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Future defining automation and robotics at drupa 2024

Print Solutions Finishing Solutions


Responsive and fast turnaround short runs have become the mainstay for many print companies since the last time the print industry gathered at drupa eight years ago.

 

While agile print technology has been a key driver, bindery systems and software have evolved to deliver streamlined end to end completion. The growth in robotics has also enabled the increased adoption of ever more green button and touchless production.

 

At the exhibition, Horizon (hall 6, stand F21-3) will launch the 500 cycles an hour Horizon BQ-300 fully automated single clamp binder with shortened job changeover times and new template feature.

 

New, too, is the HSF-50D sheet feeder that can be part of the ice StitchLiner Mark V, roll to booklet saddlestitcher. At drupa the line will be presented with the unwind unit leading to Hunkeler sheeter for feeding into the StitchLiner. The HSF-50D enables the easy switching between roll feeding mode to cut sheet feeding mode. This supports variable pagination production.

 

Joining Horizon’s portfolio as well is the new SPF-2000 bookletmaker, the next evolution of the successful SPF-200 system.

 

All have been developed to increase automation and place products into complete production lines with robot handling or robots that move pallets of work in progress around the operation. One example is a robot arm placing book blocks printed on a Canon cutsheet press into Tecnau’s BookReady and feeding these into the Horizon BQ-300.

 

The stand will also feature smart book solutions with an in line cut sheet press and robotic arm book production system incorporating Ricoh systems, plow fold book production with the new Horizon BBS-56 block making system for short to medium run book production, and cut and stack smart binding in collaboration with Hunkeler.

 

For litho, a B1 folder, will deliver to a MiniCabs gatherer using an AGV robot. There will also be a Horizon StitchLiner Mark IV.

In total six robotic elements will be split between three systems moving work in progress from one station to the next production unit and three robot arms loading the next machine or loading a pallet.

 

The Ice StitchLiner Mark V roll to booklet saddlestitcher will benefit from the newly announced HSF-50D sheet feeder.

 

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