Press Release - schneller leupold

Press Release
Canon installs world’s first Océ InfiniStream at
German packaging printer
Poing, Germany, 3 October 2013 – Canon, a world leader in imaging solutions, has
installed its first liquid-toner based InfiniStream Technology at packaging printer Joh.
Leupold GmbH, based in Schwabach, Germany. Complementing Leupold’s existing
fleet of high-end offset printing presses, the InfiniStream will provide digital short- to
medium-length production runs of folding cartons for Leupold’s customers, who
consist of global brand owners and local German brands.
Using technology as a competitive advantage, Leupold offers a complete range of
services for folding cartons, point of sale displays and presentation boxes. Founded in
1890, the company has developed into an international organisation with a turnover of
more than EUR 30 million and a workforce of around 110 employees. With
innovation a key principle of the business, Leupold is the first customer in the world
to install this ground-breaking digital technology as part of Canon’s ‘Proof-ofconcept’ commercial printing customer programme.
Within the framework of this programme, Canon is working with forward-thinking
packaging printers worldwide to continuously test the InfiniStream platform under
real-time conditions in advance of full commercial availability.
The Océ InfiniStream Technology offers productivity at offset level coupled with
minimum set-up times and a unique capability to individually modify contents and
artwork, thus paving the way for real mass packaging customization with the shortest
possible time to market. It combines the advantages of offset printing with the many
benefits of digital printing, delivering unrivalled time, cost and value improvements
in folding carton production. The Océ InfiniStream is the ideal solution to the
increasing demands in the packaging value chain for shorter run lengths, waste and
cost reduction and reduced turnaround times for faster campaign execution.
Using state-of-the-art technology to meet customer requirements has always been the
strategy for Leupold. Bernd Assmann, Managing Director of Leupold, states:
“During discussions with brand owners, it became evident that trends such as
declining run lengths and increasing use of versioned products will become major
challenges in the packaging value chain. Brand owners are requesting shorter turnaround times and faster campaign execution, as well as waste and cost reduction.”
“We have carefully analyzed the market so that we can ideally address these
requirements. It was clear that the InfiniStream technology is the way forward as the
answer to major trends in the packaging market. That is why we are taking advantage
of a completely new press category - the fastest in the industry - in digital folding
carton production.”
Océ InfiniStream is based on an electro-photographic liquid toner technology that
matches offset in relation to productivity, print quality and substrate versatility. With
its roll-fed, modular print tower architecture, customers can select from four to seven
colours, depending on requirements. Running at up to 120 metres per minute (394
feet per minute), it can produce output of up to 14,400 B2-sized (50 x 70 cm) or 7,200
B1-sized (70 x 100 cm) sheets per hour on a 28 inch-wide web.
Even larger formats are possible in the printing direction, significantly exceeding the
productivity and format flexibility of current digital presses for cardboard production.
Compared with offset and depending on the specific job parameters, InfiniStream will
deliver a cost advantage for run lengths up to 3,000 to 4,000 B1 sheets. Through an
offset-like image transfer with a rubber-coated transfer cylinder, InfiniStream handles
standard offset cardboard substrates up to a thickness of 600 microns.
Christian Unterberger, Executive Vice President for Commercial Printing at Océ,
says: “Canon is and has been the world market leader for many years with its dry
toner and inkjet continuous feed presses in monochrome and colour. With the unique
InfiniStream technology, Canon will extend its leadership into a new market, the
digitally printed packaging market. To that end, we are proud to announce the first
installation of InfiniStream Technology at our customer, Joh. Leupold GmbH & Co
KG.”
As a ‘Proof-of-concept’ customer, Leupold has been involved in the development
process from the start and Canon will continue to work closely with the company to
prove and fine-tune the technology in the challenging market environment in order to
ensure an optimum market fit.
-ENDS-