Andover, MA – Switzerland-based Hunkeler AG, a world leader in high-performance paper handling systems, will show a comprehensive portfolio of unwinding, rewinding, cutting, stacking, perforating, punching, web inspection, tracking and folding solutions at the upcoming drupa event in Düsseldorf, Germany to be held May 31 - June 10. Together with North American distributor Standard Finishing Systems, Hunkeler will demonstrate many world premieres and updates in paper processing and finishing for the roll-fed digital production print market. Over 20 unique Hunkeler solutions will be running at the fairgrounds – in the Hunkeler booth (located in Hall 8a/C20) and at twelve additional booths hosted by industry-leading digital print, finishing, paper and mail inserting partners.  

Hunkeler will present a well-rounded mix of first-ever showings, technology updates and new system configurations, both in-line and near-line. Just a few of the highlights include a highly dynamic newspaper and glued booklet solution, variable-format book production, laser perforating/engraving for security applications, enhanced web inspection and tracking, an innovative book destacking solution, and the latest generation, high performance direct mail application. “Hunkeler solutions have been designed with the unique flexibility to deliver almost every conceivable end product from a paper roll,” says David Reny, Executive Vice President at Standard. “The twenty-plus configurations on display at drupa will demonstrate the true diversity of the Hunkeler line, setting new standards for efficient, integrated workflow in book, newspaper, transactional and marketing applications. Standard is ready and excited to share these new offerings with our customers.”

World Premieres in the Hunkeler Booth

Hunkeler will introduce its proprietary Dyna-cut technology as part of a book-on-demand solution for variable-format in-line book production, converting pre-printed rolls to pre-glued book blocks. Fully automatic variability of book block spine length between stacks is possible using the new Dyna-cut function in the CS6-HS Cutter and SD7-II Stacker, which enables dynamic, barcode-driven changes in sheet length. Rolls are processed into 4, 6, or 8-page signatures in the PF7 Double Plow Folder, with sheet count and page number alternating rapidly from one book to the next. The simple SD7-II double star wheel delivery unit provides integrated book block gluing for easy and error-free downstream processing and non-stop production up to 650 fpm. Data matrix codes insure accurate control and document integrity, with visual monitoring of quality and production progress. Book blocks produced on this solution will in turn be used to demonstrate Hunkeler’s exciting debut of the BD7 Dynamic Book Destacker. 

Hunkeler’s brand new BD7 Book Destacker is an innovative solution that bridges the gap in the production of books with variable formats and page count. The BD7 serves as the intelligent interface connecting Hunkeler book block solutions to any perfect binder – making it possible to go from roll to finished perfect bound book in one end-to-end process. In a world premiere, Hunkeler will demonstrate how this system can intelligently de-stack book blocks of various format and thickness and then automatically present each individual book to the perfect binder for final processing.

Front and center in the Hunkeler booth is a dynamic newspaper and booklet production solution with fully automatic changeover offering ultimate format flexibility. The system will demonstrate two different roll-fed newspaper applications delivering both broadsheet newspapers up to 140 pages with nested sections of variable sheet count as well as tabloid newspapers with dynamic gluing in the spine. The system features unwinding on the UW7, cross-cutting in the CS7, sheet gathering in the DC7 Drum Collator, and parallel and cross-folding in the FC7 Folder and Collator. It’s also possible to mix production of broadsheet and tabloid newspapers, with fully automatic line changeover while the job is in progress. This same system will also be shown producing glued booklets and will feature the newly updated HL6 Laser Module capable of fully dynamic, zero make-ready, customized punch and perforation patterns for high-security applications. The system can produce up to 500 fpm in 1-up or 2-up mode. Intuitive operation via a new version of the laser editor allows for easy processing and administration of the punching and perforating templates. 

Hunkeler will release an enhanced WI6 web inspection and tracking system that will be demonstrated on multiple Hunkeler lines throughout the halls. Hunkeler’s proven inspection and tracking software ensures error-free print quality through continuous monitoring of the printed web for quality-related checks such as color registration, front-to-back registration, variable contents, print marks, logos, pictures, and jet-outs. The new space-saving, integrated design employs compact CIS (Contact Image Sensor) technology for high-end quality and integrity control, and can be combined with the new and improved Hunkeler Site Manager for flexible reporting and tracking at the line, job, document, and sheet level. The WI6 is now also available for 30” and 42”-wide web widths and will be shown on the HP PageWide Web Press T460 in the HP booth. In the Hunkeler booth, the new WI6 will also be integrated in the rotary cutter as part of the latest generation direct mail production line, delivering complex, variable-data folded mail pieces in one pass with dynamic perforating from sheet to sheet and complete integrity control. 

Hunkeler Inkjet and Inserting Partners Demonstrate Integrated Solutions 

Hunkeler pre- and post-solutions will be shown in cooperation with industry-leading digital inkjet press manufacturers to demonstrate in-line and near-line workflow efficiency, delivering a variety of output from white paper or pre-printed roll. In the Canon booth, Hunkeler will show a Roll-to-Stack/Fold/Rewind combination line with dynamic punching and perforation for transactional and mailing applications. Full-color mailings will be printed on the roll-fed Océ Colorstream 3000Z, with in-line conversion to folded sheets or 2-up stacked output and integrated web inspection for quality and integrity control. In the HP booth, the HP T-230 press will be running in a Roll-to-Roll configuration with near-line finishing on the Hunkeler Roll-to-Cut/Stack line delivering full-bleed stacks in 1-up, 2-up, or 3-up mode. Ricoh will feature a Hunkeler combination system for Roll-to-Roll and Roll-to-Stack production in-line with the Ricoh Pro VC60000 inkjet press. A second Roll-to-Roll/Roll-to-Stack combination solution will be shown in-line with the Impika eVolution in the Xerox booth printing a variety of book block and POD applications in full-color with dynamic hole punching and cross-perforating. Screen will demonstrate Roll-to-Roll and Roll-to-Booklet production with in-line printing on the Screen Truepress Jet520 HD and featuring the Horizon StitchLiner 6000 Digital Saddlestitcher. Additional Hunkeler solutions will be shown with partners Bowe Systec, Horizon, Mondi Paper, and Pitney Bowes. 

Drupa attendees are invited to arrange a private equipment demonstration tailored to their application requirements by pre-registering for the Standard VIP Program at www.sdmc.com/drupa.