Bobst has introduced a series of significant upgrades and new options to its Novafold folder-gluer line, reinforcing the machine’s position as an efficient and reliable solution for today’s packaging converters.
With these newly announced enhancements, Novafold opens up access to smarter automation, increased speeds, and greater flexibility, perfectly suited to the diverse demands of today’s packaging industry.
Designed for 24 x 7 production of straight-line, crash-lock and 4- and 6-corner boxes, the Novafold 50, 80 and 110 models now offer greater speed and control. Belt speed has been increased from 300 to 350 metres per minute, while the backfolding capacity has been supercharged to 22,000 boxes per hour.
The machine also benefits from an extended folding section, expanding from 2,300 mm to 3,000 mm. This allows for a more controlled, slower folding process, particularly advantageous when processing larger formats or sensitive substrates, leading to improved folding quality and reduced waste.
In line with Bobst’s commitment to smart automation and user empowerment, the upgraded Novafold can also be equipped with the Sphere machine interface. This system enables digital memorization of job settings, guiding operators with precise positioning instructions via digital indicators. Operators can save and recall entire job settings with minimal intervention, reducing downtime and enhancing consistency across repeat runs.
This enhanced setup is further supported by digital job and recipe management, enabling job parameters to be created in the back office and sent directly to the Novafold via the Sphere interface. Once received, the system provides operators with a clear list of upcoming jobs, removing the need to manually input or consult job plans. This enables proactive and precise job preparation, faster setups, and consistent quality across shifts and operator changes.
The Novafold line also continues to support the 100% quality. Accueject, already available, ensures defective boxes are automatically ejected at full production speed, maintaining consistent output quality.
Additionally, the feeder ramp upgrade introduces pneumatic locking for easier lateral adjustments, improving ergonomics and reducing manual setup time.
These upgrades reflect Bobst’s ongoing investment in evolving its technologies to meet customer needs. Whether the goal is to improve efficiency, simplify operations, or increase converting capabilities, the updated Novafold delivers a modern, intelligent folder-gluer platform that grows with a business.
“With these upgrades, we’re giving converters a smarter, faster Novafold – one that’s even more in tune with real-world production demands,” said Pierre Binggeli, Head of Product Line Folder-gluers at Bobst. “We’ve focused on increasing speed, enhancing folding quality, and making it easier for operators to set up and switch jobs. It’s a big step forward in performance for what was already a highly reliable platform.”
The Novafold range is backed by the Bobst global service network, and is integration-ready with Bobst Connect, offering performance visibility and data-driven decision making.
