3D modelling is now available from Highcon
The digital finishing specialist Highcon will expand its portfolio from one machine to three at drupa 2016, including a new unit dedicated to commercial printers.
The Highcon Pulse will be shown in Düsseldorf as an entry for PSPs and commercial printers into digital finishing. Capable of cutting and creasing the unit can run at 2000 sph in B2 format. The machine has a smaller footprint but contains all the capabilities of the larger models in the portfolio.
In light of the attention to B1 digital printing expected at drupa 2016, the company will also launch another new machine, the Highcon Beam. According to the company this launch will be its ‘wow factor’ for this year’s show and aims to bring digital cutting and creasing to the mainstream of commercial printing. As the most productive unit in the portfolio it can finish at 5000 sph at B1, enabling end to end digital production.
The Euclid will also feature at the show in the form of its next generation, the Euclid III. This model opens up a range of new applications giving more value to the customer including full variable data cutting and 3D modeling capability. The machine keeps its core technologies of creasing and cutting, finishing at a rate of 1500 sph (B1).
The variable data cutting is an add on available to customers. As it stands Highcon customers have basic digital cutting, but with the variable data capability added, more creative cutting and creasing can change the design on every item in a job. This enables 100,000s of different end products, increasing customisation jobs and even security features for premium products.
Along with the new hardware the company will launch the Highcon Axis software built to handle variable data jobs. Axis is a web to print system which gives a simplified process of ordering packaging online. Customers can browse different boxes on their phone or tablet, which can be personliased, with print or finishing, with a 3D proof sent to the customer at the end. Once purchased the system sends the order with all job information to the printer automatically.
The software has been created with two leading software partners, XMPie and Esko. It combines XMPie’s web to print expertise with, Esko’s packaging prepress knowledge. Taking web to print beyond flat business cards and into 3D products.
The new machines with the capabilities of variable data cutting can also use a 3D modeling package. Different to 3D printing in many ways, it creates models very fast at a low cost and are all based on paper substrates.
Each layer is cut differently, one by one the cutting is changed, and the printing is changed on each layer too, with thousands being created per hour.
Eshchar Ben-Shitrit, vice president of marketing, said, ‘We don’t see customers going soley into 3D modeling but it can sit next to their main work load, and we see it as a high value application. Noting that we are showing at drupa is a prototype, we are taking orders on everything on our stand, with customers have used the technology available for questions.’
