PrintWeekMENA

Konica Minolta Expands Presence in Saudi Arabia with New Re…

Konica Minolta, a global leader in imaging products, business solutions, and digital transformation services, is pleased to announce the opening of its new Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This strategic move underscores the company’s strategic initiative on significant market expansion and opportunities ahead and its ambition to better serve customers across the region. Located in Riyadh, the new RHQ will serve as the central hub for Konica Minolta’s operations in KSA, facilitating stronger collaboration with local businesses, government entities, and customers. A Commitment to Saudi Vision 2030 Konica Minolta’s investment in KSA is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and foster innovation across various sectors. As part of its dedication to the country’s economic development, Konica Minolta plans to grow in the Saudi Arabian market focusing on expanding its market reach and broadening its partner portfolio, ensuring a robust presence in this transformative strategic management. “We are excited to establish our new regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, a country that is undergoing rapid transformation and presents significant opportunities for innovation,” said Osamu Miyauchi, CEO/Managing Director of Konica Minolta Arabia. “Our commitment to the Kingdom is strong, and this new RHQ allows us to engage more closely with local businesses and government partners to support Saudi Arabia‘s businesses in the Print Industry Landscape to its journey of transformation.” Focus on Innovation and Sustainability The new headquarters will also serve as a focal point for Konica Minolta’s efforts to bring next-generation technologies and sustainable solutions to the Saudi market. The company’s diverse portfolio includes cutting-edge products and services and sustainable business practices, with a strong emphasis on reducing environmental impact. Konica Minolta’s dedication to sustainability is reflected in its global initiatives, and the Saudi Arabian RHQ will serve as a springboard for developing new programs that support the Kingdom’s sustainability goals and initiatives related to energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. Looking Ahead Konica Minolta's digital printing solutions have become an essential part of the Middle East's evolving print industry, offering advanced technologies and versatile solutions for a wide range of businesses and sectors. As the region continues to develop its infrastructure and embrace technological advancements, Konica Minolta’s digital printing products cater to the growing demand for high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable printing solutions. Konica Minolta provides cutting-edge digital printing technology, especially for commercial printers and print service providers in the Middle East. These printers offer high-speed, high-quality printing, enabling businesses to produce a variety of print materials, such as marketing collateral, brochures, catalogs, business cards etc. Konica Minolta's AccurioPress series and AccurioPrint range are among the leading digital printing solutions designed to meet the needs of high-volume and commercial printers. Its digital printing solutions are used across a broad spectrum of applications in the Middle East including commercial printers, packaging, digital labels and embellishment, books and publishing etc. Through advanced technology, personalized print services, sustainability efforts, and comprehensive customer support, Konica Minolta is helping businesses in the region stay competitive while meeting the evolving demands of the market. The company’s ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly digital printing solutions makes it a preferred choice for a wide range of industries in the Middle East.

