Canon at FESPA 2018 shows fully robotised flatbed print-and-cut solution for automation of high volume graphics production

At FESPA 2018, Canon demonstrated how innovation in process automation can radically increase productivity, extend production capacity and enhance profitability for graphics producers.

A highlight of the Canon stand was a completely robotised print-and-cut workflow linking the Océ Arizona 6170 XTS flatbed printer with the Océ ProCut cutting table in a seamless, unattended process.

Commenting during FESPA 2018, Shadi Bakhour, Business Unit Director, B2B, Canon Middle East said: “Showcasing a fully robotised solution in the printing industry marks a very important milestone for Canon. Robotisation has already been very prominent across industries to increase efficiency and minimize error, however this is the first-time we are showcasing such a possibility in the printing industry. This only goes to show that we as industry leaders are always working towards finding the most innovative solutions for our customers to increase productivity for maximum revenue growth.”

The solution on display at FESPA 2018 reflected a real Canon customer implementation at Van Vliet Printing in The Netherlands, where robotisation has enabled 24/7 unattended operation of the Océ Arizona and Océ ProCut systems, significantly extending the production capacity of the business, without the need for multiple operator shifts.

The system, integrated by Canon’s partner and robotisation specialist Rolan Robotics, picks unprinted media from a pallet adjacent to the Océ Arizona flatbed printer and places it in a registration and turning station which registers the media both horizontally and vertically. The robot subsequently withdraws the media and places it with accurate registration on the empty flatbed for printing. The Océ Arizona then automatically receives a machine command to begin printing. If the substrate is to be printed on both sides, the robot returns the media to the turning station and then re-places it on the flatbed to print the second surface. An intelligent software interface, developed by Rolan Robotics, enables the different devices to sync together, allowing for completely automated commands between the Rolan robot and Océ Arizona printer.

When printing is finished, the robot transfers the printed media to the Océ ProCut cutting table. The Océ ProCut software processes the finishing instructions and sends a command to the cutter, without the need for operator intervention. After cutting, creasing or kiss cutting, the robot can either take all materials from the cutter or, alternatively, lift the finished product(s) from the cutter and transport waste to a container for disposal or recycling. The workflow can also identify repetitive jobs, removing the need for job identification and registration for each individual job. This enables the cutting solution to start cutting automatically as soon as the media is placed on the cutting table.

At FESPA 2018, the system demonstrated printing and cutting a variety of display graphics and packaging applications.

The robot has the technical capability to handle an extensive range of materials typically printed on the Océ Arizona flatbed series, including MDF, foam board, aluminium composite, and acrylic, as well as challenging rigid substrates such as wood and glass.

For customers producing substantial volumes of applications, a robotised solution can offer a cost-effective means of escalating and streamlining production. It enables the specialist skills of operators to be deployed in other areas of the business, creating further value and delivering rapid and measurable return on investment.

Visitors to the Canon stand at FESPA also had the opportunity see a second flatbed printer, the Océ Arizona 1280 GT, producing a range of elevated printing applications using the newly launched Océ Touchstone solution, which had its public debut at the event (see separate Océ Touchstone launch press release). 

The Océ Touchstone applications being produced live during FESPA 2018 included embossed packaging, interior décor items such as imitation wood and decorated tiles, and signage featuring raised lettering to add visual impact as well as for practical requirements such as braille.