Hall 1
Heidelberg
Hall 1 may as well be renamed the Heidelberg Hall, as only kit from the press giant is being exhibited there. Heidelberg is planning to unveil 60 new products or features across its exhibit, which will include five fully integrated printshops showcasing different technologies. The theme is economy and ecology, and Heidelberg’s entire exhibit will be carbon neutral – it’s also giving a second life to used printing plates by utilising them to create signage and graphics around the hall. As well as the products we’ve picked out below, we’re expecting further ‘new news’ at the show. Could it be the much-speculated-about larger format Anicolor press?

Must-see Prinect Business Manager
Technology MIS
Why Who could resist a first look at Heidelberg’s new MIS, which replaces Prinect Prinance. The system is based on Belgian software developer CERM’s commercial and label printing MIS, which Heidelberg acquired last year, and promises a wide range of improvements on its predecessor. The main mooted benefit has been the ability for Prinect Business Manager to propose the most cost-effective way of printing any job that is estimated, across different format offset presses and even wide-format and digital devices. Bear in mind, though, that the system does not yet take finishing costs into consideration. Other improvements include a new, more flexible user interface that allows the user to customise views in a similar fashion to Microsoft Outlook, and greater CRM functionality, including the ability to track estimates and to synchronise with the Outlook calendar. Reporting also offers more in-depth analysis, apparently.

Must-see The Speedmaster SX Series
Technology Conventional press
Why Stephan Plenz, board member for equipment at Heidelberg (admittedly someone with reason to hold a biased view) promises that visitors will discover a press that embodies a new "professional" class of machine, which sits squarely in between the established SM and top-end XL ranges. The SX models will be available in all formats and Heidelberg expects productivity improvements of up to 30% over SM models for those who take their cheque books out. This is down to XL-type technology incorporated into the press.

Must-see Linoprint
Technology Toner and inkjet digital presses
Why Drupa is the debut for Heidelberg’s rebranded digital range, under Linoprint C for commercial print products based on the Ricoh engine, and Linoprint L for labels and packaging. Look out for a new drop-on-demand UV inkjet that combines Gallus, CERM and Heidelberg technology.

Hall 2

Polar-Mohr
Stand A01
Must-see N series high-speed guillotines
Technology Cutters
Why As this is the first time Polar has had its own stand at Drupa, this one should be highlight enough for sheer novelty. However, if you need a better reason than to give Polar a warm welcome on its solo debut, then the demonstration of three models of the new ‘N’ high-speed guillotines – the 56 NET, 66 NET and 80 ECO – should be appeal enough. The company confidently says that the three new machines will continue the series’ offering of "combined productivity, easy handling, top networking capability and a multitude of options."

Hall 3

Van Son Ink
Stand C54
Must-see Quickson Supreme
Technology Inks
Why Van Son is promoting how this range can deliver fast drying for speedy workflow. The inks are suitable, says Van Son, for all sheetfed offset presses including perfecting; for packaging and board printers; for use in combination with infra-red drying units; and for a wide range of finishing applications such as UV varnish, aqueous coating, foil or lamination. The inks are also vegetable-based and low VOC, and can be used with IPA and with IPA substitutes without changing drying characteristics.

Hall 4

GMG
Stand B25
Must-see GMG ProductionSuite
Technology Workflow and colour management
Why This product marks the first GMG release aimed specifically at wide-format printing, which just goes to show how much wide-format print is now valued as a marketplace for pre-press manufacturers and developers. ProductionSuite is described by the company as a complete pre-press solution for wide-format printers, adopting a modular approach, including GMG’s Editor, RIP, SmartProfiler and PrintStation. "It’s got everything that a large-format client would need for job preparation and editing, and it fully supports everything including all of the industrial cutting and roll-to-roll cutting machines," says UK technical sales consultant Simon Landau. He adds that SmartProfiler ensures work can be produced identically day after day, even with spot colours.

HP
Stand D60
Must-see HP Indigo 10000
Technology Digital
Why The real issue may be whether you can see it, as we expect the 10000s (there will be three on the booth) to be surrounded by a crush of people pretty much constantly for the whole two weeks, such is the excitement that has greeted this announcement of the B2 format Indigo press. Much of this excitement is down to the brave and confident noises being made from the HP camp. Of the 11-tonne, 3,450sph machine, vice president and HP Indigo general manager Alon Bar-Shany says the new digital press will propel the Indigo into the heart of the offset market. Meanwhile, Francois Martin, HP GSB worldwide marketing director, says the 10000 is the "first quality B2 digital press on the market". He adds: "It is designed from beginning to end like an offset machine," he continues. "This is really going to change the way people are looking at digital print. Adding this press to our range means we can potentially address 98% of all jobs that customers produce today." The press handles a 750x510mm sheet in landscape format, prints up to seven colours and has a monthly duty cycle of 2m sheets. There is a chance this could be the stand-out launch of the whole show, so you really don’t want to miss it. If you do find it is too crowded around the 10000, you could browse HP’s other launches, which include a carton version the 30000, which can handle boards up to 600mic. And Drupa also marks the push into imprinting with the HP Print Module for black-and-white and spot colour imprinting at up to 244m/min.