Konica Minolta Expands Presence in Saudi Arabia with New Re…

Three highly efficient BOBST folder-gluers give WELLSTAR full flexibi…

In mid-2021, WELLSTAR Packaging decided to invest in a BOBST EXPERTFOLD 165 with e-commerce option, which was installed later in the year. As a result, the German manufacturer of corrugated board packaging now has three folder-gluers from BOBST covering the entire range of formats and applications required by customers in the e-commerce market. “The overall concept of the e-commerce version of the EXPERTFOLD 165 meets our needs. With this machine, we have optimized our efficiency in the production of medium-sized shipping packaging,” says Sebastian Würth, Operations Manager at WELLSTAR-Packaging GmbH, explaining the background to the investment decision. The Bräunlingen-based company has produced corrugated packaging for the e-commerce market since 2013, using a BOBST MASTERFOLD 145 folder-gluer configured specifically for its requirements. Four years later, it put into operation a MASTERFOLD 230 for larger packaging formats. The excellent experience with the quality and reliability of these folder-gluers spoke in favor of once again relying on the Swiss manufacturer when investing in another machine for medium-sized formats. Production of complex packaging in one pass All three BOBST folder-gluers at WELLSTAR are equipped with a GYROBOX module, which can rotate blanks at any angle from 00 to 900 in the running direction – optionally from left to right or from right to left. With a high degree of flexibility and at speeds up to 250 m/min, it allows single-pass production of very complex shipping boxes that would otherwise have to pass through the machine twice. This not only reduces manufacturing costs, but also simplifies the production of packaging that require silicone strips and tear tapes, while boxes that do not need to be rotated can pass through the GYROBOX module at full machine speed. WELLSTAR has had additional video cameras installed on the GYROBOX modules of all three folder-gluers, allowing operators to monitor the production process in great detail. Mr Würth comments, “From our point of view, this inline variant is the best solution for the production of e-commerce packaging.” The GYROBOX on WELLSTAR’s MASTERFOLD 230 folder-gluer consists of two large modules. They rotate the blanks of the larger shipping boxes with maximum stability and reliability. “We achieve very good results with this configuration. Production downtime has been reduced to a minimum,” reports Mr Würth. “Meanwhile, a comparable GYROBOX configuration is available for the EXPERTFOLD 165 format range, and we will probably have our machine retrofitted with this option in the coming year,” says the plant manager, looking to the future. BOBST is continuously working on improving its machine technology and is thus providing WELLSTAR with new possibilities in packaging production. “This is also an important element for us in our partnership with the Swiss company,” adds Mr Würth. Impressive interaction of technology BOBST’s ongoing development of technology and consistent focus on new requirements are reflected in various components of the EXPERTFOLD 165. For example, the smooth and precise feeding of blanks with the integrated ACCUFEED alignment module contributes significantly to the high reliability in the production of medium-sized e-commerce packaging. With its wider infeed transport, the alignment module guarantees highest folding quality even with heavier materials. Mr Würth explains, “We generally insert our die-cut blanks in a straight line. ACCUFEED ideally supports the smooth feeding of the blanks and their insertion into the EXPERTFOLD 165.” From his point of view, the transport belts are optimally designed for processing corrugated board. The technology for applying silicone strips and self-adhesive tapes is seamlessly integrated thanks to the special POLYVACUUM module. This not only reduces manufacturing costs, but also simplifies production. For quality assurance, the individual machine modules are equipped with sensors, which measure the lengths of the boxes and stop the machine if any deviations from the specified parameters are detected. The control system will indicate on the