NEWS
By comparison, recruiting
operatives to run digital printing and
finishing equipment is simpler. Digital
printing technology is typically much
easier to run than traditional flexo
technology, and technologically
savvy candidates (as most new
operatives will be) often find it easy to
adapt with minimal training needed.

These issues with staff recruitment
are driving an industry mindset change,
with converters that might not have the
local labour required to run another
flexo line turning instead to digital
technology. Indeed, one-quarter of the
respondents in the BPIF survey plan to
invest in digital technology in 2025, while
half of respondents are investigating
automation and workflow improvements
that could help them mitigate labour
shortages and enhance efficiency.

The bottom line: don’t get left
behind and limit your chances of
attracting new workers into a forward-
looking working environment.

Understanding the Complete Label
Production Workflow
Once a converter has decided to
invest in digital printing technology, it
is important to consider all the steps
involved in creating the finished label
to determine what type of press will
achieve the best results.

While a new hybrid printing and
finishing line will typically deliver
a process where all elements work
together with optimum performance,
adding a digital roll-to-roll press
to an existing multi-step process is
complex, requiring a closer look at the
complete label production workflow.

A multi-step process could include
several pieces of upstream and
downstream equipment connected
by manual handling processes. While
upstream converting equipment can
typically maintain a constant supply of
prepared substrate to a label press,
downstream finishing equipment
could cause bottlenecks, lowering
productivity and reducing the return
on investment. Converters looking to
take advantage of higher press speeds
should ensure that finishing equipment
always matches or exceeds the
production speed of the label press
to maximise the number of finished
labels produced per shift.

Converters purchasing a high-
speed press should also be confident
that they will be able to generate the
orders needed to make use of the
additional capacity – as a press that is
underutilised will not be able to deliver
the desired return on investment.

This can also be an issue with digital/
hybrid label printing processes, where
integrated digital print engines – the
most significant investment in the line
– can be subject to considerable periods
of downtime during flexo-station
set-up. Where suitable offline finishing
equipment and personnel are available,
a roll-to-roll press could be the more
efficient choice, delivering a faster
payback thanks to near-continuous
production and offline finishing.

Conclusion Converters considering investing in a new digital label printing press
need to take into account the whole picture, focusing on the overall value
a press could deliver to their business as well as the initial investment,
consumable costs, and press speed.

A digital printing press supplier offering reliable solutions, backed by
a service offering tailored to a converter’s needs, will be a strong partner
that can support converters in scaling their business and maximising the
return on their investment.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE | www.binstedgroup.com
New X-Ray Inspection System
Minebea Intec is expanding its
portfolio with the X-ray inspection
system Dylight S. This compact X-ray
inspection system has been specially
developed to ensure the quality of
products in upright containers.

The requirements for the food, beverage
industries are constantly evolving.

Regulations such as the pre-packaging
ordinance or supplier audits require
complete documentation. At the same
time, sustainable packaging materials
make the use of advanced X-ray
technologies essential. Companies are
faced with the challenge of making
huge investments in new technologies
in order to keep up with these
changes. However, consumers are not
automatically prepared to pay higher
prices for their everyday products.

This is precisely where the new X-ray
inspection system Dylight S comes in:
it enables manufacturing companies
to guarantee the highest product
safety and quality – at an economically
attractive price.

The Dylight S features sideshooter
technology for more precise detection
of foreign bodies in products with light
and complex packaging. The X-ray
inspection system not only enables
reliable detection of metallic and
non-metallic foreign bodies - including
glass, rubber, stones or plastic parts
in containers such as PET bottles,
liquid food cartons or plastic cans, but
also offers functions for completeness
checks and fill level inspections.

“The X-ray inspection system
Dylight S is characterised by its
compact design,” says Mengqi Liang,
Product Manager at Minebea Intec.

“This enables easy integration into
existing production lines. Another key
advantage of the Dylight S is using
the monobloc generator without
an external transformer, which
reduces technical complexity and
simultaneously lowers the TCO.”
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