspect feature.

IHMA chair Dr Paul Dunn, said: ‘the SIR reflects a rapidly changing and innovative global sector, where the technology is increasingly a part of an integrated security strategy to protect and secure documents and brands. It represents a beneficial step forward, more accurately reflecting the way holograms and other OVDs are designed and used – undoubtedly facilitating an increase in the registration of images to secure their integrity.’

The SIR includes over 10,000 registrations – a number that is growing by the day. To date, it t has helped to prevent numerous attempts to source copy holograms as well as helped to confirm that suspect holograms were indeed fakes. This in turn, helped support the law enforcement authorities in their pursuit of the counterfeiters.

Furthermore, registration of a hologram design has been a pre-condition of many tenders and procurement, particularly by government bodies such as central banks, revenue authorities and passport issuers, as well as brand owners. It is expected that this will now apply to other images registered with the SIR too.

Its goals are:

• To improve the security for the industry in regards to security printing and aid the fight against fraud and forgery
• To reduce trade barriers by encouraging uniform practices around the world
• Satisfy clients’ increasing security needs

Press release submitted on behalf of Baumer hhs

Baumer hhs’s new Side Seam Gluing Solution was exactly what Mugler Masterpack had been searching for to counteract the effects of the labour shortage and cost pressure. The packaging manufacturer initially installed the new adhesive application system on a folder gluer for straight-line boxes in autumn 2023, but is so pleased with the results that it plans to similarly re-equip additional machines.

“We have to automate everything we possibly can, and simplify our processes as much as possible with intelligent solutions. It’s the only way we can produce more on existing equipment at lower operating costs, while continuing to offer competitive prices on the market”, explains Ulli Mugler, Managing Partner of Mugler Masterpack GmbH, based in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, near Chemnitz, Germany. He intends to strictly adhere to this strategy over the next few years. “The Side Seam Gluing Solution from Baumer hhs for straight-line boxes is the perfect answer in this context”, he says.

The new Side Seam Gluing Solution is an innovative, non-contact gluing system. It replaces the glue disks that have been standard for decades for bottom gluing in folding carton production, but have hardly been developed at all during that time. Packaging producers who exchange their glue disks for the Side Seam Gluing Solution gain several significant advantages at once.

Significant process improvements

The new system works with a high-performance PX 1000 head from Baumer hhs to apply adhesive to the glue flaps from below. It needs no disks or glue pots that otherwise have to be cleaned after every shift. Cleaning holds up the folder gluer for some 20 minutes and consumes about 30 litres of warm water each time. The new system eliminates this step. Similarly, the Side Seam Gluing Solution does not generate any residual glue to be discarded. It requires only minimal cleaning.

With its high closing force, the PX 1000 application head delivers maximum precision and cleanly glued joints, applying the adhesive in a continuous glue bead, intermittent stitches of defined length, or dots. With this kind of flexibility in the gluing process, adhesive consumption can be slashed by up to 50% depending on the application.

The new equipment is also very easy to operate. If folding carton producers use the automatic mode, the distance to be maintained between glue application and the leading and trailing edges of the glue flap only has to be entered once in the Xact up controller that operates the application head. The system retains this setting from then on for all future jobs produced on the folder gluer. Thanks to the teach-in function, machine operators only have to run one box through the machine for each job changeover. The Side Seam Gluing Solution detects the dimensions of a glue flap using a light barrier, and then makes the necessary adjustments to glue application automatically. The days are gone when machine operators had to figure out the maximum point up to which glue could be applied to avoid inside gluing. These convenient operating features support rapid job changeovers and enhance the attractiveness of jobs in folding carton manufacturing—a critical factor in view of the skilled labour shortage.

In short, with the Side Seam Gluing Solution, folding carton manufacturers can increase the availability of their machines and gain hundreds of hours of additional production time per year to manufacture significantly more units. Based on this effect alone, an investment in the adhesive application system pays off in a very short time. Furthermore, the reduction in adhesive consumption increases the cost-efficiency of the process and is good for the environment. It improves the resource efficiency of both the packaging products and the overall manufacturing process.

Easy to retrofit

At Mugler Masterpack, the new system for non-contact bottom gluing was installed on an existing MEDIA 68 folder gluer in September 2023 at the company’s main site in Hohenstein-Ernstthal. It was the first time this new solution had ever been installed in Germany. The equipment previously used for side seam gluing on this machine had failed and needed to be replaced.

“Baumer hhs explained the advantages of the new adhesive application system to us and recommended that we retrofit our machine. We seized the opportunity and took gluing to an entirely new level on this machine for straight-line boxes”, Mugler recalls. “The improvements that Baumer hhs promised we would see, soon became evident in day-to-day operation. The new equipment makes it easier than ever for us to deliver reliable glued joints to our customers. It has taken us another step towards zero-defect production”.

