Bobst | 75Bobst launches Digital Master seriesFollowing on from the DM5 ‘all-in-one’ format digital press, Bobst has launched the next generation machine, the Digital Master in web widths up to 510mm. Andy Thomas-Emans reportseveraging its proven fexo experience and recent innovations in inkjet development, Bobst has enhanced its in-line portfolio Lwith the new Digital Master press series. Available in two web widths, 340mm and 510mm, the Digital Master is designed to be a fully digitalized and automated production line, from printing to embellishment and cutting. The Digital Master presses are based on a fully modular and upgradeable architecture, enabling customers to build their own press and evolve it over time. ‘Developments in label production are moving at pace with brand owners looking for converters that have the ability to deliver faster, better and at more competitive prices,’ says Bobst strategic marketing manager Patrick Graber. ‘In this context, the Bobst Bobst’s new Digital Master pressAll-in-One platform is a great answer as digitally printed labels can be produced in high quality, with exceptional productivity and at “The introduction of a 510mm lower costs, from short to long runs. ‘With the Digital Master series, we want to solve our customers’ version adds new opportunities challenges as they try to overcome the lack of skilled workforce while moving to industrial productivity and longer run lengths with to expand application versatility digital equipment; and to bring more agility and fexibility to the production foor.’ into larger-sized labels, The Digital Master series will be available in 340mm (13.5in) and 510mm (20in) widths, printing at a native resolution of 1,200 industrial and chemical markets, x 1,200 DPI. The Digital Master presses run at speeds up to 100m/min (328ft/min) in four or six colors plus optional digital white.wraparound, shrink sleeves, and Like the Master DM5 it supersedes, the Digital Master offers other special applications”printing, embellishment and cutting in a single pass, with native integration between the UV inkjet engine and the fexo and converting modules. The introduction of a 510mm version adds such as embossing and sheeting.new opportunities to expand application versatility into larger-sized Also available are modules for special applications including labels, industrial and chemical markets, wraparound, shrink sleeves, multi-layer labels, back-side printing, coupon and others. and other special applications. ‘Each print, embellishment and fnishing module is digitally Adds Graber, ‘The Digital Master 510 provides higher production automated for high uptime, low waste, and repeatability regardless volume but still only needs one operator to run the press. The of the operator’s skills,’ continues Graber. press really bridges the gap between traditional digital and Quality control is handled by the inclusion of a Bobst Accucheck fexo machines. The Digital Master series stands for fexibility, 100 percent in-line inspection system operating at full press speed. fast turnaround, and inline end-to-end label production, with This technology checks registration, quality, and color consistency exceptional quality and productivity in increasing run lengths.’ of digital and fexo print and all embellishments including foil and varnish.Modular architecture The Accucheck system detects a broad range of print defects The modular architecture of the Digital Series presses allows including spots, streaks, missing text, color variations, registration customers to confgure the machine they need, from a digital-only errors, substrate integrity and double printing. It also incorporates version to highly customized confguration integrating all modules missing jet detection.available in in-line fexo. ‘It also provides the possibility to be To maximize productivity during longer runs the presses are upgraded on-site at a later stage when new technologies for these ftted as standard with 1,000mm (39in) jumbo unwinders and platforms are released,’ says Graber. rewinders with automated roll-lift to reduce the number of roll Typical applications for the fexo modules include priming changes. A single interface controls the whole machine, which can demanding substrates, high-ink coverage jobs for long print runs be connected to the Cloud and is open for MIS integration. to save on digital ink, applications with high white coverage, or for Other standard equipment includes web cleaner, corona unit, printing Pantone colors. Available embellishment features include web-guide, simplex mark reader for second pass printing, splice varnishing, tactile and holographic effects, cold foil glue-applied, UV detector, chilled roller and maintenance automation system along lamination, and security printing. with Digital Front End server for fast data processing.For end-to-end label production, fully automated semi-rotary die-cutting or rotary die-cutting are ready for integration. The An in-depth review of the Digital Master press series will semi-rotary die-cutting module has a repeat range up to 17in, while appear in the next edition of Labels & Labelingthe rotary die-cutting module allows for full converting options Apr - Jun 2022