At Labelexpo Europe 2023, which took place from 11 to 14 September, Durst Group unveiled full details of a new innovative technology that utilizes computer vision and artificial intelligence to elevate the production of high-quality labels to unprecedented levels. During the event held in Brussels, the pioneering manufacturer of digital printing and production technologies showcased the Durst Hawk Eye system. This system is specifically designed to assist operators and automate print quality, with the added benefits of significantly reducing setup time and waste. These enhancements result in heightened efficiency and a more competitive total cost of ownership for the Tau RSC platform printers.
The Durst Hawk Eye system consists of a scanner system, a workstation, and a touchscreen monitor. It adeptly rectifies printing errors, such as missing nozzles, in real-time and in-line. In the rare occurrence of a malfunctioning printhead nozzle, the built-in artificial intelligence system swiftly detects and pinpoints the issue without any reduction in printing speed. Adjacent nozzles then compensate by producing larger drops to maintain exceptional print quality. No setup is required from the operators, eliminating the need for special test patterns.
Durst also made significant announcements at Labelexpo regarding ink advancements. They are expanding the Tau RSC ink portfolio with the introduction of the Tau RSC LED inks. This new ink set, available in CMYK with optional orange, violet, green, and white, enhances the appeal of the Tau RSC press portfolio. It achieves this by substantially reducing energy consumption during operation and eliminating frequent UV bulb and reflector changes, making the overall total cost of ownership for the Tau RSC presses even more attractive.
The new Tau RSC LED ink combines the exceptional print quality and performance of the existing Tau RSC UV ink while aligning with Durst Group’s commitment to a more sustainable printing industry. It offers reduced energy consumption, lower consumable costs, and reduced maintenance time, resulting in economic advantages for customers and a reduced environmental footprint. These vivid inks enable precise reproduction of essential brand colors and expand the color gamut significantly.
Durst has also introduced the new Tau RSC UV Ink 3, which is a high-speed UV ink formulation that does not require TPO photoinitiator.
Durst’s software label ecosystem takes center stage on its stand. Tau printers come equipped with Durst Workflow Label, pre-press, and production software, as well as Durst Analytics, a monitoring and analytics tool, that transforms the printer into a production unit from day one. All Durst software solutions are modular and easily managed through a user-friendly web-based interface. Additionally, a browser-based Variable Data Printing (VDP) editor for creating and managing variable data is available within the workflow.
During the show, Durst Group also showcased live demonstrations of the Tau 510 RSCi single-pass press, featuring new automation features. The press on display includes the powerful double white feature, enabling exceptional opacity white ink printing at a remarkable speed of 80 meters per minute.
“Our team of experts are on hand at Labelexpo to provide personalised demonstrations, answer questions and discuss how our solutions can revolutionize customers’ printing operations,” said Martin Leitner, product manager of Durst Group. “The Durst Hawk Eye is a game-changer for the digital printing industry. This technology will greatly increase productivity and efficiency, but, more importantly, it will reduce waste and the carbon footprint of our customers. We are thrilled to introduce this innovative solution to the market and provide exclusive information during Labelexpo.”