Pitney Bowes
Stand C4
Must-see The white paper factory
Technology inkjet
Why If you’re interested in a vision for the future of statement and transpromo printing, head for Hall 4 where the firm will be showcasing what it describes as "the transpromo evolution", from white paper into finished mailings complete with targeted marketing. There’s also a new paper wrapping technology that uses Sitma know-how to remove the need for separate envelopes.

Presstek
Stand B3
Must-see PhD 830 Plate
Technology Thermal plate
Why Presstek has been busy in the plate department and is releasing a chemistry–free CTP plate for web waterless printing alongside this product, but we felt the PHD 830 just edged into the lead to become a highlight due to its impressive environmental performance. The plate promises to eliminate the time-consuming steps, variables, and costs that are associated with production of other waterless plates and requires, says Presstek, only a simple cleaning with water prior to mounting the plates on press once the plate has been imaged. The negative working, ablation-free plate supports run lengths of 250,000 without baking and runs of 1m-plus with an optional post-bake, says Presstek. The firm claims it also has a high resistance to pressroom chemicals and on-press abrasion and requires less chemistry and less power, with a wider pre-heat latitude than competitive plate products.

ROI 360
Stand A2
Must-see An advanced preview of Pageflex v8 and iWay v6
Technology W2P
Why Sneak peaks are always a source of excitement and so the chance for a glimpse of what Pageflex v8 and iWay v6 will have in store will no doubt prove a big draw. All that has been said so far is that new "significant" enhancements will be shown alongside new global trading features. Head over to stand A2 and find out more…

Hall 5

EFI
Stand C1
Must-see Orion
Technology Wide-format digital
Why EFI will unveil a new digital printing system that it believes can replace wide-format screen printing – quite a claim. Chief executive Guy Gecht stated: "We’re going to say goodbye to screen-printing in wide-format – this product will expedite the transformation of grand format from analogue to digital." Admittedly, there are echoes of Drupa 2008 in the announcement. At the 2008 show, EFI launched the "screen process killing" Vutek DS8300, but it never came to market. Gecht said the project was canned because of the financial crisis. "In the bad days of 2009, there were not many customers wanting to pay $1m for that product. We have to make decisions about where we invest, or not." Since sketchy details about Orion were disclosed last month, EFI has revealed that Orion is in fact an operating system that will work with current and future wide-format presses such as its new Vutek HS100 model. EFI claims the HS100 represents a new category in speed and quality wide-format digital printing. Expect a steady stream of screen printers to be heading to hall 5 to see if the end really is nigh.

Epson
Stand A1-1 & A1-2
Must-see SurePress X
Technology Inkjet
Why Epson believes its new SurePress X is going to provide a "step change" in digital label printing. The single-pass press, being shown as a technology demonstration, makes use of Epson’s proprietary thin-film micro-piezo inkjet technology and has an extremely small footprint. Further details of the precise specification, including print width and number of colours, will be unveiled at the show.

Kodak Stand F9-1
Must-see Achieve CTP
Technology Platesetter
Why The Achieve is one of the few new CTP innovations for commercial printers that has been announced for the show. So if you’re interested in that sort of thing, this is one of the only places to see new technology in that area – though it is mainly being billed at emerging markets. An all-in-one CTP system, the Achieve is primarily aimed at printers who are still using film-based pre-press – hence the emerging markets pitch. The system comes as a bundle, including platesetter, plates, workflow, processing equipment, chemistry and servicing at what Kodak says is a lower total cost of ownership. The latter equates to a figure of around $55,000 (£35,000) per year with a two-year plate bundle. The platesetter itself is a simplified version of Kodak’s existing thermal CTP range, with all the automation stripped out so it is as cheap as possible. The plates, meanwhile, are rated for runs of up to 200,000 impressions without baking. It will be worth a look for all those currently outsourcing platemaking or who are still using film. The latest version of the Prosper high-speed inkjet, the 6000XL, is bound to attract attention too, as will the new ink options on the Nexpress including pearlescents, neon pink and metallic gold.

Hall 6

Baumann-Wohlenberg
Stand A59
Must-see Three new guillotines
Technology Cutting systems
Why Baumann-Wohlenberg will debut three new cutting systems for different levels of production. The first line, for medium volumes, features automatic front-table feeding and a new automatic cutting system with lateral alignment pusher and a sheet stabiliser. The new "economy" cutting system incorporates the 92 ASE cutter with automatic waste disposal, with the BSH 2-450 pile hoist, the new BSB 2e automatic jogger and the new BA2 Ne unloader. This system suits the 500mm/700mm format. A high-volume system will be shown using a Wohlenberg 132 with a new knife-change system, and the new Superglide air-cushion table. It uses a BA3 unloader with automatic format recognition and a new automatic BASA 3 jogging system.

