When Heidelberg’s director of sales and technology David Schmedding declared that the combined Heidelberg Gallus stand at Labelexpo was the “the new hot spot” at the show he might have been referring to the soaring temperature inside a hall where the air conditioning had failed or to the trio of new machines announced in Barcelona.
Dario Urbinati, Gallus managing director, followed up promising that the announcements would “redefine the industry”. This remains to be seen and will depend on the sales success of a modular approach to specifying a label press that combines flexo and inkjet units, inline embellishment and finishing. “It’s a Lego style way to put a press together,” he says.
This press is the Gallus 5 which has at its heart an inkjet array capable of printing at 100m/min, of hitting 95% of PMS colours, including the 32 most frequently used spot colours, semi rotary die cutting and using LED UV diodes to reduce energy demand. Among the options is a choice of 340 or 430mm web width.
The idea is to open digital print to all label converters, the company’s analysis having shown that 80% of all label jobs are less than 10,000 metres in length. The Gallus 5 has been developed to hit this sweet spot in line with trends towards just in time printing and zero stock holding, both favouring a digital first print approach.
The first digital approach is covered by the announcement of the Gallus Alpha, designed as a roll to roll entry level machine using Epson printheads and attacking a part of the market that others have also identified as under served.
This machine was unveiled with its final designed still to be completed, hence the dazzle design used when manufacturers take new models on road tests. “This is a good way into digital printing,” says Urbinati, “and into smart connected printing and to ensure that no business is left behind.”
The machine is designed for rapid installation and with just a three month time between order and delivery. First deliveries of the Gallus Alpha are expected to start in the new year. Turnaround time for the Gallus 5 will be closer to six months.
The third announcement from the company is the establishment of the Gallus Print Academy, a dedicated initiative in which trainers will carry out on site training in order to cut travel costs for customers and also minimise time away from production.
