Printing press manufacturer Heidelberg has recently unveiled several innovations that can help packaging printers meet increasing demand for shorter run lengths and more embellishments while meeting short delivery times and sustainability expectations.
Heidelberg head of folding carton segment Jörg Dähnhardt said the growth market of packaging, and especially folding carton manufacturing are part of Heidelberg’s core business.
“Our product portfolio is leading the industry, and we are introducing innovations to further enhance it based on our customers’ demands, Dähnhardt said.
“The optimisation of folding carton manufacturing for the benefit of our customers is an integral part of our company strategy.”
Heidelberg says it offers customised systems for converting operations: from job creation all the way to the finished folding carton.
The Prinect workflow connects the various machines and processes and allows navigated folding carton production, or, in the ideal case, even autonomous production.
The company says consumables from the Saphira family and digital services ensure a stable production environment and the highest possible machine availability.
For folding carton printers, innovations for the Speedmaster XL 106 , a new die-cutter and several innovations for the Diana folder gluers were demonstrated at an event earlier this month.
The new Mastermatrix 106 CSB was unveiled this spring.
It is the new flagship die-cutter from MK Masterwork and Heidelberg with a production speed of up to 9000 sheets per hour.
Heidelberg says the machine is designed for high speed and fast make-ready times. A new quick-lock clamping system for the cutting plate shortens the setup time without affecting tool compatibility with existing plates.
Setup time is further minimised by MasterRake – the non-stop swords in the delivery are locked pneumatically and can be disengaged at the push of a button and moved by the operator. This shortens the setup time at the delivery by up to 70 percent, the company says.
The Mastermatrix is integrated in the Prinect workflow. Job specific data is received at the die-cutter from Prinect. Data such as the sheet format is transferred and – after confirmation by the operator – the MasterFeeder sets itself automatically to the sheet format without further manual intervention.
During production, Heidelberg says the MasterSet optical register system ensures perfect registration between the print image and cutting tool for each sheet individually with the utmost precision. The camdrive of the Mastermatrix ensures a smooth and quiet production.
Two other new die cutters were launched earlier this year to complete the portfolio – the Powermatrix 106 CSB and Promatrix 145 CSB.
For short runs in packaging and commercial printing the Digimatrix line will be added in future: the Digimatrix 80 LR and the Digimatrix 106 LR. These digital die-cutters are integrated in the Prinect workflow and employ laser cutting technology; they are currently scheduled for launch in 2021. Both machines provide the option of an inline rotary creasing station and achieve speeds of up to 3000 sheets per hour.