Durst
Stands B39 and D60
Must-see Rho P10 series
Technology UV digital wide-format
Why The Durst team has stated that the Rho 10 series printers are the "most versatile, productive 10-picolitre UV printers available with 1,000dpi resolution". So they have a lot to live up to, then. The printers are designed specifically for backlit signage, point of sale and packaging. Printers in the series are the Rho P10 200 2m and Rho P10 250 2.5m flatbed hybrid printers, plus the Rho P10 320R 3.2m roll-to-roll.

Manroland
Sheetfed Stand D29-2/Stand D29-1
Must-see Various innovations and a look at the new company
Technology Sheetfed press
Why Far from being a simple meet-and-greet for the sheetfed arm of the now-split Manroland operations, Drupa will see a relatively ‘business as usual’ approach from the now-British-owned sheetfed arm. "With our new structure firmly in place, customers will experience an even more responsive partner in Manroland sheetfed," says Alfred Rothlaender, president of Manroland sheetfed. "We are dedicated to helping customers future-proof their businesses, as we work hard to meet or exceed their expectations for excellence, both in product and services." A key element of Manroland Sheetfed’s Drupa presence will be its solutions for the packaging market. The Roland 708LV printing press equipped with the new indexed InlineFoiler, will be on show, which saves up to 55% in consumption of foil, according to the company. In addition, an inline coating unit for added value printing effects will make an appearance, alongside Intelligent colour pre-setting with self-learning software that can bring ongoing productivity gains to the production floor. Commercial print is not forgotten, though, with solutions on show including the Just-Ready-Print solution powered by LEC-UV (low-energy curing); a new hybrid inkjet solution integrated in the press for individualised printing; and Autoprint Smart for automated processes between large job signatures, combined with superfast makereadies enabled by DirectDrive technology and full inline quality control. "Visitors to the Manroland Sheetfed stand may see the company occupying a smaller exhibit space as compared to Drupa 2008," explains Rothlaender, "but we are sparing no effort in demonstrating to visitors our know-how and expertise, as well as our determination to support the industry with our Printvalue programme."

Manroland Web Systems
Stand D29-2/Stand D29-1
Must-see Your guess is as good as ours
Technology Conventional press
Why While there are understandably no launches announced – that we know of anyway – the new company is worth a visit to find out what shape it will be taking. German group Possehl has good pedigree and will need all its skills to face hordes of inquisitive customers, alongside countless more curious printers.

Picon
Stands C62-1 & C62-5 (also various others)
Must-see A whole range of UK manufacturing wares
Technology Various
Why The idea of the ‘British Pavilions’ under the banner of Picon is to provide a Drupa test bed for UK manufacturers and a springboard for international trade. "We have 18 manufacturers with us this year, while there are other Picon members elsewhere at the show," says Tim Webb, executive director of the UK kit manufacturers’ association. "Many of the companies that exhibited with us four years ago have their own stands this year, and of course that is what we want to see. These manufacturers want to grow their exports and coming out to shows with us can help achieve that before they head off alone." He added that, for smaller manufacturers, as well as medium-sized manufacturers that only have a small print division, there are a number of advantages of attending alongside Picon. "Basically all they have to do is turn up at the show," he said. "We take care of everything and we are very visual and we have facilities that would not be available if a company came alone, so it makes a lot of sense." The ‘pavilions’ will occupy 800sqm across three halls, including Picon-hosted business lounges. Of the 18 exhibitors, 12 are full Picon members. Those 12 are: Alphasonics, Compose System, Edale, Focus Label Machinery, Integration Technology, Magnesium Elektron, MGE Worldwide, Michael Martin Associates, RK Print Coat Instruments, Rollem Patent Products, TS Converting Equipment, and Ripware. The six non-members are: Applied Laser Engineering, Autobox, Foiltone, Hydrair, Inotech Systems, and Omnitek.

Hall 7

Colorware
Stand D16
Must-see PressView Printability Test Suite
Technology Colour management software
Why The existing PressView software is a server-based colour control system that enables printers to measure, analyse and control colours in offset, heatset, flexo, gravure and digital printing processes, but the Printability Test Suite offers something more. The software analyses the exact colour behaviour for any given ink and substrate combination for all print processes. The test will calculate the closest colour match and density and determines the optimum density value and density bandwidth of any specific ink/substrate combination, thereby predicting the exact colour performance of the ink of choice on the selected substrate. It’s very clever stuff.

Drupa Innovation Park Multiple stands
Must-see A hub for print innovations
Technology Various
Why The DIP umbrella encompasses small tech start-ups and trend-setting ideas from some of the industry’s larger suppliers. Topics include automation, functional printing, asset management and print-meets-mobile media. Worth a browse around.

Drupa report daily
Stand C01
Must-see The official show daily
Technology People power
Why Yes, this is a shameless plug, but if you enjoy watching people hard at work, this is the place to see the PrintWeek team in action, working alongside our colleagues at Druck & Medien magazine as they produce the drupa report daily, which is the official daily newspaper at Drupa. You might also catch a glimpse of journalists from our global sister publications, including PrintWeek India and Australian printing title ProPrint.