screen which sensor has triggered the stop, so the operators can quickly eliminate the cause of the problem. In short, the entire technology works together smoothly. The delivery, which has been specially configured for the production of e-commerce packaging, also fits into this picture. Thanks to its sophisticated technology with separate drive and automatic apron centering, the finished boxes are delivered on the belt aligned perfectly straight. Fast changeovers WELLSTAR usually produces order sizes of between about 2,000 and 50,000 in a two-shift operation on the EXPERTFOLD 165, with about four job changeovers per day currently. As a folder-gluer of the latest generation, the EXPERTFOLD 165 offers even greater ease of operation. For example, all sections have been equipped with individual command panels to shorten the distances for machine operators and enable them to react as quickly as possible. “This means that our operators do not have to rely entirely on the remote control,” says Mr Würth explaining the advantage. In addition, they can adjust the transport here via toggle switches without having to navigate through the menu on their remote controls. The infeed transports of the EXPERTFOLD 165 can also be automatically locked and unlocked via a toggle switch, which on its own reduces makeready times by up to five minutes. “The machine’s ease of operation has been very well received by our machine operators. They really enjoy working on the new folder-gluer,” says Mr Würth, indicating that the new technology has increased the company’s attractiveness as an employer, especially for younger workers. WELLSTAR stores all job data, including the positions of the transports, in the machine’s MATIC control system. For repeat orders, these can be retrieved at the simple touch of a button. In view of the many long-term relationships with customers, the proportion of repeat orders at the company is comparatively high. All from one single source “The EXPERTFOLD 165 makes it even easier for us to achieve the high quality we strive for in our e-commerce packaging,” says Mr Würth, summarizing the advantages of the new technology. At the same time, its ease of operation and the quick intervention of the machine operators in the event of a malfunction have further minimized waste, which is recycled back into corrugated board production at WELLSTAR. Being able to cover the market’s requirements as completely as possible from a single source is the company’s philosophy. “No matter what formats our customers require and whether they need printed or unprinted packaging, there is hardly anything we cannot do for the corrugated board sector," claims Mr Würth, pleased with the flexibility WELLSTAR has achieved in its production process. In addition to bespoke packaging, the company offers around 350 different standard products, which it ships from stock to anywhere in Germany with the shortest delivery times. Some of these can be ordered via its online store verpackungenbestellen.de. In addition, customers can customize shipping packaging for delivery throughout Europe on the PrintYourBox.de website. “BOBST will continue to develop its technology and the company responds quickly and proactively to new market requirements. That is unmistakable,” says Mr Würth with satisfaction. With its cornerstones of digitalization, automation, connectivity and sustainability, BOBST’s vision for the future sets the tone. For example, WELLSTAR now uses the convenience of the myBOBST online portal to quickly procure spare parts for its folder-gluers. The new European spare parts warehouse in Genk, Belgium, will further improve availability. Furthermore, the company’s MASTERFOLD and EXPERTFOLD machines are linked to the Helpline Plus technical support system, which enables BOBST’s technical experts to respond quickly online to any issues in production. This also supports the high availability of the machines. “BOBST’s technicians are very competent and friendly, and we maintain a very open relationship with each other,” concludes Mr Würth explaining that WELLSTAR also feels in good hands with its machine supplier in this respect. “The machines offer us great flexibility and we can cover the widest range of requirements. It just works.”

