The brainchild of Esanastri president Roberto Posarelli, the machine, called Galileo, mechanises work that could previously only be done by hand by removing unwanted areas around stickers and labels.

The machine was shown in operation at Fespa on the stand of Avery Dennison (6-T105), cutting 777 Cast Film and MPI 2804EA self-adhesive vinyl, and was generating interest from visitors.

“We think that it’s a real innovation in screen and digital printing. Normally you will see 10 people doing this work. I looked for a similar machine around the world but couldn’t find one so I thought it was a good idea to do it myself,” Posarelli told PrintWeek.

The machine was developed using biorobotics and with the help of academics at St Anna University in Pisa, Italy. It took three years to develop, at a cost of around €2.4m.

“This is the first time it has been seen,” Posarelli said. “We’ve only had it at our premesis. It’s very important for us to show it here at Fespa with Avery Dennison.”

The company has two screen printing plants in Pisa and Vietnam and a sales office in Russia.

Production manager Federico Carnasasciali said Esanastri had saved between €70,000 and €100,000 a year in staff costs since developing Galileo.

The company has made two prototypes, a 1,500x1,500mm model and a 750x750mm version, the latter of which is at Fespa.

Avery Dennison global senior director graphics Renae Kulis said it wanted to give Esanastri exposure because it wanted to grow the market, to provide more sales opportunities for its substrates.

At the time of writing Esanastri had yet to sell any Galileos but Posarelli said a German company was in purchase talks. The machines are priced from €150,000 to €230,000 and there is a three month lead time.

Posarelli said: “Galileo will get back your investment in two years.”