The old adhesive application unit was removed and the Side Seam Gluing Solution installed in the same place. After a few adjustments and some brief training, the retrofit was complete. Machine operators immediately were able to use the new gluing equipment in production. “It has been in three-shift operation ever since, without a single interruption”, Mugler reports.

Tremendous savings on adhesive and maximum ease-of-use

The Side Seam Gluing Solution is a complete package, comprised entirely of equipment engineered by Baumer hhs. A DPP 4 double-piston pump with high-precision pressure regulation supplies the high-end PX 1000 application head with exactly the right volume of adhesive required for any given application. Mugler Masterpack basically can work with any cold glue that can be applied by nozzle, meaning the company can respond flexibly to market demands.

A light barrier integrated immediately upstream of the PX 1000 reliably detects the length of the glue flap. These components, together with the high-performance Xact up controller and integrated product guide, ensure high-precision adhesive application—to within 1 mm from beginning to end of the glue flap. In addition, non-contact adhesive application rules out any interruptions in gluing, such as those caused by glue disks passing over impressions on the glue flaps that result from die-cutting. “On top of that, this equipment is much less susceptible to wear and tear”, Mugler adds. Baumer hhs offers maintenance kits for its adhesive application heads that extend their service life even more.

To monitor gluing from below, an LNT 300 sensor is integrated in the Side Seam Gluing Solution on Mugler Masterpack’s MEDIA 68. It is installed immediately downstream of the gluing system.

New gluing equipment in a 20-year-old machine

In late 2023, Mugler Masterpack also took advantage of the chance to have Baumer hhs replace the top gluing unit on the MEDIA 68 with state-of-the art equipment. Since then, the machine has been operating with PX 1000 application heads, GDX 1000 sensors for monitoring adhesive application, and an Xtend³ controller. “Our machine operators are also very pleased with the large, easy-to-use touchscreens”, Mugler adds.

Although the folder gluer had been in operation since as long ago as 2004, it still was possible to update it with new gluing and quality assurance equipment, because the age of the machine is irrelevant. Mugler Masterpack uses it to produce various products, such as conventional tuck-top boxes, packaging for use with packing machines, as well as banding and sleeves. In all these applications, the company meets the highest market demands for quality in adhesive application.

“All our folder gluers have equipment from Baumer hhs. It’s important to us to work with the market leader, because that ultimately benefits our customers. The new Side Seam Gluing Solution will also help us to optimise gluing in our other folder gluers.

We purchased the ‘Ferrari’ of gluing units for side seam gluing. We could have chosen a less ambitious system, but we wanted to go with something really new”, Mugler says. The MEDIA 68 runs at speeds of up to 300 m/min. Some of the company’s folder gluers at its Crimmitschau site reach speeds of 650 m/min. They are still equipped with conventional glue disks. But as soon as the disks are replaced with the Side Seam Gluing Solution, this new system will demonstrate its full potential there too.

Looking ahead

“Over the next few years, many of our older employees in production will be retiring. It is going to be difficult to replace them because of the quality work they do. There are predictions that the state of Saxony will lose about 20% of today’s workforce by 2030. Things will be no different for us. Most young people today don’t want work shifts. We have to offer them higher wages to change their minds. To stay competitive, our payroll has to remain constant, but be divided among fewer employees, each of whom earn proportionally more”, says Mugler. These are the difficult conditions that will impact his decisions to invest in automation and process optimisation.

In the past, the company invested considerable sums in printing presses, flat-bed die cutters and folder gluers—and replaced them relatively quickly with newer equipment. In future, Ulli Mugler’s decisions will focus above all on intelligent systems like the Side Seam Gluing Solution from Baumer hhs.

Press release submitted by Roland DGA

Roland DGA Corporation, a leading provider of wide-format inkjet printers, vinyl cutters, 3D milling machines, dental mills, and other advanced digital technologies, has announced six important personnel changes across its leadership, product management, and service teams.

Leadership Team Personnel Changes

Dan Johansen is assuming a new role as Vice President of Sales and Product Management. Johansen was previously Vice President of Sales. Prior to joining Roland DGA, Johansen, a sign and graphics industry veteran of more than 23 years, served as U.S Director of Sales and Marketing for Industrial Printing at Ricoh USA. In his new role at Roland DGA, Johansen will be responsible for managing the sales and product management teams, and for driving growth across multiple industries. In addition, Johansen will continue to serve as a member of the company’s senior management team, helping to develop strategy and synergy across departments.