Admin in News Feb. 5, 2023

How to implement automation in printing operations

It is becoming necessary in printing operations to automate as much as possible to gain efficiencies. But before you begin your planning processes, look at your current state to ensure that you understand how works happen today. Kodak, a global technology company focused on print and advanced materials and chemicals, explains the vital role of automation in printing operations and how to do it properly. Read on. Single system of record that reliably gathers data from business and production systems If you have that system of record, you are in the perfect state to take on end-to-end automation. If you have multiple points of data collection that have never been integrated, there is still a path to automation. Still, your planning may take longer to accommodate identifying the required data and the processes that use them. Standard processes for order taking, job specification, and order management When there are standard processes, planning for automation can leverage them to speed implementation. When the procedures to take orders are different for every sales channel, it is hard to standardize order intake. When the process of capturing job specifications varies by sales team member and orders are managed without a strategic view into machine usage and job deadlines, some work will be required before automating and making those processes more efficient. How many spreadsheets are used to track jobs, components, or processes? Every business has some ad hoc processes tracked on spreadsheets, whiteboards, and notepads to keep mission-critical items front of mind. There is nothing wrong with them, but when they become the sole source of truth about a job or a process, they add risk to production. Some organisations justify using spreadsheets by putting them onto shared-access servers so that all authorized constituents can easily access them. It sounds like a great idea, but over time you may find that copies are sitting on individual desktops, and the shared copy is no longer the reliable source of information. Knowing what you have as you plan for automation will help you size the effort. Moving to that automated environment creates a single system of record that is reliable and can be integrated into adjacent business and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Planning for automation You could find some processes that appear easy to automate, add some new tools, and call that your automation plan, but there is a better path. It starts with knowing what is possible. New options in cloud-based workflows bring the same powerful options to smaller shops as the largest shops enjoy. With minimal investments and immediate implementation, shops with a single digital press can build an efficient workflow that will scale using the same technology as a mid-size shop with a mix of offset and digital devices. And these modern cloud-based production workflow solutions can help in any segment, whether the work you produce is graphically-rich static content or uses data-driven processes to execute variable content targeted to a specific recipient. Today’s automated production workflows are built to integrate MIS and ERP tools, Web-to-Print solutions, and e-commerce options. This approach should be high on your list as you consider automation options because it brings a robust IT infrastructure to the table. Automating individual processes glued together with manual interventions isn’t the accomplishment that brings the most benefit. Considering automation requires a dive into every action involved, from the point of estimation and sale to the final delivery to the customer. Planning is the active event designed to identify the touchpoints and the best approach to reviewing each step, the people involved, and the current tools used. Start by articulating your strategic goals for 2022. You may be looking to expand into a new industry or print segments. Your current workload may require more capacity. You may want to acquire more capabilities, either through buying more equipment, optimising workflows, or buying a company. As you consider your strategic plan, itemize the candidate processes for automation to move you toward those goals. Don’t be surprised if you identify current manual processes as critical roadblocks. Strategic goals are long-term and inform the way the business runs. There will be some work to do to build the bridge from strategy to implementation, and that is where tactical planning becomes essential. Tactical goals are more than solving today’s bottleneck. They work within the strategy to consider implementing new software and processes while keeping production moving. Think of it as changing the tires on a car while it’s in motion. There will be practical concerns as current processes are replaced by automation, including how and when to move off tools that are no longer providing value. Tactics should support the strategic goals and solve the business' specific challenges without adding more hurdles to creating an automated environment. Build the strategic plan for automation to consider the practical implication of automating the current processes, including goals for gaining buy-in from the team members in each department, who may be asked to change how they do their jobs or change positions to accommodate the planned process modifications. Look for onramps to the fully automated business environment for every element in the tactical plan that enables lower cost and higher margins. A part of tactical planning includes your approach to daily operations. To create an efficient environment in 2022, consider a standalone Operational Plan to document the expectations for each department, interface points between departments, and the key performance metrics that will help everyone stay on the strategic course. Automation does not eliminate the need to understand the production touchpoints. The best practice is to document what should happen if you lose access to the automation, too. The last step in planning for automation is to build the appropriate contingency plans. Cloud-based automated workflows protect you from onsite server disruptions and mitigate much of the risk associated with onsite installations when paired with a disciplined backup strategy. What to do next If you plan to automate your print workflow in 2022, look for scalable and easy platforms to integrate with your core business systems. Ensure that your chosen technology partner lets you automate each task within prepress and production and then map those automated tasks together to ensure that each type of job takes the correct journey through each process. Learn your options, and then create a plan that works for you.

admin in News July 22, 2022

Estimable estimators

If they were lucky, the human estimators had an adding machine or desktop calculator to help with the figures. A busy medium-sized printer might have 10 or more full time estimators. Finding and keeping that many specialised estimators could be tricky, as the work was exacting but hardly exciting. Computers were an obvious solution, but the knowledge of how to program for such specialised calculations wasn’t. One of the first UK companies to crack it was what was to become Imprint Business Systems, which is still going strong after 42 years. Today its customers in print and packaging run into the hundreds and many of them have used Imprint systems for at least 25 years. Like most of the early MIS developers, Imprint grew out of the needs of a particular print company, which then used the experience gained to sell to a wider circle or printing and packaging companies. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw a lot of computer estimating start-ups, often with printing company roots. Some of Imprint’s original UK competitors from 40-odd years ago have also survived and prospered independently, such as Optimus (originally Optichrome Computer Systems Ltd, or OCSL), DDS (Accura) and Tharstern, while others were taken over by the ever-expanding EFI empire (such as Prism, Radius, Shuttleworth and Technique). A few others have either merged, or closed, or both. Imprint itself was founded in 1978 by Glennys Bourne and Jonathan Richards. Originally the pair had worked together at the art book printer Shenval Press in Harlow. Richards was general manager, later a director of Shenval, but had learned programming skills at college. Bourne went on to run the nearby Caterpillar Press. Bourne says that the reason for writing the original computer estimating program was a shortage of the trained human variety. “You could not get estimators for love nor money,” she says. So the first estimating program was written to suit the needs of Shenval Press and Caterpillar Press. Bourne saw the potential for Imprint beyond the needs of Shenval and Caterpillar, so the latter was sold to concentrate on the new business. “The Imprint name describes the company well and has stood us well over the years,” says Richards. “As for why the name was chosen, it just seemed a good fit at the time.” Both are still very much involved today. Bourne is CEO, while Jonathan Richards says he’s “allowed to be chairman on high days and holidays”. However, time marches on and their children Will Richards and Nick Bourne have also joined Imprint – the latter now being MD. Today Imprint is based in High Easter, in the countryside between Chelmsford and Bishop’s Stortford, handily close to the M11 and Stansted airport. It employs 16 people in an often overlapping mix of management, programming and customer services roles.

