VIRTUAL.DRUPA HIGHLIGHTS
Kurz builds on the ‘nature of attraction’ Kurz creates a unique attraction for all of its products in a sustainable way at virtual.drupa
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urz has showcased a range of new solutions at the recent virtual.drupa tradeshow, providing a closer look into some of its latest technologies. Within the digital transfer space, Kurz has launched a new Steinemann DM-Maxliner press. The technology follows Kurz’s acquisition of the print finishing division of Switzerland-based Steinemann Technology in July 2019. The Steinemann DM-Maxliner press is a digital finishing machine that produces 7000 sheets per hour. It handles sheet sizes up to B1+, has high speed digital printing at 600dpi and can embellish with metalised transfer coatings and varnish with high-build for tactile effects in a single pass. Because it is a digital process, the make ready between jobs takes only moments and saleable sheets come from the very first sheet. “It runs superb definitions and printing quality, which is required in the industry. It simultaneously does the metal effect and spot varnishing – it’s all done in the first run. We can also ramp up this machine for a new job, including rendering, within minutes,” Kurz business area senior vice-president of industrial and application Markus Hoffmann said. Kurz Australia managing director Stephen Pratt said the press is a “game changer” for large sheetfed printers in Australia. “For example, they could print magazine covers, then with the DM-Maxliner they can varnish, spot or full and include metalised foil fully in register at up to 75m/min in a single pass. The machine can foil fine line detail and large coverage areas on the same sheet. This all reduces time to market, keeps work in-house and allows for mass customisation all completed inline in a single pass,” he said. The company has also launched an extension for narrow-web printing lines – the DM-Jetliner which allows for the transfer of metallisation effects onto paper and label materials to create vibrant labels at up to 80m/min during digital printing. It is a solution targeted at customers wishing to embellish digital labels inline with solutions available for integration with HP Indigo 8000 digital press, for mounting on a bar for a flexo press or stand alone. According to Pratt, it offers, high speed, unmatached quality and reliability, and Kurz’s once-per-month pay-per-stamp business model is easily recognisable and accepted by those in digital print. Within the cold transfer space, it has taken the wraps off the KPS SX+, an inline technology that can be easily integrated into offset sheetfed printing or in narrow-web flexo printing. The KPS SX+ has enhanced capabilities to offer improved super high gloss, more defined details and better coverage. It also enables reduced press downtime and has one of the widest working windows in the industry. Hoffmann said the SX+ is designed to replace all existing products Kurz has in the cold transfer space. As for the hot stamping sector, Kurz has developed a new allin-one foil, the Luxor/Alufin MSU, which has the flexibility to be used to metallise rough surfaces, coated surfaces, OPP laminated surfaces, and UV coated surfaces.
26 | AUSTRALIAN PRINTER MAY 2021
The launch of the Steinemann DM-Maxliner press follows Kurz’s acquisition of the print finishing division of Steinemann Technology
A design printed on the Steinemann DM-Maxliner press, showcasing the details that the machine is capable of
Kurz has also branched out within the workflow solutions sector, which the company identified as a new area of opportunity, with the launch of Dreamcomposer. It is a software for brand owners and designers, showing users what the quality of the finished solutions will look like under different angles, on different packaging options and under different lighting conditions. “It offers templates to fast track common designs and when the design is complete, you can email a link of the image to the customer. If changes are required, these can be done immediately, with changes reflected on both screens simultaneously. It takes packaging design and embellishment to a new level,” Pratt said. Hoffmann also spoke about the company’s sustainability initiatives, saying that it has introduced PET recycling technology which is in beta testing. “All of the parameters around recycling, de-inking, and composting are not limited by our finish. However, there is leftover PET film which we’ve started taking to recollectors to turn it into first-grade plastic moulded material.” Pratt said, “This solution has been rolled out in Germany where it is working successfully. We are extremely interested in obtaining the solution in Australia but other markets like the US, France and UK will likely see the rollout first.”
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