Dave Edmondson has been promoted to Vice President of New Market and Business Development from his previous position as Director of Business Development and Product Management. Prior to joining Roland DGA in 2020, Edmondson held management positions at HP, Encad, and Avery. He has a combined thirty years of experience in the digital print industry. In his new role, Edmondson will be responsible for product co-creation and leading new market initiatives. He will also serve as a member of Roland DGA’s senior management team.

Product Management Team Personnel Changes

David Hawkes, who had been at Roland DGA from 2011 to 2015 as Group Product Manager, has rejoined the company as Product Manager for UV Desktop Printers. With more than 30 years of experience in the printing industry, including 15 years of wide-format experience, Hawkes brings a wealth of knowledge to his new position. He will be responsible for overseeing Roland DGA’s line of innovative UV flatbed and hybrid devices.

Philip Chu has been hired as Roland DGA’s new Product Manager of Specialty Devices. Chu brings a breadth of experience from a strong and progressive career in the fields of print production, marketing, and brand management. He will be responsible for overseeing Roland DGA’s line of rotary engravers, impact printers, and laser decorators.

Service Department Personnel Changes

Kevin Rosen has been promoted to Roland Care Onsite Services Manager. Rosen rejoined Roland DGA in January of 2023 as Roland Care Support Manager after working there previously from 2015 to 2021. In his new position, Rosen’s responsibilities will include oversight of Roland Care’s technical support programs and its online service inventory.

Alex Vazquez has been promoted to Roland Care Support Manager. Vazquez joined Roland DGA five years ago and last year was promoted to supervisor. In his new role, Vazquez will manage Roland DGA’s Support Representative Team and oversee the service inventory for digital printing products.

“With teams led by these dedicated and talented professionals, we look forward to maintaining our leadership in new product development, the exploration of new markets, as well as product management, sales, service and support,” said Roland DGA President Amado Lara. “We recognize the considerable skills and experience each of these individuals brings to their respective positions and look forward to the additional contributions they will make in their new, expanded roles.”

To learn more about Roland DGA Corporation, or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

Press release submitted on behalf of Grafotronic and Leonhard KURZ

Leonhard KURZ, a market leader in thin-film technology and a pioneer in digital
embellishment technology, alongside Grafotronic, experts in modular label converting equipment, have announced a global partnership. This alliance builds upon a series of successful collaborations, demonstrating the benefits of combining their expertise to elevate label industry standards.

Uniting Strengths for Innovation

Both companies are committed to advancing the label sector through technological innovation and networking. By merging Grafotronic’s manufacturing capabilities in modular label equipment with KURZ’s advancements in digital embellishment technology, this partnership aims to enhance label enhancement solutions.

Expertise and Technology Synergy

Leonhard KURZ brings to the table its expertise in thin-film technology and digital embellishment equipment, offering customers a range of system-matched consumables and machinery. This provision is intended to simplify processes for customers, utilizing decades of engineering knowledge and a vast array of products for the printing industry.
Grafotronic specializes in “future-proof” modular label machines, designed with adaptability in mind. Their offerings include laser cutting, laser finishing, and comprehensive finishing machines, which are adaptable to a variety of machines and technologies, including future innovations. Working hand in hand, KURZ and Grafotronic are set to impact the label embellishing and finishing industry significantly.

Empowering the Industry Through Collaboration

The partnership’s commitment is further demonstrated by the upcoming “Embellish More – Label Technology Forum” scheduled for April 11 and April 18 in Huntersville, NC, and at KURZ Transfer Products. This forum is designed for label converters, offering an opportunity to gain comprehensive insights into embellishment technology in a single day.

For more details and to register for the event, visit: www.embellish-more.com. This collaboration between Leonhard KURZ and Grafotronic marks a significant step towards enhancing label embellishment technologies, aiming to provide industry-wide benefits.

Press release submitted on behalf of Highcon

Highcon today announced a new portfolio line-up ahead of drupa 2024, addressing the fastest-growing segments of paperboard packaging. Responding to a global market with continuously growing demand for smaller production batch sizes, faster delivery, increased sustainability and enhanced customer experience, the company’s new portfolio accelerates Highcon’s strategy of mainstreaming digital die cutting by focusing on productivity, efficiency and quality. The new portfolio line-up includes:

• For Folding Carton, the Highcon Beam 3 with optional new Beam Writer for offline writing of DART foils, will allow customers to produce around 50% more per shift than with Beam 2 – while delivering higher and more consistent quality[1].
• For Corrugated Packaging and Display:
  • The Vulcan¹, a revolutionary next-generation system with 1.4 x 1.7 (55” x 66”) sheet size, still under development, will enable the full benefits of digital die cutting to mainstream corrugated production.
  • An upgrade to the Highcon Beam 2C that delivers up to 50% enhanced productivity when paired with the optional Beam Writer and facilitates the expansion of Highcon’s footprint in the short- and medium-run corrugated market – especially for POS and web-to-pack.