admin in News July 22, 2022

Agfa Avinci CX3200

Avinci CX3200 is 3.2 m wide dye sub textile printer capable of printing on polyester-based textiles What is it? Agfa’s Avinci CX3200 is a highly reliable and convenient soft signage printer that can print directly to fabrics and onto transfer paper. It uses an off-line calendar unit to ensure perfect fixation. Agfa’s dedicated dye sublimation roll-to-roll printer will enable you to create vibrant, high-quality prints on polyester-based fabrics up to 3.2 m wide, including a broad range of in- and outdoor soft signage applications, as well as interior decoration. The Avinci CX3200 boasts a rich color gamut and delivers deep black, perfect solids, accurate spot color mapping and smooth tonal rendering that is particularly noticeable in skin tones. The Avinci inks are characterised by their flexibility, image longevity and outdoor resistance. They offer stable jetting performance and deliver the same high-quality results, batch after batch. An off-line calender unit fixes the color deeply into the structure of the polyester-based fabrics while evaporating the carrier fluid. When was it launched at what are the target markets? It was launched on June 22, 2021, and aimed at soft signage industry, sports wear, fashion industry and home décor. Avinic CX3200 is a 3.2 m wide Dye Sub Textile printer capable of printing on polyester based textiles. Does it replace an earlier product? It replaces the earlier model of DX3200. The Avinci CX3200 is driven by Agfa’s Asanti wide-format workflow software. Color accuracy is provided by the easy-to-use color management. Using their Calibrated Print Mode feature, new media can be calibrated and profiled in less than 15 minutes, after which the new profiles can be used to guarantee print quality. Asanti controls and automates the entire printing process from file intake to finishing, maximising productivity. Its comprehensive integration of file handling, color management and preflighting guarantees smooth and error-free jobs. The web-based Asanti Production Dashboard offers a view on your running production. It summarizes the jobs produced and reports on quantity printed, media usage, ink volumes enabling you to control your production and to manage your print shop optimally. What is the USP? It allows you to print directly on textiles and capable of print on transfer paper media as well. Single person media loading and low inks consumptions are another features. High productivity and a robust design for reliable printing at all times, vibrant prints and a wide color gamut; fine detail rendering; extensive applications scope; low ink consumption; convenient operations and a fast changeover between jobs are another features. Avinci produces good results with a minimum of jetted ink. This low ink consumption is based on Agfa’s renowned Thin Ink Layer technology: a smart combination of particular ink characteristics and our Asanti workflow software algorithms that tune the ink quantities perfectly to the required image quality mode. What training and support are available? Full in house training and support available from Agfa UAE and Belgium. Complete and integrated solution are available for printer, inks, workflow software, worldwide service and applications support. How productive is it? It prints at speed of 250 Sqm per hr on express mode. Being able to print directly to fabric is easy and ideal for fast handling and for special applications such as flags, where print-though is needed. Transfer paper allows for super sharp prints, eliminates any set-off, and limits media waste to a minimum. In addition, it extends the application scope to sportswear and fashion garments, as well as home décor prints on non-coated polyester fabrics. What does it cost? How is it sold? The recommended retail price (RRP) is approximately $220k stand alone printer and requires a separate calendaring unit. How many are in use? Currently, the latest CX3200 are around 11 units around the world. Specifications 3.2m Dye sublimation Printer Kyocera print heads 4 colour printer CYMK Direct to garment capable to print on transfer paper Max speed of 250 sqm Stand alone printer Resolution up to 600 x 1800 dpi Media types: Polyester-based fabrics, or transfer paper used to create banners, indoor wall graphics, shop decoration, outdoor advertising, light boxes, trade show displays, flags and high polyester-based blends “Agfa Avinci CX3200 was launched in June 2021.”

