Komori at Global Package Show 2024: Showcasing Cutting-Edge Technology for the Future of Packaging

From October 16 to 18, 2024, Komori participated in the Global Package Show 2024, held at the Komori Graphic Technology Center (KGC) in the Tsukuba Plant. The event, designed for customers in the packaging and trading card printing industries, attracted 223 visitors from around the world. As the packaging printing field continues to expand, driven by rising consumer demand for innovative, sustainable, and high-quality packaging solutions, companies like Komori are at the forefront of meeting these challenges. The growth in both the packaging and trading card sectors reflects a broader industry trend towards higher productivity, customization, and environmental responsibility.

The trading card market, in particular, is seeing a rapid expansion, fuelled by an increase in card collectors and players. This surge is further driving the demand for more flexible and high-value-added printing solutions.

As consumer needs diversify and the demand for sustainable products rises, Komori is committed to delivering the advanced technologies required to keep pace with these changes. At the event, Komori showcased its latest innovations, combining advanced multicolour presses with Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to help customers achieve the flexibility, productivity, and quality they need in today’s competitive market.

Demonstration 1: Cutting-Edge Trading Card Printing Technology

One of the key demonstrations featured the Lithrone GX40RP advance EX Edition, equipped with a five-colour front and five-colour back configuration, designed specifically for trading card printing. Notably, this machine marked a significant milestone as it was the first to include a coating unit on the RP section, enabling one-pass double-sided varnish coating. The process was powered by the KP-Connect Pro manufacturing execution system (MES), which seamlessly managed job data transfer, plate output, and transport.

In this live demonstration, the character side of the trading cards was printed with four process colours, alongside a special colour and spot coating. The unified pattern side was printed with four process colours and OP varnish, with varnish coating applied to create a pseudo-embossed effect. The RP press demonstrated impressive front-to-back registration accuracy and in-sheet density stability, making it a standout solution for trading card printing that requires high precision and consistent quality.

Demonstration 2: Super-Short Make Ready for Packaging

Another highlight of the show was a demonstration of Lithrone GX40 advance Ex Edition, where two package design jobs were run to showcase the machine's remarkable efficiency with its Super-Short Make Ready feature. This innovation reduces setup times significantly, ensuring swift transitions between jobs and enhancing overall productivity.

The entire printing process—spanning prepress, press, postpress, and logistics—was monitored, visualized, and automated using KP-Connect Pro MES. The Smart Factory concept, presented by KGC, highlighted various automation solutions that integrate seamlessly to drive value-added productivity. These solutions not only boost efficiency but also reflect Komori’s commitment to providing future-proof packaging technologies that elevate operational capabilities

Post-Press Equipment and Mini-Seminars

In addition to the live demonstrations, attendees had the opportunity to explore Komori's postpress equipment, gaining insight into the broader solutions that complement Komori presses. Mini-seminars focused on after-sales service and the KP-Connect system provided valuable knowledge on how to maximize the potential of these cutting-edge technologies. A dedicated printing sample and service corner allowed customers to explore Komori's offerings in greater depth, aligning with their specific interests.

 

A Customer’s Perspective on Komori’s Impact

One of the event’s visitors, Nacho Manero, owner of b2Pack a prominent Spanish packaging printing company, shared his thoughts on the experience:

"The Global Package Show gave us a real insight into how Komori’s innovations are transforming the packaging industry. The level of precision, speed, and automation demonstrated during the event was impressive. Seeing the entire printing process streamlined from start to finish really reinforced our confidence in Komori’s ability to meet the challenges we face in our own operations."

Conclusion: A Commitment to the Future of Packaging

The Global Package Show 2024 served as an invaluable platform for Komori to showcase the latest innovations driving the future of the printing and packaging industries. As a serious and professional leader in the market, Komori continues to push the boundaries of technology, ensuring that our customers receive the highest-quality products and solutions. With a strong commitment to sustainability, flexibility, and value-added productivity, Komori stands as a long-term partner for businesses navigating the ever-evolving packaging landscape.

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