New Highcon Beam 3

The new Highcon Beam 3 has been developed to respond to the feedback of both customers and prospects over recent years. It is packed with innovations and enhancements that will allow customers to be more productive and address a broader range of applications. A converter will be able to run 10 jobs with an average run length of 1000 sheets every shift. This will typically drive an ROI for customers of less than two years in a two shift operation.

Prior to the first Beam 3 shipping to drupa 2024, Highcon will be performing a field upgrade to an existing Beam 2 system at Eurographic, in Poland. “We’re excited to be the first customer to receive the Productivity & Quality Boost Package that will bring Beam 3 performance to our system.” said Bartosz Nowakowski, GM of Eurographic Group in Poland. “The surge in production per shift is poised to make a significant impact on our operations.”

New Highcon Beam Writer

The new Highcon Beam Writer, compatible with all Highcon Beam systems already installed, enables customers to create creasing rules using Highcon’s proprietary DART system and 5^th Generation Consumables offline. For every 100 jobs per month, Beam Writer can free up more than 16 hours of Beam capacity, or two full shifts, improving productivity and increasing capacity.

“I’ve always believed that there is a place for an offline DART writing system” said Charles Linney, Director of Linney. “Although the current inline system works very well, the offline Beam Writer could save us 10 minutes per job, which equates to over 50 hours a month.”

New Highcon Vulcan

The new Highcon Vulcan will enter mainstream corrugated production and address a painful gap in current solutions. It has a maximum sheet size of 1.4 x 1.7 meters (55” x 66”) and supports boards up to 5mm, including microflute, B-, C-, and EB-flutes. Like all Highcon systems, Vulcan will combine true physical creasing with laser cutting, and will have a maximum throughput of 3000 full-size sheets per hour (up to7000 sqm/hr or 75,000 sqft/hr). It will have a job changeover time of 5-10 minutes.

“Highcon’s Vulcan will find a very broad footprint across the corrugated industry, complementing analog die cutting and solving the intractable problems of fast reaction, small orders and eliminating MOQs,” said Richard Brown, President of The BoxMaker.

As product development started, four “Foundation Customers” including Thimm, The BoxMaker, UDS (Poland) and Grupak (Mexico), placed deposits on Vulcan systems in 2022. In 2023, Schumacher Packaging joined the Foundation Customer program and signed an MOU to purchase 5-10 units of Vulcan from Highcon before 2030.

“Schumacher Packaging is an innovation leader and digital visionary,” said Bjoern Schumacher, CEO. “We are very pleased with our Highcon Beam 2C, but Vulcan is the system that can start the inevitable digitalization of corrugated finishing. Seeing is believing, and the demonstration of the prototype that I saw in Israel last June, convinced me that Vulcan will be game-changing for us.”

During the tough economic environment of 2023, Highcon slowed down the Vulcan development with the intention to resume the program fully before the end of 2024. During 2026, the first Vulcan unit is targeted to ship for Alpha testing at a customer site.

Highcon is offering thought-leading customers the option to secure a finite number of early delivery slots. These slots will only be converted into binding orders following a successful production demo.

Upgraded Highcon Beam 2C

Based on a running speed that is ~15% faster[2], the upgraded Highcon Beam 2C offers higher productivity for corrugated customers with faster sheet throughput. When used in conjunction with the new optional Beam Writer, it will offer corrugated customers approximately 50% higher productivity per shift for typical customer job baskets. It also includes the Digital die cutting Workflow Package (DWP) for smoother, more effective and automated integration into a site’s production workflow.

drupa 2024

At drupa, Highcon’s booth (Hall 9, B24) will showcase its customers and their work as well as Highcon’s new solution portfolio, together with samples from the breakthrough Vulcan prototype.

“In this challenging environment, Highcon’s customers are successfully using ‘the right tool for the right job’ to optimize their plant productivity, overcome capacity limitations, improve agility, cost-effectiveness and efficiency and better serve their customers – all while maximizing their return on investment,” said Shlomo Nimrodi, Highcon’s CEO.

“Inspired by our amazing customers, their feedback and how they’re using our solutions today – as well as inputs that we’ve received over several years – Highcon will be demonstrating how digital die cutting is becoming mainstream. The time to die cut digitally has arrived.”