Global Graphics
Stand A21
Must-see Harlequin Host Renderer 3 (HHR3)
Technology RIP
Why Global Graphics will unveil the latest version of its Harlequin digital’ RIP, Harlequin Host Renderer 3 (HHR3). The RIP features a trio of headline enhancements designed to help process the massive amounts of data needed to keep modern digital presses running at their rated speed. These include HP’s Indigo range and T-series high-speed web presses, both of which are powered by Harlequin’s digital RIP technology, as well as presses from SIS and Miyakoshi. Global Graphics chief technology officer Martin Bailey says: "It’s perfect for many print sectors, from variable data labelling to personalised marketing materials, from general commercial print to print on-demand, so print shops will benefit from being able to expand into new types of work." The aim of all three enhancements was to allow the RIP to process pages faster, thereby reducing the hardware requirement and number of RIPs required to feed light, medium and high-volume, toner- and inkjet-based digital presses.

Printing.com
Stand F13
Must-see W3P
Technology Cloud-based W2P platform
Why How many printing companies are exhibiting at Drupa, rather than visiting? At least one – Printing.com, which has the bold aim of reinventing the way print companies approach W2P. Its software seeks to address the main limiting factors of take-up of W2P – the cost and complexity of creating templates for variable print jobs. Chief executive Tony Rafferty is talking big, saying the system will "give all commercial printers a W2P system that works". The base of this confidence comes from the fact W3P is based on InDesign Server and so all templates can be built by a graphic designer using familiar tools, rather than having to employ some programming know how. Printing.com claims that anyone with knowledge of InDesign can create a W2P template using W3P inside 10 minutes with a minimum of training. It may be fun to go to the stand and see if that challenge can be met.

Hall 7a

Chilli Publish
Stand C15
Must-see Chilli Publisher 3
Technology W2P online document editor
Why Chilli Publish director Kevin Goemine says the company was trying to avoid the label "InDesign in the cloud" with its new system, but in many ways Publisher 3 does offer just that level of functionality – and rather than avoiding the comparison, it may well be that association that gets the customers flocking to the stand. New features seeking to earn this tag for the third iteration of the product include the ability to use table structures for page layouts, where each cell can hold text, images, barcodes, vectors or tables; and Chilli’s second-generation mobile reader.

FourPees
Stand 13D
Must-see Atomyx Portal and Atomyx Automation
Technology Workflow
Why FourPees is giving Drupa the official launch of two new key systems in the Atomyx modular workflow system. Atomyx Portal is an out-of-the-box job submission and quality control portal solution, based on Callas software’s pdfToolbox preflight and correction technology. It streamlines file submission including additional metadata, quality control and verification against product properties setup by the printer or publisher. Atomyx Automation, meanwhile, is a complete production automation solution covering all stages of a workflow from delivery and quality control and image optimisation to proofing and production for the print and publishing market.

Hybrid Software
Stand E10
Must-see Integration
Technology Various
Why Not many print businesses have the luxury of starting from a blank sheet of paper when it comes to implementing MIS and workflow systems, and many companies have islands of information within their businesses. Hybrid Software says it is bringing ‘integration 2.0’ to Drupa b y allowing printers to connect their existing systems, rather than replace them. Hybrid promises a vendor-neutral solution with low ownership cost.

Sun Innovations
Stand D8
Must-see Sun Flower Ink
Technology Inks
Why Sun Flower ink is an antibacterial ink technology. In a world where anti-bacterial hand soaps are now commonplace, thanks to a glut of infectious viruses and disease, this is a very well-timed Drupa launch. The company has harnessed a technique practiced since ancient times, of using silver to disinfect and protect. By using nano particles of silver in the ink, the product can be used to print multi-colour images on any material or surface, making it perfect for bathroom tiles or wall panels in schools and other public places. "There are lots of ways to apply our invention," says Sun Innovations founder Vladislav Mirchev. "It can be used for decorating walls in public places where, we believe, the chances of catching a cold will, as a result, be lower. Or you could print them on to a laptop to protect the user from bacteria accumulated there." Okay, so it’s not a cure for the common cold, but you’d struggle to find anyone at least attempting it anywhere else within Drupa, and for that reason you should definitely take a look.

Hall 8a

Agfa
Stand B64
Must-see Advantage N Platesetters
Technology Platesetters
Why Agfa is being relatively coy about what is on stand at Drupa, but a few innovations have simmered to the surface. A new version of Apogee will be highlighted, as will a new cloud-based W2P platform, Apogee StoreFront. We’ve chosen the platesetters, however, and its plural because there are two of them: the Advantage N PL HS and the Advantage N TR HS. Both are aimed at the newspaper market and produce up to 350 plates per hour. The former will be running live on stand imaging Agfa Graphics’ N94 VCF chemistry-free violet plates.

