As PrintPack makes its debut at McCormick Place Chicago, the Xerox Automated Packaging Solution powered by Stora Enso Gallop™ also make its U.S. debut.
Targeted towards package printers, brand owners seeking in-plant packaging printing capabilities, and commercial printers looking for new revenue streams, the semi-automated digital system can be seen printing and finishing a variety of personalized packages--from golf ball boxes and chewing gum wrappers in Xerox's Booth 1100.
"Providers can now answer the industry's demand for highly-customized packaging options--quickly and efficiently," said Eric Armour, president, Global Business Group, Xerox Corporation. "The in-line process means maximum productivity for packagers. For example, blank packaging boards are placed in the feeder and end up in the output stacker completely printed, coated and die cut"
An operator manually strips from the sheet the die-cut package, which is now ready for folding and gluing. (Xerox and its partners are working on automating the stripping process.) The manufacturer says the solution is ideal for retailers looking to test prototype products with a variety of different packaging. When paired with the company’s iGen4 press, the inline finishing system can be operated at the print engine's full-rated speed—110 pages/min. Substrates up to 18-pt. board can be used with the system’s current configurations, and Xerox’s Rick Bryant tells PD that the company is working hard at widening the substrate range even further.