Looking for the latest award winning technologies? Here are the 2023 EDP Award Winners announced at FESPA

Seventeen awards in total were presented on 24 May 2023 in the EDP Awards,  in the categories of Software, Printing Systems (Large Format and Commercial Printing), Finishing, Measurement & Calibration, Robotics and Consumables.The submissions featured more sustainability benefits than previous editions, with connectivity and automation being the leading themes across suppliers.

SOFTWARE

Workflow solutions:

Durst Workflow

The Durst browser-based workflow solution is a significant step forward for printers and converters willing to integrate all prepress steps in an automated manner. From the PDF to the print-ready file with all the elements necessary, incl. VDP. The breakthrough is that it also works for non-Durst printers. The integration with MIS / ERP systems is integrated with API.

MIS/ERP systems:

Dataline MultiPress CO2 Calculator

Sustainability is a significant pain point for the graphic industry. The data line MultiPress, a CO2 Calculator solution, meets the demand of an increasing number of clients interested in making their operations more sustainable, indicating the carbon footprint of print of a given order in advance. The MultiPress is the only print ERP/MIS software that combines European regulations and guidelines with accurate calculations at a quotation and order level, no matter the volume, application, substrate or production technique used. It also helps printers and converters assess their carbon footprint.

PRINTING SYSTEMS

Large/Wide Format Printing

Roll-to-Roll Printers < 170 cm

Canon Colorado M

The Canon Colorado Unique UVgel technology M-Series printer combines excellent quality, high productivity and extensive versatility. This second generation of UV-gel offers more possibilities.

With an optional white ink. It also accepts a wide range of substrates - some of which cannot be managed by other roll-to-roll printers. The Canon Colorado also makes one step forward with new business models and low running costs. This is a truly flexible solution ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Roll-to-Roll Printers < 350 cm

Durst P5 350 HS

The Durst P5 350 HS is the hybrid solution of excellence. Designed for roll and board printing up to

3.5 m, it reaches productivity of up to 650 sqm/h. All you can expect from Durst: fast media change, easy maintenance handling and full safety render the printing process, incl. the Durst Print Workflow software and the monitoring tool.

Flatbed/Hybrid Printers > 250 sqm/h

swissQprint Kudu

The swissQprint Kudu flatbed printer with ten colours is the most advanced large format printer in the market today. A fully automated feed and maintenance system for white is also available. It provides printer service providers with freedom in composing colour palettes. In addition, it delivers output up to 304 m² per hour - a very reasonable performance. In short, the printer does address a very mature market where versatility, driven by new applications and substrates, is critical.

Textile Printers Roll-to-Roll > 100 m²/h

Aleph Laforte 340 Fabric

Aleph’s Laforte 340 Fabric has been designed to address the specific needs of the home textiles market segment, addressing applications such as curtains, drapery, upholstery and wallpaper. This direct-to-textile inkjet printing solution enables superior print quality and high speed (up to 570 sqm/h) with high fastness and water-based inks. In addition, it provides excellent economics. The printer benefits from the Aleph sustainability commitment to reduce water and energy use. The print engine is very robust, based on the flagship model Laforte 600, and it can help textile print service providers to address new business opportunities.

PRINTING SYSTEMS

Commercial Printing

Label Printers > 321 mm web width

Bobst Digital Master 510

The Digital Master 510 mm offers the most complete feature set for label production. It set the bar high with modularity and upgradability, combining digital and flexo printing units. In addition, it offers embellishment and finishing. The integrated AccuCheck system for calibration and quality control is unique in controlling each label—the level of automation covers any operator gaps, and the upgradability protects the converter's investments. The print width enables high label production productivity and very large label/stickers production.

Combined label and flexible packaging printers

Sapphire EVO W with Kodak Ultrastream

In flexible packaging, the Uteco Sapphire EVO W in 1260 mm print width opens a new dimension to flexible packaging short and medium runs production; its configuration, with Kodak Ultra- stream Continuous Water based Inks, respects the environment. Plastic films, Aluminum, Paper, and Cardboard, can be processed for food, liquid, health care and industrial applications. This machine contributes to the digitalisation of packaging production.

INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS

Flexible Packaging Solutions

Bobst One complete solution

The "One complete solution" creates a perfect flexible packaging workflow. The solution is, for the first time encompassing all the partners required, from substrates to lamination and converting. It is the first time to see such a collaboration reaching very high productivity levels using CI Flexo technology. Machine, tools, pre-press and service are integrated. The one barrier element reducing the environmental issues is integrated, helping to offer sustainable, recycle-ready packaging with excellent barrier properties. From a technical point of view, the solutions can be very productive, addressing all kinds of job lengths with sound economics. In short, if well-produced, flexible packaging has a future.

Glass/Ceramics Production

swissQprint Glass Option

The swissQprint full-bleed printing option for pre-cut glass panels opens new business opportunities. Accurate registration for multiple productions and protective paper saves the user from cleaning the print bed. swissQprint flatbed printers can be equipped with this option, including the specially developed inks that adhere directly to glass - no primer needed: this solution enables new applications while protecting existing investments.

FINISHING

Wide format cutting solution

Fotoba XLA170

The Fotoba XLA170 offers automation, helping to increase productivity and reduce labour costs in wide-format cutting. This system is a step forward in automating the workflow. The barcode reader technology is not new, but its application in wide-format cutting is very pragmatic.

Combined with six double rotary slitters, it enables good productivity. Last, it can be connected to most of the large format printers in the market.

Cutsheet Finishing Solution Inline

Tecnau BookReady

The Technau BookReady solution is an entirely automated system for short-run and book-on-demand production inline to sheetfed digital printers. The complete automation moves towards "dark factories" from industry 4.0,  predicted to prevail as of 2030 – book production is each day, advancing with more automation and fewer errors. This module is suited to integration with the recently announced new inkjet presses.

Digital Finishing

Zünd Q-Line with BHS 180

In digital finishing, the extraordinary modularity of the new Zünd cutter is unique. It adapts to new requirements with modifications and upgrades. The Zünd’s modular design concept lets you put together tailor-made cutting solutions and protects your investments. The cutting platform was completely redesigned with updated tool holders. The linear motor drive ensures even higher accuracy. Together with the double bridge and updated software control, it provides higher processing speed.

Finishing support tools

KAMA CPX 106

The KAMA CPX 106 professional cliché positioning system sheet format is now available for the popular B1 format. It speeds up all types of positioning tasks, enabling up to a 90% reduction in set-up time. This is a major innovation for an industry required to grow automation and reduce machine setup time.

MEASUREMENT & CALIBRATION AND ROBOTICS

Measurement and Calibration

Bobst AccuCheck

Calibration and quality control is a major topic for the labels & packaging industry. The newly launched Bobst AccuCheck solution for labels reset expectations for label converters checking all labels at 100 m/min. It is built on the proven folding carton solution checking a large range of qua- lity defects at up to 350 m/min The technology is also used for a perfect calibration of the inkjet printing process without human intervention. Such technologies, not only enable better products, but as well reduce waste.

Robotics

Durst P5 Robotics

Durst Robotics drives the graphic industry towards the industry 4.0 vision. It turns printing into a continuous process thanks to the use of robots on both the loading and unloading side, even when several plates are loaded side by side. It is no longer necessary to start the next print job only after a complete row of plates has been loaded. The software allows each image to be started in- dividually so that the same robot can insert plate by plate without losing print time.

CONSUMABLES

Textile Inks

Kornit Presto MAX

The new white inks designed for the Kornit Presto MAX are suitable for personalization of fashion items, home decor and other textile applications. White printing on color fabrics, enabling new applications and more creativity demonstrate that digital continue to gain traction in textile printing. From a sustainability standpoint, the more digital printing the better.