Postpress is of immense importance in the entire value chain in printing, since it is where the saleable end product is produced. Machines that deliver speed, flexibility, reliability, and top quality are required here, especially in the growth markets of packaging and product embellishment. The first joint appearance by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) and Masterwork Machinery Co. (Masterwork) in Hall 1 at drupa 2016 will showcase and mark the launch of further new products from the successful partnership that precisely target these needs. One new product is the Powermatrix 106 CSB high-performance die cutter, which complements the existing Easymatrix 106 C/CS and Promatrix 106 CS die cutters and rounds off the upper end of the portfolio. For finishing using hot-foiling technology there is the Promatrix 106 FC and the MK Duopress 106 FCSB, of which the latter will be presented at drupa. The MK Duopress can hot foil, blind emboss, die cut, strip, and blank, all in one pass. The two partners will present the Diana Eye offline inspection system, which can check both highly reflective materials and high-quality finishing treatments such as embossing or holograms to ensure high quality for premium packagings. The modular and therefore versatile folder gluers from the Diana range are valued by large packaging groups as well as medium-sized folding carton producers alike. The Diana Smart 55 and 115 will be showcased at drupa. 

“We have been working with Masterwork since late 2014, and have already successfully launched a number of products aimed at helping our customers operate economically”, confirms Harald Weimer, Member of the Management Board responsible for Sales and Service at Heidelberg. “We are now bringing further new products to drupa 2016 that will support packaging and commercial printers to stand out from their competitors. We also offer a comprehensive range of services for postpress machines to ensure reliable and fail-safe operation. ” 

Reliable productivity and perfect quality

The Powermatrix 106 CSB with blanking, a joint project by Heidelberg and Masterwork, will be showcased at drupa.. A highlight of the Powermatrix 106 CSB is the MasterSet optical sheet register system, which dynamically adapts the position of the sheet and in this way ensures perfect alignment of the print image and the die-cutting tool. Together with the accurate registration of the die-cutting and stripping stations, the Powermatrix 106 CSB delivers precisely die-cut blanks and in this way significantly reduces paper waste. The new Powermatrix 106 CSB is ideal for industrial packaging printers, with their need for high efficiency and automation.  

High-quality finishings – inline in one pass 

The know-how Masterwork has in the tobacco packaging sector with several hundred hot-foil machines already installed at demanding customers is now also being incorporated into new products. High-quality finishing treatments, to enhance the brand and prevent counterfeiting, are important requirements in the luxury goods sector. Heidelberg offers two models here. One of these is the Promatrix 106 FC with longitudinal and transverse foiling as well as hologram application. It features a foil stamping section with 20 heating zones to give customers precise process control combined with consistently high quality. 

The other is the new MK Duopress 106 FCSB, which will be presented at drupa and offers die cutting, stripping, and blanking in addition to hot foiling. This improves productivity considerably and makes quality control easier. Its ability to implement complex embossing and hot-foiling applications makes the MK Duopress interesting for both packaging and commercial printers that want to offer their customers the highest levels of quality combined with the lowest production costs.

Top-quality carton folding for luxury goods and pharmaceuticals thanks to offline inspection with Diana Eye  

The quality inspection systems integrated into offset presses and folder gluers reach their limits as soon as highly reflective substrates or high-quality finishings such as embossing, hot and cold foiling, holograms, or bar codes need to be checked. A dedicated offline inspection system like the Diana Eye is the only reliable solution here. The Diana Eye range, available in 42 cm and 55 cm widths, combines unique LED lighting technology and a cutting-edge camera system with high-performance image analysis software. The Diana Eye can check features of the printed surface using up to four cameras, as well as verify the backside of the carton using a further, optional camera. Especially critical layout elements, such as QR codes, can additionally be checked using a very high-resolution area camera. The Diana Eye has an extremely user-friendly user interface. It allows the operator to prioritize specific areas of the blank for verification and downgrade others. This protects the brand quality and minimizes paper waste.  

Folding carton producers value the high flexibility and productivity of the Diana gluing machines

Sales of Diana folder gluers manufactured at MK’s European factory have grown following the introduction of the Diana Smart range. These machines boast a compact design without compromising on the proven Diana quality. With the launch of the 115 cm wide version of the Diana Smart at drupa, sales are expected to accelerate as customers looking to increase productivity invest in fast set-up folder gluers capable of handling all the main carton styles.