Smarter Technologies @ drupa

As GAM goes to press, drupa is just a few days away. Under the theme “Think Intelligent Automation,” the Horizon stand (above) is showcasing highly automated postpress in nearly 13,000-sq.ft. of exhibit space. (Horizon is distributed by Standard Finishing in the U.S.) Its AFC folders use an icon-based color touchscreen to prompt the operators through set-up, reportedly reducing changeover to under 30 seconds. Heidelberg reports similar makeready speed-ups for the latest version of its KH82 Stahl folders, helping the operator shave 80% off the set-up for cross-folds. The KH82 Stahl folder debuts at drupa.

In the consumables category, use of light-emitting diodes (LED) for ink curing is expected to gain a great deal of attention. Ryobi will present a technology demonstration of its small-format 525GX press with LED ink curing built in. The lamp operates at one-fourth the wattage of conventional UV curing lamps and emits no ozone.

Digital INX Co. (TDI), a member of INX Digital, announced before the show it is partnering with LED curing specialist Summit UV to develop Evolve UV, which it describes as the first UV LED-curing ink for 4-color, single-pass cure at speeds of 80 feet per minute or higher. It is being shown at drupa running with Xaar 1001 piezoelectric printheads in Hall 8b.

Toyo is debuting LED-UV curable offset inks designed for use on thin paper. The firm's FD LED series consists of a range of offset inks that are fully cured using ultraviolet rays produced by dedicated LEDs. Compared to conventional lamps, notes Toyo, next-generation LEDs consume roughly 75% less electricity. Other green benefits: LEDs don't contain any infrared, and the amount of heat generated is minimal, making it possible to print on films and other materials with a low level of heat resistance. Also, LEDs have a substantially longer life span (roughly 12 times as long, says Toyo).