The Future of the Flexographic Package Printer’s Workflow, According to BOBST CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst

“To ensure the vision is implemented effectively, in early 2021, Bobst Group acquired the remaining 49.9 percent of Mouvent AG. This acquisition is a commitment toward an acceleration of the digitalization of printing, based on a unique cluster technology delivering high quality, high speed and the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO). BOBST will now integrate Mouvent fully under its brand and go-to-market activities.”

Bobst Group reported that its “MASTER DM5 sets a new standard for the digitalization of the label industry—all-in-one, all-inline production, with digitally automated, non-stop job change, an exceptionally high press uptime and outstanding repeatability regardless of the operator’s skills.”

The MASTER CI. It is said to enable the highest productivity, process stability and flexibility independent of the operator’s skill level, thanks in part to advanced robotics that guarantee a fully automated press setup.

Elaborating on the point, it said, “We believe that digitalized, closed-loop, end-to-end, connected systems are the future for labels, enabling converters to deliver faster, with better quality and less waste and more profitably answering the growing demand for on-demand labels production. Making all-in-one, all-inline a reality is one of the best proof points of the new Packaging 4.0 industry vision, with the aim to optimize the entire production floor.”

Bobst Group’s MASTER DM5 is an all-in-one, all-inline press that handles most label applications from short to long runs—end-to-end and cost effectively—while increasing profitability. It is a fully modular press designed to meet any customer’s need. BOBST MASTER DM5’s digital engine is powered by the unique Mouvent technology and delivers consistent operation and reliability while allowing easy maintenance with minimal manual intervention.

High-quality printing occurs at up to 328 fpm and guarantees a very fast time-to-market for most applications. The machine is capable of producing up to 200,000 sq. m. of labels per month in one eight-hour shift.

Noteworthy features include:

  • Plug-and-play architecture makes the line fully customizable—from PDF to finished label with a custom mix of inline priming, printing, embellishments and finishing units
  • Digital automation of each module means that production can be managed by a single operator
  • No offline part washing, no ink tray, no doctor blade with Ink-on-Demand (IoD) technology
  • Intuitive user interface for easy setup and operation
  • On-the-fly job change of print cylinders, magnetic rollers, flexible dies, waste stripping
  • Semi-rotary die-cutting at 525 fpm and rotary die-cutting at 656 fpm
  • Short web path, small footprint
  • 1,200 x 1,200 dpi native resolution delivering fine lines, smooth gradients, sharp images, vibrant colors
  • No limit to embellishments and product premiumization with UV flexography—varnishing, tactile effects, holographic effects, spot colors, whites, cold foil, lamination and security printing

Also in the label arena, the Mouvent LB702-UV is a highly productive, high-quality UV inkjet label press that will take on most applications thrown at it. It handles 90 percent of all label jobs cost effectively up to 26,000 linear feet run length. It is extremely productive, delivering an output of up to 2.1 mil­lion sq. ft. per month, with printing speeds of up to 330 fpm.

The VISION CI is designed to deliver the most efficient performance for all production lengths on a wide range of substrates. Fast to set up and change over, the 8- or 10-color press is fully automated.

Smart CI x 2

BOBST-linked smart press design to cost-effective production and detailed exactly how its VISION CI is designed to deliver the most efficient performance for all production lengths on a wide range of substrates. Fast to set up and change over, the 8- or 10-color press is fully automated and ensures repeatable process consistency, minimum waste and easy manufacturing. Chief attributes follow:

  • A highly modular concept that enables very fast installation and startup
  • Automatically opening and closing bearings for plate cylinder equipped with a pre-load system for maximum stability with deck design that avoids deflection and tilting
  • Exclusive tapered Key-Way for plate reference in combination with smartSET that reduces waste of substrate and consumables at startup and job changes
  • The joint action of the two-component doctor blade chamber, the smart inking and easy cleaning systems increases press uptime
  • Dual technology tunnel, in combination with a heat recovery system, ensures optimum drying performance and energy savings
  • Operator viewing platform, on catwalk for web monitoring of the print, result in convenient access to CI drum and ensure higher machine productivity and availability
  • Automatic face-to-face winders

Advanced technologies and smart innovations are also trademarks of BOBST’s high-end MASTER CI. It is said to enable the highest productivity, process stability and flexibility independent of the operator’s skill level, thanks in part to advanced robotics that guarantee a fully automated press setup.

Exceptional productivity is attributable to ground-breaking ingenuity. Critical components are:

  • A modular design for fast installation and commissioning in less than four weeks
  • Unique press architecture enabling manual or automatic sleeve change
  • smartDROID system automatically replaces shafted elements of the print decks
  • smartCLEAN II affords on-board washing for fast cleaning of print units. Individual washup for doctor blade change, speeding up the press makeready, from the operator’s side
  • New smartCOL color matching system measures the L*a*b* values before printing, minimizes ink consumption and facilitates machine handling
  • Exclusive combined shaft and shaftless function in one winder design for fast and easy handling, irrespective of run lengths and production requirements
  • Automatic splice at high speed in less than two minutes from loading of reel to splice ready, guaranteeing minimal substrate waste
  • smartTHREAD for web threading from unwinder to rewinder in less than three minutes
  • New generation smartGPS II, allows digital proofing and offline quality check and preparation of print tools
  • High production speed, up to 2,624 fpm
  • Job Recipe Management System for a digitalized production workflow from file to finished product with creation of a digital twin of the produced reels
  • smartTOOL fully automatic tool management system
  • smartCAL automatic calibration and monitoring of all main production and service data
  • Energy-saving modules for sustainable operation