Basysprint
Stand 44-1
Must-see UV-Setter Series 460x and 860x
Technology Platesetters
Why Drupa will see the unveiling of the company’s next generation of 4-up and 8-up UV platesetters for offset printing. The company claims the new machines offer "unsurpassed quality" with resolutions up to 2,400dpi and boast a unique flatbed design that should make Drupa visitors perk up in attention. The flatbed design enables a wide variety of plate sizes, with formats as small as 200x200mm and as large as 680x839mm with the 460x and 940x1,150mm on the 860x. Dual-plate loading, meanwhile, offers the opportunity to load and image two plates at the same time, giving a speed of 145 plates imaged per hour on a plate size of 400x550mm. "The machines can be used to image coat plates for spot-varnish printing as well," says director of sales and marketing Christophe Lievens. "They can also handle photoengrave magnesium or copper plates of thicknesses of up to 10mm for hot foil stamping or embossing; and image screen meshes for all kinds of screen print applications."

Canon
Stands B64-1 & B64-8
Must-see Océ Arizona 318 GL
Technology UV flatbed digital wide-format
Why The Arizona 319 GL was launched earlier this year, but Drupa will mark the first opportunity for many to get a look at it. The 1.25x2.5m machine offers three print modes and is capable of an output of up to 18sqm per hour in express operation or 12.2sqm per hour in production mode. Océ claims the machine’s cost of between €89,000 and €101,000 will lower the barriers of entry for commercial printers to high-quality flatbed production. The machine is also available with a roll media option, opening up vinyl markets. To find out if it does what it says on the tin for that low price, you shall have to visit the Canon stand, which will feature a liberal sprinkling of Océ products. Canon’s focus will be showing how print fits in with the bigger picture of the marketing communications mix, and the company aims to provide plenty of reason for visitors to come to its stand.

Riso
Stand C8
Must-see To be announced…
Technology Digital inkjet
Why Riso European marketing manager Tatsuo Murakami says the company will launch a product that "will help bring Riso’s full-colour, cut-sheet, inkjet printing engine’s capabilities more fully into play" through a "new exciting concept" in inkjet printing. While this may not give any easy clues as to the exact nature of the launch, the company has previous form back in 2004 as a PrintWeek-dubbed "unexpected star of Drupa" for its low cost, high-speed inkjet printers, so we think it will be well worth keeping an eye out for the Riso announcement.

Hall 8b

Arden Software Stand C15
Must-see Latest version of WEBcnx
Technology Workflow
Why WEBcnx is Arden’s product life cycle and workflow tool and it will be bringing the next generation of the software to Drupa for visitors to give the once over. New features include the addition of a supply chain management module, which enables packaging companies to introduce supply chain planning and execution capabilities across its business through the use of advanced barcode technology; and a planning and scheduling module, which allows the allocation and monitoring of design tasks to prevent project conflicts, under-utilisation and bottlenecks.

Esko
Stand A23
Must-see HD Flexo
Technology HD Flexo imaging plate technology
Why Though not commercially available at Drupa, Esko’s next-generation HD Flexo plate imaging technology is a nailed-on must-see in PrintWeek’s book if you are a flexible packaging printer. The technology builds on Esko’s existing Inline UV2 exposure unit, which was launched last September to allow flexo printers to switch between round-loop or flat-top dots from one place to the next, depending on the job requirements. According to Esko, it will demonstrate the capability to image both round-top and flat-top dots on a single plate, thereby giving the best of both worlds in terms of smooth highlight and gravure-like solid printing. On-stand will be printed samples and imaged plates to pass a critical eye over.

Fujifilm
Stand A25-1 and A25-3
Must-see A new digital inkjet web press
Technology Digital inkjet
Why should you see it? Up until a few days before publication, it was a straight race for the spotlight between the B2 sheetfed inkjet press launch of the Jet Press 720 carton version, the Fujifilm Acuity LED 1600 and the new version 5 of XMF workflow. However, all were usurped at the last minute by the announcement that Fujifilm would use Drupa to launch a new and as yet unnamed digital inkjet web press. The press, which is geared towards the production of short-run books, newspapers and magazines, will offer duplex printing within a single tower design, resulting in "an extremely compact footprint", but retaining a maximum print speed of 127m/min. While the press will initially be available as a four-colour CMYK machine, it features a total of 12 jetting module slots per side, suggesting that the extra two channels could be for a sealer, coater, or both. Speculation that Fujifilm was developing a new press arose after a pre-Drupa event in February, when the manufacturer announced the launch of its Vividia ink range, which includes dye and pigmented water-based inks for continuous-feed printers; at the time Fujifilm did not have a continuous-feed machine. The new inkjet web press, which uses the Vividia ink, is able to use a pigment-based ink, and a dye-based ink, depending on the application requirements. Fujifilm’s Vividia ink range is aimed at commercial and packaging printing; the manufacturer claims the inks can print high-density images at high speed, and with less ink transfer from sheet to sheet. The new press will be running live at Drupa 2012 and will be commercially available towards the end of the year.

