German equipment manufacturer Hinterkopf will be unveiling a new DX line of digital printers at a trade show this week, highlighting improvements in changeover times.
The machine opens up new possibilities for packaging manufacturers of aluminium and tinplate cans, “offering them maximum flexibility in terms of packaging format and size, as well as production speed”, according to a spokesperson.
The DX is designed to optimise format changeovers. “To make products more attractive for sale, the design and size of packaging are changing more frequently today than before,” said managing director Alexander Hinterkopf. “Seasonal editions or those tailored to specific events are now common – some of which are only in stores for a few weeks.”
He said the digital DX printer turns out “consistently high quality” cans, reducing waste, and added it offers efficiencies “especially for short runs”.
The company solved the problem of format changes and associated tooling costs by installing all print heads, and using them all “simultaneously during the printing process”. This means the printing unit can be used flexibly for the required format, according to the company.
“We solved this problem with the DX,” said Hinterkopf, adding that the system “prevents individual print heads from drying out and the decoration from losing quality”.
The user interface has also been redesigned to enable faster communication when checking the quality of print templates. “DX users should be able to communicate more directly with their customers”, said Hinterkopf, who added that the changes would enable operators to get “immediate feedback”.
The DX4 will be on show at the K trade fair in Düsseldorf from 8-15 October.
