Komori has announced its support and participation as a Gold Partner in the virtual.drupa event, 20-23 April 2021. drupa, the largest trade fair for the printing industry, has shifted to a new exciting online format instead of the real event because of the ongoing pandemic in 2020.
Komori Concept – Connected Automation
Drastic changes in the social and economic environment in recent years have demanded similar transformations in the printing industry. In particular, the degree to which productivity can be raised and profits generated has become a critical issue for printing companies. To solve this problem, innovation through DX – Digital Transformation of the entire production process is the key.
Connected Automation is Komori’s approach to seamlessly connecting individual processes to create smart printing factories. The central software, KP-Connect Pro integrates and manages management information systems (MIS), prepress, press, postpress, which are divided among individual systems. With more and more customers adopting Connected Automation, both in Japan and overseas, the digital transformation (DX) of printing companies is already underway.
KP-Connect Pro is an open platform system that allows customers to connect to various manufacturers and vendors. In other words, customers can freely combine not only existing but also new devices.
Exhibit details
Conference area
Visitors can experience a range of products commencing with Lithrone advance series that provide high ROI based on the automation technology that maximizes productivity in the online session format. The company will also present the ‘Connected Automation’ concept that brings automation to the pressroom, during two sessions on commercial printing and package printing. In particular, take notice of the core solution for the smart factory, the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) KP-Connect Pro; Lithrone GX/G Advance; and the 40-inch digital printing system Impremia NS40 that has advanced features and now available in seven colors. Each of these sessions are condensed 30-minute format..
Commercial session
22 April at 8:40 – (UTC: +1): The highlights are the high-speed stable operation of light stock by the advanced model and the ‘touchless’ automation technology. Komori introduces three technologies here. First, the automation by KP-Connect Pro through press automation that links Komori machines and postpress automation that links Apressia CTX132 and MBO K80.
Second, Parallel Makeready technology that reduces makeready time. The Asynchronous Automatic Plate Changing System (A-APC), blanket washing, and pre-inking are performed in parallel and allow for quick start-up.
Third, real-time concentration and register adjustment by in-line quality inspection system, and autopilot that self-judges print quality. These enable the shortest and touchless production possible. Productivity and operability has been drastically improved through automatic operation that removes the need for hands-on intervention from operators, and through use of presets for high-level automation of job changeovers.
Packaging session
20 April at 8:40 – (UTC: +1): The highlights are new technologies that pursue the reduction of makeready time for package printing. Changing colors for special color inks is a major source of production bottlenecks when printing packages. To solve this problem, Komori proposes two solutions:
First is Parallel Makeready for package printing. Ink roller washing can be performed simultaneously in addition to plate change and blanket washing. Second is the Smart Color technology developed by Komori. The solution is capable of covering a wide color gamut without changing ink. Reproducing colors requires a high level of dot reproduction accuracy. In other words, Smart Color is only made possible through the Komorimatic dampening system, which minimizes as much water as possible from ink without allowing it to emulsify. Smart Color will be an innovation that helps package printing by eliminating color changing.