Morgana Systems
Stand A65
Must-see DigiBook Series
Technology Bookletmaker
Why Though the DigiBook 300 will already be known to some European printers as it was released at the end of 2011, Drupa will mark its first exhibition appearance and it will appear alongside two brand new for Drupa models in the range. The DigiBook 300 can bind up to 300 books per hour, but the PUR binders for digital print now have a new short-run solution, DigiBook 150, which is capable of producing 150 cycles per hour and can bind publications with spine thicknesses from 2mm through to 50mm, while the new top-of-the-range machine, the DigiBook 450, can produce up to 450 cycles per hour with automatic cover feeding. "PUR binding for digital is a real growth area for finishing equipment providers. We have seen significant interest since we announced the DigiBook 300, and expect business to grow considerably this year," says Quen Baum, managing director. "Having enjoyed our most successful year in terms of exports, Drupa 2012 is now looking like an even more significant show for Morgana. In fact, this will be our largest international exhibition to date."

Xerox
Stand A62-1 & A62-5
As PrintWeek went to press, there were no details about what to expect from Xerox at Drupa, but with a history of big announcements at these events, it is going to be well worth keeping an eye on the digital manufacturer at the show.

Hall 9

Landa
Stands A73-1 & A73-5
Must-see An entirely new category of digital printing
Technology Nanography
Why Surely this Drupa’s must-see of must-sees, anticipation about Benny Landa’s new printing venture is intense. The launch has been shrouded in secrecy and the Landa stand in hall 9 has been constructed behind 3m-high walls in order to keep prying eyes away during the build. Indigo founder Landa promises "game-changing" performance for his trademarked Nanography process, which uses water-based Landa NanoInk, made using miniscule particles of pigment that are mere tens of nanometres in size. And rather than coming to Drupa with a single new product, we’re promised a complete family of presses. These include a B1 format model that will be unique to the digital sector, alongside B2 and B3 sheetfed machines. Print speed is up to 11,000sph which will make Landa’s the fastest sheetfed presses by some way. Web presses are also included in the range, targeted at magazine and flexible packaging printers, and promising speeds of up to 200m/min. All print on to standard stocks without the need for special paper treatments. The 1,400sqm stand is the largest-ever at Drupa for a first-time exhibitor, and Landa himself will be on-hand throughout, personally hosting the five theatre-style presentations that will take place on each day during the show. Even with 300 seats available per show, we predict it will be one of the hottest tickets at Drupa (read more on p18).

Mimaki
Stand A44
Must-see JV400LX
Technology Wide-format
Why With the JV400LX, Mimaki is the first printer to follow HP down the route of latex wide-format solutions and for that brave move alone this press is worth a visit. The range consists of two printers, the 1,300mm-wide JV400-130LX and the 1,600mm-wide JV400-160LX. Both offer a top speed of 18sqm per hour. The printers use the company’s new latex ink set, which includes a white ink alongside six other colours. With HP and Mimaki both showing latex options, and with the great and good drawn to the presses by the battle between the companies, this press may well spark something that could turn out to be a long-term trend. By paying it a visit, then, you can at least have the honour of saying that you were there from the start. Almost.

Miyakoshi Stand A04
Must-see A B2 digital press
Technology High-speed electrophotographic
Why If you’re aiming to keep on top of all the B2 digital developments at Drupa, you need to head for this booth, where a prototype press jointly-developed by Miyakoshi and Ryobi will be on display. The press promises high quality at high speed, with a 1,200dpi resolution and print speed of up to 8,000sph.

Screen
Stand A40
Must-see Equios Universal Workflow
Technology Workflow
Why This single workflow with a single interface drives streamlined production from W2P to the delivery of the finished item automatically – a hot topic if ever there was one. Xerox says that, with Equios, users don’t need to operate different device-dependent workflows, each with a different way of handling imposition and colour management, to drive their variety of Screen and third-party CTP, toner and inkjet devices. The software provides integrated job management with consistent colour management across different output devices, while communication with a variety of third-party finishing systems is automated via Equios JDF. In combination with another big launch – a cloud-based variable data application that simplifies the production of variable jobs and gives printers an investment-free entry into the fastest-growing area of printing – this could prove a very popular attraction at the show. Those plotting a route around the latest inkjet developments should also check out the Truepress Jet SX B2 device, which can now print on to board up to 0.6mm in thickness.

Zünd Stand C3
Must-see S3 Series
Technology Cutting table
Why The new S3 cutter series "excels with unprecedented price and performance, as well as exceptional productivity", according to Zünd. The S3 is capable of processing a wide range of materials, including textiles, vinyls, films, thinner plastics, and cardboard at high quality. "The S3 features smaller, space-saving footprints and ultra-fast Z- and T-axis control," explains product manager Lars Bendixen. "Capabilities can be extended even further with creasing tools and a 300W router insert. S3 is super-fast and the most versatile cutting system in its price range. It is aimed at the sign and display market, as well as the packaging market. Its unique and modular design allows it to expand and grow with our customers growing need for versatility and productivity. Compared to its big brother, the G3, it has a smaller footprint and a lower price point."

Hall 10

Bobst
Stand A4
Must-see New Carton Folding developments
Technology Folding
Why The packaging market is becoming an ever-increasing area for print, and also ever more accessible. At Drupa, Bobst says it will show a new approach to processing cartons after the application of glue that will make it even more accessible and affordable a sector to get into. Designed following a programme of customer engagement, Bobst says this new system will reduce waste and improve the quality of the final product. Enhanced quality control systems will further aid efficiency, constantly monitoring the output of both the folder-gluer line and upstream processes, ensuring customers can achieve a successful move towards ‘zero-fault’ packaging.

