Hunkeler innovationdays 2023 – next level automation

It was good to be at the Hunkeler innovationdays 2023 again, with next level automation as its motto. This certainly held true. 50 print application lines were shown live with many in-line or highly integration solutions.

Hunkeler launched several interesting new pieces of equipment like a B2 cut-sheet finisher moving into a new level of productivity. In the traditional web finishing space a high volume, yet variable book block production line (the Starbook) with added Book Sorting Module was presented. Adding to flexibility and automation was a new autosplicer for fast and easy roll change – either in front of a press or for near-line web finishing lines.

The innovationdays are always a great opportunity to showcase new printers as well. Canon introduced a revamped ProStream. On the spec sheet the improvements are mainly in substrate handling for heavier papers but the improvements in set-up, energy consumption, print quality and footprint will be important for many users. Equally the first European showing of the HP PageWide Advantage 2200 brought limited changes on the spec sheet (a faster high quality print speed of 152 m/min) but lots of interesting features in automation, an impressively small footprint and innovative engine design. Being the first big event for high-speed digital print for years the 2023 innovationdays saw the first live presentations of the Kodak Prosper Ultra 520, the Ricoh Pro VC 70000e, RISO Valezus 2200 and the Xeikon Sirius SX30000. Screen showed the TruePress PAC520P for paper-based flexible packaging – not a core application for the Hunkeler innovationdays, but nevertheless a very interesting product.

A full article on press launches has already been published at Inkjet Insight. More insight on cut-sheet and web finishing will follow in a WhatTheyThink.com article, while a deep-dive on auto-splicers for digital web presses will follow in April.

Yet, first and foremost the innovationdays are a place to meet and talk to other people. Thanks for all the conversations I had – they offered me incredible insights. And it was great fun to catch up with so many people again. The live trade show is back again!

For me it was the 10th visit at a Hunkeler innovationdays with my first visit dating back 2003. The Hunkeler innovationdays 2023 confirmed the ongoing importance of live trade shows with at least as many visitors as before the pandemic. The “next level automation” for print production will mean less human staffing on the production floor. However, the event also confirmed that human interaction is what keeps our industry alive by exchanging ideas, getting information and giving feedback.

Hunkeler innovationdays bringing more inkjet

Finally, the Hunkeler innovationdays are back, not only bringing more inkjet devices, but also a lot of technology around the presses – of course with finishing being very prominent. If you have not been to the Hunkeler innovationdays: it is the event to get the best possible overview on continuous feed production presses. Not only will all important vendors for digital commercial, publishing and document printing presses be there, the event also allows seeing the latest presses printing side-by-side.

Interior Décor printing with HP

Today, the 14th of Jan, HP held a webinar on interior décor printing. I hoped to learn more about the market in general and HPs printing options for the different types of applications and maybe even some hot news. The webinar remained more general however, presenting designers, printers and futurists – and less of my beloved stats and technology.

Nevertheless, there were a few important things that stuck.

  • Covid offers new surfaces too print on
  • Home office means home improvement
  • Ease of use is important
  • Think international

I would like to give a little bit more detail on each of the points:

Blogs at Inkjet Insight

2019 has been a busy year and thanks for following my blogs on this website or on LinkedIn. Especially my blog comparing the technology line-up of HP and Xerox garnered quite some interest. But there is more: my blogs at Inkjet Insight.

Inkjet Insight

Shortly after becoming a freelancer I decided to become a regular contributor to Inkjet Insight, having seen as an industry analyst that inkjet is the most dynamic printing technology in production printing. Accordingly it is the technology which requires the most explanations and insight, not just from the suppliers but from an independent community.

Inkjet Insight is a web community that provides valuable tools and resources to help companies objectively evaluate the potential of inkjet for their business, optimize their operations and grow their businesses using production inkjet. It includes articles on in an extensive knowledge base. A product finder makes it easy to navigate the papers, printers, finishing and software available for inkjet printing. We strive to provide an unbiased listing of all options available. Access for most content is for free, but obviously we welcome if you become a member for full access to all details.

If you are a supplier and not listed yet with your offerings for inkjet, please let us know.

More blogs and articles

The full list of my blogs at Inkjet Insight can be found here. The most recent addition is a look at the Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000c. A short series of articles on inkjet printing in Europe has been started as well, with articles on transaction print and direct mail using inkjet published so far. The series will be continued in 2020, with a view on book printing with inkjet. A look at specialty applications and cut-sheet inkjet in Europe will be following later in 2020.

There will be a lot more exclusive coverage for inkjet insight this year on pre-drupa and drupa product launches. Stay tuned and get unbiased information on what is new.

Xerox and HP – Comparing Technologies & Synergies

A lot has been talked about Xerox’ intent to buy HP and the stock value created. But I have not seen reports comparing the technologies and device line-up and whether there are synergies to be found. However, this is the area that interests users and employees most. Let’s have a quick comparison by the main segments (and I know this could be 30 page report even without considering the PC business, but let’s keep it simple here) on where both companies stand.