The team at Grafika Print has experienced increased production since integrating the Sentinel ink system on its Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 X into its operations, according to Kevin Schannauer (top), pressroom manager; and Jeff Coleman (bottom), offset press operator. © Koenig & Bauer

Printers praise the system’s unique value proposition which includes increased print consistency, exceptional ROI, and outstanding productivity enhancement

• Sentinel iPro is the leading cartridge-based ink dispensing system
• Its ultrasonic sensor monitors the amount of ink in the fountain, and automatically replaces it just where it is needed
• It reduces run waste from overfilling, ink spoilage and skinning, allows faster color changes, and by maintaining a consistent level of ink it eliminates color variation during the print run

Koenig & Bauer (US) is proud to have formed a strong strategic alliance with Sentinel, part of the Pamarco family of companies. A majority of its press installations over the past decade are successfully using the Sentinel system and have enjoyed a multitude of critical benefits.

“We are pleased to work with Koenig & Bauer’s broad portfolio of presses and support their customers’ efforts to have consistent quality, ease of use, and most importantly our alignment on sustainability for all markets of the printing industry,” says David Doucette, Director of Sales, Sentinel Ink Management Systems.

“The biggest benefit that our customers derive from using the Sentinel system is increased automation,” says Chris Travis, vice president of technology for Koenig & Bauer (US). “This increased automation removes the operator from the operation of agitating and dispensing the ink. But, there’s more. The Sentinel system provides additional flexibility, allowing packaging customers to switch and change or add PMS colors easily. Since the cartridges are plastic and paper, the system promotes sustainability. Operators can wash the plastic cartridges and reuse them. The printer has less waste to contend with.”

“Furthermore, the ROI is quick. The Sentinel system can even be retrofitted to older Koenig & Bauer presses,” says Travis. Koenig & Bauer customers praise the Sentinel system for its many benefits.

Grafika Print

"We have experienced increased production since integrating the Sentinel ink system on our Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 X into our operations,” says Kevin Schannauer, the offset pressroom manager for Grafika Print, an award-winning provider of consumer packaging, labeling, and commercial printing in Sinking Spring, PA. “The system has not only reduced ink waste and wash-up times, but it has also ensured that colors remain consistent and free from contamination. This is largely due to the minimal amounts of fresh ink maintained in the fountains. Additionally, the ability to track ink usage on a job-to-job basis has proven invaluable for our workflow. The service and support from Sentinel has been exceptional, making this equipment a must-have in our high-speed production environment.”

International PaperBox

“Our customers depend on us to produce vivid, eye-catching packaging on our new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 seven-color UV press,” says Wade Holbrook, who owns International PaperBox, a 65-employee Utah business along with his wife Kay. “Having the Sentinel ink management system on our press has supported total color consistency and productivity as well as reduced our labor and waste costs. It’s been a game-changer.”

Jones Healthcare Group

“We have the Sentinel ink management system on each of our Koenig & Bauer Rapida presses,” says Andy Morris, senior vice president of cartons and labels at the Jones Healthcare Group, a market leader in advanced packaging and medication dispensing solutions headquartered in Canada. “Our biggest benefit is its time savings. We’ve been able to increase our productivity by significantly reducing our clean up and makeready times.”

Reduced ink costs are another prime advantage. “Our operators do not have to scoop out the old ink,” says Kyle McVey, senior director of sheetfed operations at Jones. “We are no longer over-filling the fountain and there’s no waste ink left in the fountain. We use the exact amount needed for each run and this allows us to generate double-digit savings on our ink costs.”