Hall 11

Autobond
Stand A23
Must-see 52 SUV-SDF
Technology Laminator
Why Hot on the heels of the company’s first spot-UV lamination machine, the Mini 36 TPM-36 SUV (which is being demonstrated at a European exhibition for the first time at Drupa), Autobond will launch the 52 SUV-SDF, a B2 portrait inkjet spot UV machine with Heidelberg-Stahl suction drum feeder. According to Autobond managing director John Gilmore, demand for larger size versions of the machine has been high. "Almost as soon as we had announced the launch of the 36 SUV, I started receiving phone calls asking when we’d be developing a larger B2 landscape version of the machine," he explains. "The demand has been staggering." The 52 SUV-SDF has been developed to meet the short-run demand for an entry-level inkjet spot UV machine. It has a maximum sheet size of 520x740mm and features automatic, continuous-run, top-loading feeding.

Renz
Stand E39
Must-see New inline binding system
Technology Binding/punching
Why Like elsewhere in these highlights, we are having to take Renz’s word for it that this will be a glittering new machine. With the promise of a "world first", the signs are good. All Renz will say at the moment is that it will debut an inline, fully automatic binding system with high-speed punching. Book blocks on the in-feed conveyor are punched, re-collated and fed automatically into the binder. Renz claims the new machine reduces product handling and enables full automation of punching and binding – which is where the "world first" apparently comes in. Worth a look, surely?

Hall 12

Ashe Converting
Stand C50
Must-see Sapphire and Opal range
Technology Roll-form slitting/rewinding
Why These types of products are thin on the ground at the show, so you should take advantage of seeing them in action when you can. The company will be giving live demonstrations throughout Drupa on four separate finishing machines all based on roll form slitting and rewinding. Ashe will be able to show its advantageous techniques of design to both flexible and label converters. The Sapphire S2 dedicated secondary slitter rewind machine for various substrate web widths of 600mm to 2,000mm and the machine’s latest technical innovations will be on display. The Diamond model will be running an unsupported film, while the Opal range, dedicated to the narrow print and label industry, will be demonstrated on the stand with three different forms within the range. The Opal standard Label Inspection Slitter Rewind machine will accommodate the latest in 100% print inspection and automatic control allows the user guaranteed defect free finished printed rolls.

Hall 13

Domino
Stand D89
Must-see intelligent technology
Technology Inkjet
Why Domino has added ‘intelligent technology’ to a range of its inkjet devices, giving us the K600i (for printing on web widths of 108mm–782mm at up to 150m/min), N600i (digital label press) and L100i (imprinting system). The new i-tech includes StitchLink image stitching know-how for seamless image stitching, and the CleanCap nozzle system, which maintains nozzle performance without the need for manual cleaning.

Duplo
Stand B53
Must-see DBMi Saddle stitcher
Technology Saddlestitching
Why It’s been a busy four years for Duplo, with a whole range of new launches and its kit getting into high profile places such as Moonpig.com and Moo.com. "Drupa is the Olympic Games of the print industry and we are going for gold," says Duplo UK marketing manager Andy Pike. "Our stand this year is 50% larger than in 2008. The growth we have made over the past four years has been just as significant and Drupa comes at an exciting time for us." This time around at Drupa will see the launch of the automated saddlestitching system the DBMi. It will be sold in three different configurations, all capable of producing books as small as 75x90mm up to A4 landscape, with an automatic size change in less than 60 seconds. In addition, the DC-745 will be showcased with the integrated folding system for the first time. "Our third significant product launch is the KB-4000 PUR perfect binder, which combines the strength of PUR binding, with the benefits of hotmelt side gluing to enable instant handling," adds Pike. "We have high expectations for Drupa and expect to take significant orders. We have been encouraged by the level of interest from our UK customers and following three very strong months of sales ,this gives us real confidence that Drupa will be a huge success."

Horizon International
Stand D36
Must-see HOF 400 Feeder
Technology Feeder
Why Making a special effort to see a feeder may seem an odd choice, but this feeder is definitely worth a look. Capable of feeding A4 sheets short edge for landscape A4 booklet production, this machine features a feeding performance and a modular concept design that enables flexible booklet production for digital printed output. Horizon says the uniquely designed feeding system runs at up to 4,200 sheets per hour, and its highly automated set-up is via touchscreen controls. Main feeder, cover feeder, accumulator, CCD camera device, and barcode reading device can be arranged in various configurations, while the pXnet bindery control system can plan jobs, collect production data and interface with existing workflow for automated JDF set up. As well as the SPF-200A and StitchLiner 5500 systems, it can be configured with the Drupa-launched SPF-200AL bookletmaking system for landscape stitched booklets.

