98 | Labelexpo Europe 2023 – Press technologyfexo-inkjet combination machines, with Bobst, for example, “HYBRID IS BECOMING favoring ‘All-in-One’. What we can certainly say is that Labelexpo Europe 2023 INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO DEFINE, saw deepening relationships between fexo and digital press manufacturers to jointly develop inline integrated AS DIGITAL PRESSES START TO fexo-inkjet presses. Durst and Omet signaled a strengthening of their strategic INCORPORATE FLEXO STATIONS AND partnership, with a commitment to jointly develop and FLEXO PRESSES ARE FITTED WITH manufacture the next generation of hybrid presses - and for Durst to fully integrate sales and support of the hybrid DIGITAL PROCESSING MODULES”presses throughout its global sales and service network. Omet demonstrated the current version of the XJet Omet-Durst hybrid press on its stand. the option to incorporate a fexo unit. Screen and Nilpeter introduced the latest generation of their Bobst revealed a strategic partnership with Asteria Group which jointly developed press (Nilpeter no longer uses the term ‘hybrid’), involves Asteria’s investment in multiple Digital Master All-in-One combining Screen’s new Truepress Label 350UV SAI technology production platforms throughout Europe. with Nilpeter’s FA-Line fexo platform. The Truepress Label 350UV Bobst also announced that Visutech has been appointed SAI S unit offers up to seven colors, enabling expanded gamut distributor for the Nordic countries representing the company’s along with high-performance white printing. The FA-4 UV fexo complete narrow-mid-web product portfolio including fexo, digital stations are sleeve-based with closed chamber ink trays and can and All-in-One machines. use any combination of LED-UV or mercury UV curing. The press Domino launched its N610i-R digital retroft module targeted incorporates a quick-change semi-rotative die station. at OEMs and converters looking to add digital printing into With its established partnerships with Konica Minolta and existing fexographic presses. The N610i-R digital retroft module Domino and its self-developed HD Series press, Mark Andy now is available in four or fve colors (CMYK+W), with a double white offers six hybrid confgurations that match fexo with inkjet or option (WW+CMYK). The fve-color version allows for printing toner depending on the price point and application. The DPro Max in high opacity digital white (72 percent) – often used as a takes full advantage of Konica Minolta’s new Accurio 400 engine replacement for silk-screen printing – at 50m/min (164ft/min). to offer higher speeds and a white toner along with CMYK. Mark Both color versions are available with Domino-manufactured UV90 Andy’s new Pro Series fexo press is now feld-upgradable to this and UV95 ink sets. The UV95 ink set is suitable for non-direct hybrid combination. contact food packaging applications and is produced in line with A particular point of hybrid interest on the Mark Andy stand Nestlé’s guidance on food packaging, EuPIA guidelines, and the was the addition of a Kurz Distorun metalization module on an HD Swiss Ordinance for Food Packaging Inks. Series press, allowing registered placement of foils and holograms. Amica Systems made a major move into the LED-UV inkjet ‘This kind of embellishment is the future,’ says Phil Baldwin. ‘The sector with the launch of two presses at Labelexpo – the LPS330 quality is the same as using tooling and shows how fexo and digital and the narrower web (up to 108mm) 6-color Scorpio press. The complement each other – that’s the way the market is shifting LPS330 prints at 720x1200dpi confgured with White, CMYK and towards hybrid fusions.’ digital varnish. The Scorpio prints in six colors, CMYK+OG. Also on Bobst announced a new ‘All-in-One’ press, the Digital Expert show was the new Gemini 330 4-color UV inkjet press ftted with 340, built on the same platform as the Digital Master press which automatic purge, wipe and cap functionality with print resolution the company showed on its stand. The Digital Expert press will of 600x1200dpi. operate at 65m/min with the ability to upgrade to 100m/min and Chinese suppliers made a sizeable impact with hybrid press launches. First-time Labelexpo Europe exhibitor Flora has diversifed from its wide format technology base to launch its frst LABELEXPO FOUNDER CLIVE SMITH narrow web inline press, the J-450 Pro hybrid. The Flora J-450 PASSES AWAY prints in up to six colors at up to 60m/min with a maximum print resolution of 1200 x 600dpi. It was demonstrated integrated with It is with great sadness that the Tarsus Labels Group pre-coating, cold stamping and fexo printing modules.announces the death of Clive Smith, founder of Labelexpo. HanGlobal unveiled its LabStar330S Hybrid, which combines Clive Smith launched the frst Labelex show in London in 7-color digital printing with fexo, cold foil stamping, lamination 1980 to showcase coding, marking and labeling technology and die-cutting at 50m/min. for the garment and wider package and product labeling Upgrading from fve to seven colors allows the LabStar330S industries. The show was sponsored by Mike Fairley’s Labels engine to cover over 90 percent of Pantone colors. Optionally to & Labeling magazine published by his Cowise group, a adding OVG, along with White, inkjet varnish can also be selected partnership that was to endure throughout the show’s history. for tactile effects and digital spot varnish. In 1985 Smith moved the show to Europe, running at the Pulisi launched its Aobead multi-functional digital press. The Rogier Centre in Brussels. Finat supported the seminar program press demonstrated at Labelexpo, seen for the frst time in Europe, for the frst time, and this was later followed by an agreement was specially confgured with multiple hybrid modules including to exclusively partner with the European show. front fexo primer, 7-color (CMYK+white/orange/varnish) digital Smith signed an agreement with TLMI to exclusively support engine, cold foil stamping and inspection. The press uses Epson Labelexpo America, with the frst show taking place at the printheads for a resolution of 600 x 1200dpi in CMYK+W.Rosemont Center Chicago in 1990. In 1991, the frst Labelexpo Asia show took place at the World Trade Centre, in Singapore. In 1998 Tarsus took over ownership of the Labelex/Cowise The next opportunity to see the Chinese press systems group. mentioned above in action will be at Labelexpo Asia At Labelexpo Europe 2019, Smith was honored with a 2023 in Shanghai in December. For more information, Global Label Industry Special Recognition Award.visit www.labelexpo-asia.comlabelsandlabeling.com