JANUARY 2006

IPEX 2006 PROMISES TO INNOV8 (23.01.06)
As we enter 2006 plans for IPEX in April are hotting up. Show organiser IIR Exhibitions has put some meat on the bones of its plans for what it sees as a pivotal attraction: INNOV8, the aim of which is to spark ideas, provoke creativity and inspire visitors.

INNOV8 is a 200-seat purpose built theatre, located on the show floor adjacent to hall 9. It which will host a daily programme of keynote addresses, briefings, presentations and debates charting the future course of the graphic arts industry, supported by real life examples of creative solutions.

A global steering committee has shaped the content of INNOV8 to ensure that the speaker programme, which includes talks from chiefs at Heidelberg, Kodak, HP and Xerox, delivers inspiration and information. Sessions last a maximum of 45-minutes and are free of charge for visitors. Topics covered during the week will include emerging applications, developments and new technologies, opportunities for businesses, strategy and best practice.

There are sector-specific days: Sunday 9 April focuses primarily on SME's. Also introduced at this years’ show will be product zones for wide-format, MIS, paper, process automation/JDF, pressroom chemicals, mailing and flexible packaging. Product trails and free technical training are also available.

IPEX 2006, which takes place on 4-11 April at the NEC in Birmingham, has a new 11 hall configuration designed to reflect the workflow process (details on the Ipex website) and expects to draw over 74,000 visitors. Around 1200 companies are expected to exhibit, many for the first time.

At the time of going to press 75 per cent of the JDF Pavilion had already been booked, with confirmations including Dalim Software, EFI, Screen, Heidelberg, ePrint Direct, Dr Lauterbach & Partner and Lithotechnics. The 250m2 square pavillion will be in hall 20, and will highlight user solutions for improving production interoperability, productivity and profitability. Visitors will also be able to hear user case study presentations to be held in the theatre area, including CIPPI (CIP4 International Print Production Innovation) award winning case studies.

Pre-register now for free entrance to the show (£30 if you do not) on www.ipex.org

Because of the architecture of the Xeikon press, transfers can be produced in either roll-to-roll or roll-to-sheet form, and the digital technology offered by the print system means that variable data can be incorporated into the transfer design.

Every transfer produced can include unique content, whether that be simply an individual name, or a more complex variation, such as a different picture element.

The process offers both water based and plastisol-based ink solutions, which produce transfers that can withstand high-temperature machine washing and even dry cleaning. The range of adhesives available for the process means that output can be transferred to literally any piece of fabric, including cotton, knitted and woven materials, polyurethane, PVC fabrics and films, rainwear, Spandex and other stretch fabrics, neoprene and polyester. Such a diverse range of materials immediately conjures up a significant amount of potential products that this system can be used to produce.

“This agreement marries up two best-of-breed products, and supports our company strategy of providing unique solutions to all parts of the printing industry,” said Véronique Mathias, chief marketing officer at Punch. “We see significant opportunities for this exciting application, and see it appealing to both existing and to new users of Xeikon products.”

It is anticipated that this technology will form one element of Xeikon’s Ipex presentation.

W: www.punchgraphix.com

Says joint managing director, Clive Richardson, TOTAL PFS: “As the biggest show on our exhibition calendar, Ipex always presents us with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to the market the next step in TOTAL’s evolution. At Ipex 2006, we have our biggest stand yet, and are introducing an exciting range of inkjet C&M products, which we are the exclusive distributors for in the UK.

“We’ve been watching key developments in the inkjet industry for some time, and it’s an extremely exciting and versatile technology. At TOTAL, we are continually looking for new ways to grow our product offering and increase our presence in a variety of markets. In the short time we have had the exclusive distribution agreement for Agor’s products in the UK, we have already seen a huge amount of interest in the AGORJet C&M machine. We are hoping Ipex 2006 will be the next step in introducing this versatile machine to a much wider audience, and help us grow our offering in this dynamic industry in the process,” he said.

The AGORjet, developed by Spanish company Agor S.L., offers a range of high-definition applications for printing fixed and variable text, numbering, logos, labels, customisation, mailing and addressing and more than 76 bar codes. Its robust frame and low-maintenance regime means the AGORjet it is ideally suited to the constant rigors of the industrial printing environment. Using a Windows operating system, the AGORjet supports up to 16 of Xaar’s industry-standard XJ128 printheads. The printer offers speeds of up to 68m/min, with the top-end model printing at 360 dpi.

In addition to the AGORJet industrial printer, other Agor products on the TOTAL stand include the CONTAGOR 470 Rotary System for high production numbering, perforating, scoring and slitting and the CONTAGOR PHS 500 – a multifunctional suction feeder with standard or deep pile suction feeds, micro and standard perforating, scoring, slitting and semi-slitting.

TOTAL will also be showing a range of finishing equipment from German manufacturer, Stago, including the UK debuts of its UH25 four head automatic stapling machine and the recently launched twin-head HM15 stapling machine; the HM6 automatic twin head stapler; a PB5010-4AS four-spindle Power Stroke Drilling machine, the flexible benchtop PB 2015–S2 Machine with adjustable spindles and Stago paper joggers.

Richardson continued, “Stago produces some of the strongest, most reliable finishing equipment in the business. We have held the Stago UK distributorship for a number of years and our customers have been very impressed with the quality and strength of the Stago stapling and drilling products. The engineering in these machines is superb and this is reflected in the success we have had with the Stago products in the UK market.”

In addition, TOTAL will be demonstrating the ZD-2SR wire stitching machine and the FK400S Suction Folding machine from Polish manufacturer, Introma. “Whilst Introma are relatively new to the UK market, they have a good international reputation. Again, these are very robust and cost-competitive machines, suited to high-pressure commercial print and finishing houses.”

However, for Richardson, it’s about more than just offering a range of great products. “It’s critical for all companies, and especially those in the reseller/distribution market, to move to a customer service model that is based on strong, personal service. This is a key differentiator for us in the marketplace and something we continually refine to ensure we are offering all customers the best possible service we can. At Ipex, we invite visitors to come onto the TOTAL stand where we can demonstrate not just a great range of products, but our service and support solutions as well.”

Richardson concluded, “We’re looking forward to a successful Ipex 2006. We’ve been in the finishing business and the graphic arts industry for well over twenty years and know that shows like Ipex are a good barometer of how the industry is doing. From our experience out there in the market, there’s a general sense that 2006 is going to be a good year for the industry and Ipex is a great way to start it off!”

Xralle’s principle components are a front-end web-based customer interface and a back-end administration module linked to a digital printing engine. This front end interface enables the printer’s customer or print management company to quickly create jobs, update template data and order work from the printers digital production facility via the Xralle server which produces print ready PDF’s and XML files. The system can also be integrated with online asset digital management systems allowing access to logos, special fonts and image files in addition to web-based publishing software to enhance online document editing and creation.

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