Hall 14

Buhrs
Stand D41
Must-see 5000 System
Technology Mailing
Why With a one-stop shop on the agenda of most corporates, in-house mailing capability is proving a must for many and Burhs claims that the 5000 System provides a fresh approach for printers. Able to complete both printing and packaging inline, the machine can print black and white addresses, full personalisation handling variable data and can produce full-colour images. It runs at up to 30,000 units per hour. With the demand for paper wrapping on the up, this all in one option could prove of great interest to a large section of the Drupa population.

Muller Martini
Stand C21
Must-see A range of new –as-yet unspecified – products
Technology Varied post-press
Why The finishing behemoth is holding its cards relatively close to its chest for the Drupa exhibition, but with the promise of new products and the company’s reputation for innovation, we feel confident sending you in the direction of Stand C21 for a Drupa highlight. So far, We’ve been told to expect a completely new inserting system for the production of newspapers and mailshots with an optimal price-performance ratio; state-of-the-art systems for hardcover production – for example for high-quality photo books; and new possibilities for saddle stitching with inline inserts – for a high level of product diversity for all print run sizes. There will also be new solutions for perfect binding with optimal cost-effectiveness and the shortest processing times thanks to the firm’s Motion Control Technology.

Hall 15

Komori
Stand D4
Must-see Lithrone GX40 Carton
Technology Presses
Why? Komori has been rather busy since the last Drupa and comes to the show armed with three new innovations. While the link-up with Konica Minolta will be fascinating to see, with three new digital presses – including two inkjet devices – information is rather thin on the ground as to what these presses will actually be. So, we have opted to plump for the Lithrone GX40 Carton, which we know rather more about (the other contender is the new A1 format Lithrone A37). The GX40 press is targeted at packaging and special print applications and will be running on stand, so you’ll probably hear it before you see it. Labelled a "high performance" press, the company promises wide ranging printability with H-UV UV curing on heavy stock and special substrates will be in action before your eyes. Have a notepad handy if you are watching a demonstration as you will need to keep up with rather a lot of abbreviations in the explanations. These include PQAS, a print quality assessment technology ported from Komori’s currency division, which scans both sides of every sheet and spots defects.

Hall 16
Hans Gronhi
Stand D18
Must-see GH794
Technology Sheetfed offset
Why Hans Gronhi will be showing its larger-format press offering in Europe for the first time. As the name suggests, the GH794 is a 79cm format press that Hans Gronhi hopes will establish a point of difference in the B2-plus arena, and we’re keen to hear what the price point is, considering how price-competitive the firm’s B3 presses are. Hot on the heels of its acquisition of Shinohara’s assets, Hans Gronhi will also be showcasing its newly-expanded press range.

KBA
Stands C47-1 & C47-2
Must-see RotaJet 76
Technology Inkjet digital
Why The spawn of a partnership with RR Donnelley that gave KBA access to two inkjet technologies, the RotaJET 76 runs a web width of 782mm and has a print speed of 150m/min. At Drupa, the press will be demonstrated printing live four times a day, integrated with a Muller Martini Sigma line to produce saddle-stitched brochures. Beyond that, the details are a little sparse, but the press is certain to be a talking point among attendees so it will be well worth seeing what all the fuss is about. As an added extra incentive, the banter from KBA in the direction of the other manufacturers was flying well before the event started, so the sparks may be flying. Back in March, in a thinly-veiled sideswipe at rival Heidelberg and the new Manroland businesses, KBA president Claus Bolza-Schunemann said: "We are the only press manufacturer with an own-brand digital press made in Germany. We are not simply marketing an existing press from a different manufacturer." Despite its relatively early development stage – the RotaJET has only been putting ink on paper for three months – print samples shown to PrintWeek look impressive. Freshly-appointed project manager for digital web presses Oliver Baar, who joined KBA from HP just a couple of months ago, emphasised the advantages of KBA’s high-speed paper transport expertise: "It is easier to come from the high-volume and look at the medium level, than to come from below and scale up," he said. "KBA has answered questions the others aren’t even asking." As for pricing for all this technology and expertise, KBA says the price will be "competitive" against other 30in (762mm) inkjet webs on the market. Other points of interest on the KBA stand include a clever inkjet imprinting unit that integrates inkjet with sheetfed presses, and the Rapida 76 an 18,000sph high-end B2 press.

Hall 17

Goss
Stands A59 & C59
Must-see The Sunday Vpak flexible packaging, label and folding carton press
Technology Conventional press
Why This is the first time outside North America that Goss has shown the press and Drupa will mark its official launch. Goss believes the press can take on sheetfed, flexo and gravure in the packaging market – it will be worth heading over to the stand to make your own opinion on how viable a claim this may be. The Vpak uses quick-change sleeves to allow for variable repeat lengths and is available in narrow and wide web widths from 510–1,905mm. It comes in two models: The Vpak 3000 has a 1,950mm maximum web width, 1,400mm maximum repeat and runs at 457m/min; the Vpak 500 meanwhile has a 1,051mm maximum web width, 812mm repeat and runs at 365m/min. There is the promise of UV technology becoming available if the company’s customers show enough demand for the service, too.

Check out our Drupa highlights feature here