At Labelexpo Europe, visitors were able to see the Digicon 3000 running alongside the HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press for the very first time in the HP Hall, with both Edale and AB Graphic greeted with positive feedback exceeding pre-show expectations.
The Digicon 3000 on display had already been purchased by American customer, Innovative Labelling Solutions (ILS), which is scheduled for installation at their factory in Ohio in December 2013. ILS will be running a label and flexible packaging configuration with the HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press running inline with the Digicon 3000.
The machine being exhibited comprised of an unwind with inline compatibility kit, semi rotary flexo/hybrid gravure print station, solvent based lamination, cold foil, semi rotary die cutting with automatic die load and unload, auto setting of back slitting, and rewind with FAST slitting system.
Edale's Technical Director, Steve Jordan, comments "The show helped to answer the question of how converters can finish their digitally printed webs either inline or offline whilst offering many options for lamination, coating, slitting and rewinding. The Digicon 3000, running inline with the HP Indigo 20000 digital press, provides a complete single pass printing and converting line for short run flexible packaging and label production of web widths up to 760mm".
Since the launch of the Digicon 3000, three orders have already been placed, across America and Europe, with a number of strong opportunities in the pipeline. Jay Dollries, owner of ILS, comments "As ILS continually focuses on growing our presence in the flexible packaging and shrink sleeve marketplaces the combination of the HP Indigo 20000 and the Digicon 3000 will be one of our major catalysts".
The collaboration between Edale and AB Graphic International began in May 2012 and together the two companies boast over 100 years technical experience; this combination means the Digicon 3000 benefits from many innovations that broaden the application possibilities in digital label and packaging printing, which were seen at the show. Steve Jordan adds, "One year ago, the Digicon 3000 was just slide ware, at the show it was running, and running very well..."
"As the recent Labelexpo show reinforced, the global label and flexible packaging market is growing steadily," said Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager, Indigo division, HP. "By working with leading finishing equipment manufacturers, such as Edale and AB Graphics, we have demonstrated impressive developments over the past year and proven that end-to-end wide-web label production on the HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press is real."
