09.05.18
Machine builder and flexible packaging specialist W&H said it reached its first milestone in its digital printing machine development concept. W&H partnered with inkjet printhead manufacturer Xaar, basing the project on piezo inkjet technology.
"We see a need in the flexible packaging market to use digital printing in addition to the established processes. This is driven by the need for faster time-to-market and very short order lengths," W&H CEO Jürgen Vutz said. "However, the application of flexible packaging has very special requirements, for example regarding the adhesion of the ink to the film. As specialists in this market, we bring expert knowledge to offer answers to these challenges. First, by continuously advancing the established processes such as flexo and gravure printing. Second, by opening up the possibilities of digital printing for flexible packaging."
Since 2016, the digital printing team has driven the implementation with a development project involving million-dollar investments.
"We first collected practical requirements, evaluated technologies and tested new approaches. This has resulted in a machine concept that stands out from all existing approaches and provides our customers with added value. We are now implementing this with suitable partners. The new digital machine concept from W&H is characterized by higher quality and higher speeds," said Sven Michael, head of the digital team at W&H.
"High availability and usability in daily use are our top priorities," Vutz added. "Our goal is to go to market with a functioning and mature digital printing machine that delivers on the promises of digital printing for flexible packaging as well."
"We see a need in the flexible packaging market to use digital printing in addition to the established processes. This is driven by the need for faster time-to-market and very short order lengths," W&H CEO Jürgen Vutz said. "However, the application of flexible packaging has very special requirements, for example regarding the adhesion of the ink to the film. As specialists in this market, we bring expert knowledge to offer answers to these challenges. First, by continuously advancing the established processes such as flexo and gravure printing. Second, by opening up the possibilities of digital printing for flexible packaging."
Since 2016, the digital printing team has driven the implementation with a development project involving million-dollar investments.
"We first collected practical requirements, evaluated technologies and tested new approaches. This has resulted in a machine concept that stands out from all existing approaches and provides our customers with added value. We are now implementing this with suitable partners. The new digital machine concept from W&H is characterized by higher quality and higher speeds," said Sven Michael, head of the digital team at W&H.
"High availability and usability in daily use are our top priorities," Vutz added. "Our goal is to go to market with a functioning and mature digital printing machine that delivers on the promises of digital printing for flexible packaging as well."