Aug. 2, 2022

Epson – SureColor SC V7000 Flatbed Printer

Epson's first UV large format printer offers exceptional image quality, Shihab Zubair What is it? The SureColor SC-V7000 is Epson's first UV large format printer, offering exceptional image quality. The V7000 is ideal for printing eye-catching retail and outdoor signage, window displays, hoarding panels, packaging, promotional goods, and décor products. It includes Epson’s Micro Piezo printhead with ten newly developed original inks, for accurate colour reproduction for spot and corporate colours. It allows businesses the flexibility to print on a range of media up to 80mm thick including acrylics, polycarbonates, PVC, glass, aluminium, metal, polyester, foam board, styrene, wood and stone. The printhead layout enables simultaneous high-speed printing and, with the 4-zone vacuum system, it offers real flexibility for production environments. When was it launched at what are the target markets? The Epson SureColor SC-V7000 was launched in April 2021 within the Middle East region, building on the success of Epson’s award-winning range of SureColor S Series signage printers. The V7000 allows sign and display makers to expand their portfolio of products, to deliver high quality, fast and reliable results on a variety of different media. Does it replace an earlier product? The SureColor SC-V7000 proudly marks Epson’s entry into the UV flatbed signage print market. As Epson’s first UV large format printer, it provides unique features to differentiate and enhance our offering to the signage market. Every feature of the Epson SureColor SC-V7000 has been designed with the customer in mind. This is a robust and affordable UV LED flatbed signage printer capable of fast and quality printing on a wide range of media – any type of surface, despite the size, thickness, or weight. This is in addition to Epson’s successful product solutions such as the Epson SureColor SC Series of eco-solvent and resin ink printers. For instance, for environmentally friendly organisations, Epson’s SureColor SC-R5010 Series has the capacity to include a resin ink solution, offering print service providers and creative design agencies the ability to produce a wide range of signage in a more sustainable way, without compromising on the results. For a larger ink capacity, Epson offers the SureColor SC-R5010L. What is the USP? The Epson SureColor SC-V7000 provides exceptional image quality, productivity, usability, and safety. With the unique Epson Micro Piezo printhead, the printer has ten newly developed original inks and 3-layer high-speed printing. It helps print with ease and safety with automatic measurement of media thickness, a multi-zone vacuum, and a printhead crash prevent function, Epson Edge Print, proximity sensors. What training and support is available? Epson manufactures all the components for the SureColor SC-V7000, including printheads, inks and software, in order to reach the consistent quality levels that our customers expect. The Epson Cloud Solution PORT is a cloud-based system from where you will be able to monitor equipment across several sites, or several printers across one site, from the production floor or remotely, and assist the control of production. This enables efficient production planning, increased uptime and enhanced support. Epson Production Monitor is part of the Epson Cloud Solution PORT suite of apps and allows you to examine the production status in real-time. If an issue occurs, it can be corrected efficiently with minimal disruption to the print run. How productive is it? The SureColor SC-V7000 enables businesses to print at high speed with a maximum print area of 2.5 metres by 1.25 metres. The printhead layout enables simultaneous high-speed printing, with white ink and varnish, without losing productivity. What does it cost? How is it sold? The recommended retail price (RRP) is around AED 330,563 (US $90,000) and it is sold through authorised partners in the Middle East. How many are in use? Currently two printers have been installed in the UAE, and we are scheduled to install a few more in December and further into 2022. Specifications UltraChrome UV 10-colour inkset Printing resolution of 720 x 1,440 DPI Outstanding print quality High-speed simultaneous printing even when using white, colour and varnish Printheads, ink, firmware and software with an ink tank capacity of 1,000 ml Price from AED 330,563 “Epson SureColor SC-V7000 was launched in April 2021.”

Aug. 2, 2022

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