Duplo attracted continual interest with a demonstration that focused on existing new and concept products in a section of its Drupa stand dedicated to new revenue streams.
The existing product was the DDC8000 B2 embellishment unit able to add foil and varnish effects. At the sow it has gained the ability to apply the effects on uncoated papers by the expediency of applying a primer to seal the paper to prevent the jetted primer soaking into the paper.
The new product was the DSM1000 die cutting system and the concept was a folder gluer for ultra short runs that should be refined into a commercial product by the end of the year.
The die cutter is a conventional flatbed system, though limited in format and using the universal die format. Since its introduction as a prototype machine almost two years ago, Duplo has added stripping and waste extraction without increasing what is a very compact footprint.
The system has been designed for quick loading and makeready in around three minutes. The equipment was put through its paces on both a simple box and a pocket folder, producing 40 of one and five of the other in around seven minutes.
The concept machine, described by Duplo as a technology demonstration, was a fully automated folder gluer. A camera in the feed picks up the code that links to job information. This activates bars which lift in the appropriate places to implement the fold and then to apply the glue.
It is not fast, but nor is it designed for anything more than the shortest of run lengths. “Our target is very short run jobs of different sized boxes with a high degree of automaton. We are getting a lot of interest from different countries,” says marketing and product manager Yumi Yoneda.
The feedback will be assessed and used to refine the machine ahead of a launch later next year.
This was not the only concept machine on show. The PFI Blade Pro was also shown as a technology demonstration. This is a fully automated cutting table with cutting tools to cope with 15mm acrylic of 50mm Foamex boards. The distinguishing feature, however, is its size. The Blade Pro is designed for B1 sheets, the first time Duplo International has handled a product of this format.
More conventional product launches, which had been flagged in advance, included the iSaddle Senshi which with the target or replacing old Stitchmasters or Muller Martinis is another indication of Duplo’s shift into the mainstream of commercial printing.
It is not an all in move. At the start of the show, Duplo announced the acquisition of Swiss manufacturer Multigraf. This brings a range of creasers and small booklet makers into the Duplo portfolio. Duplo International has distributed Multigraf products for 40 years so there is experience and trust from both sides.
The Multigraf brand will remain, says Yoneda. “the development teams, Each of us has unique strengths and we will be looking to see how we can go forwards.”
