Swiss packaging equipment giant Bobst has unveiled its new Internet of Things (IoT)-capable label press at Labelexpo Southeast Asia.
The Bobst M1 IoT, an eight-colour narrow web machine, is billed as the first connected label press. It uses a Bobst PrintTutor camera and AI capabilities to eliminate human error in setup, and can send production data to the operator’s mobile phone, tablet, computer, or other remote device.
According to Matteo Cardinotti, managing director of Bobst Firenze, remote monitoring and IoT are set to become industry standard. “Although increasingly widespread, connectivity is often still only considered in the realm of higher class of equipment,” he said.
“We are changing this: the new M1 IoT is the first mechanical shaft connected label press suitable for a large part of the market, bringing the possibility to tap into the benefits offered by IoT to the widest number of converters.”
At Bobst’s Labelexpo stand, the company showed off the new press and demonstrated its capabilities for printing and finishing beer and perfume film labels with cold foil and die cutting, as well as a range of apps that can link up with Bobst machines for utilities such as downtime tracking and remote monitoring.
According to Maurizio Trecate, sales director at Bobst Firenze, these technologies put Bobst well ahead of the competition, and there was plenty of interest from potential customers at the stand.
“The response of the visitors has been very enthusiastic and will be keeping us very busy with the follow up of inquiries and negotiations already started at the show,” he said.
