Komori's Vision: A Smart Factory Friendly to People and the Environment

The printing industry faces numerous changes, including a worsening of skilled labor and manpower shortages and the need for sustainability initiatives. To address these challenges, Komori will exhibit a wide range of technologies under the theme Connected Automation, in line with its purpose: Delivering Kando "Beyond Expectations" by contributing to society with print technology.

Connected Automation is a method that enhances the automation of operations by establishing a production site that links different devices from many sources and removes barriers between processes. The core system, KP-Connect, facilitates visibility, automation, and streamlining of the production site by connecting all equipment, from MIS to prepress, press, and postpress systems. This leads to the optimization of the entire process, ultimately maximizing productivity and profitability. Komori advocates environmentally conscious printing practices, encompassing automated quality inspections, robotic logistics, energy conservation and technologies aimed at minimizing paper waste. These initiatives collectively contribute to the establishment of Smart Factories that prioritize both people and the environment.

At this year's Komori booth, we will showcase equipment featuring the latest environmental and automation technologies. The highlight is the new model from the Lithrone advance series, the Lithrone GX/G advance EX Edition, which has achieved world-class ROI (return on investment) since its announcement in 2020 and is being adopted globally. This model includes three new features for sustainable printing and a new interface offering high operability. It is an environmentally conscious offset printing press designed to reduce energy costs and enhance the efficiency of printing operators.

Additionally, we will exhibit the J-throne 29 next-generation 29-inch sheetfed UV inkjet digital printing press. The Komori booth will collaborate with the Postpress Alliance booth, which leads the post-processing industry, to create a Smart Factory at the venue showing the embodiment of Connected Automation.

Commercial Printing Zone

Leveraging Information and Robotics: Next-Generation Commercial Solutions that Balance the Environment and Productivity

In the Commercial Printing Zone, part of Komori's booth will showcase a glimpse into the future of general commercial printing that resembles a Smart Factory. We will unveil innovative solutions designed to automate every stage of the printing process, from printing and folding to binding. These advancements aim to enhance printing company productivity and address the challenge of labor shortages within the industry.

Constructing a Smart Factory for general commercial printing

* The exhibition content is subject to change depending on circumstances.

Komori's proposed Smart Factory consolidates and analyzes information in real-time without manual intervention, integrating it into the latest schedules. This maximizes the utilization of each device to enhance productivity.

Tasks such as quality assessment, including density and register checks, traditionally performed by experienced personnel, as well as the physically demanding work of handling and transporting materials, can now be replaced by systems and collaborative robots. This shift not only boosts productivity but also allows the limited workforce to focus on more important tasks.

The Lithrone G37P advance EX Edition, equipped with optimized feeder and delivery systems, ensures high speed and stable operation. Its Autopilot function (automatic operation) completes the entire process nonstop from test printing to production printing, significantly reducing manpower and job changeover time. Moreover, three new features reduce power consumption during operation, enabling environmentally friendly printing.

The Autopilot of the Lithrone G37P advance handles the printing process, while the MBO CoBo-Stack palletizing robot and the AGILOX ONE Autonomous Mobile Robot take care of heavy manual labor, and the entire system is managed by KP-Connect Pro. Furthermore, it is integrated with the Hohner saddle stitcher exhibited in the Postpress Alliance booth, allowing visitors to experience a seamless Smart Factory.

In the Digital Zone, the J-throne 29 next-generation 29-inch sheetfed UV inkjet digital printing press is being exhibited for the first time. It boasts the fastest printing speed in its class, with 6,000 sph for single-sided and 3,000 sph for double-sided printing. The newly developed UV ink significantly enhances print suitability. These features greatly expand the possibilities of digital printing.

EX Edition
Lithrone G37P advance EX Edition (GL-837P-A)
H-UV L (LED)-equipped Eight-Color 37-inch Convertible Perfecting Offset Printing Press

The KID (Komori Information Display) screen layout has been revamped.
The screen layout has been redesigned. Now, all vital printing information is conveniently consolidated onto a single screen. Operators can check inline quality inspections, density control, next job data, presets and more. This makes it easier for inexperienced operators to efficiently change jobs by seeing the timing of the necessary tasks.

DEBUT
J-throne 29
29-inch Sheetfed UV Inkjet Digital Printing Press

SUSTAINABLE FUNCTION

Lithrone GX/G advance EX Edition: Three New Functions for Sustainable Printing

Komori has developed an eco-friendly offset printing press designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a solution to support printers. The Lithrone GX/G advance EX Edition is equipped with three eco-conscious functions. By means of these functions, the press reduces power consumption by up to 18%* while printing. It also realizes stable feeder and delivery operation to cut wastepaper usage, thus achieving both reduced GHG emissions and high productivity.

1.Smart Inking Flow

An optimized roller arrangement backed by state-of-the-art analysis not only ensures enhanced print quality through stable density control but reduces exhaust heat and energy consumption by alleviating the load on the rotary drive.

2.DC Blower

Komori's DC blower achieves both economic and eco-friendly operation while maintaining the high-level airflow needed to properly stabilize the sheet. It significantly reduces power consumption through low-energy operation and minimal heat generation, all in a compact and lightweight design.

3.e-Mist

Komori's revolutionary micro-mist system directly controls the humidity of the paper to combat the effects of static electricity. By controlling the humidification time, power consumption and water usage, the system keeps energy usage to a minimum. An added advantage is its enhancement of sheet alignment during delivery.

Package Printing Zone

Solutions for Sustainable Package Printing

When considering the wide variety of print materials possible, the appeal of packaging products stands paramount, necessitating eye-catching designs that prompt consumers to engage with the product. To distinguish these packages, specialized colors and innovative printing techniques, including coating and simulated embossing, are employed to enhance their value. Attaining such excellence requires printing of the highest caliber, which must fulfill stringent criteria, including precise color reproduction, heightened productivity, streamlined color change processes, and reduced CO2 emissions through the efficient disposal of paper and ink.

As the production of printed materials shifts towards a greater variety of small-scale batches requiring more frequent job changes, improving the ability to efficiently change tasks is crucial in addressing these challenges.

The Lithrone GX40 advance EX Edition is equipped with technologies such as a double coater for coating variations, Super Short Makeready that reduces makeready time to the minimum by automatically performing multiple changeover operations at the same time, and Smart Color that reproduces special colors with high color rendering and eliminates the need for color changes. Furthermore, with the new features introduced above, we offer high quality/environmental solutions that support sustainable printing companies.

EX Edition
Lithrone GX40 advance EX Edition (GLX-740A)
UV-equipped 40-inch Seven-Color Sheetfed Offset Printing Press with Inline Double Coater

Super Short Makeready Minimizes Makeready Time
Komori's unique ink fountain film, coater and Semi-APC automate manual tasks, significantly reducing operator workload. Independent drives for the inker and coater enable color changes and coater plate changes to be performed in parallel during plate changes or ink roller cleaning, greatly reducing changeover time.

SUSTAINABLE FUNCTION

Smart Color Dramatically Reduces Color Changing Time and Materials for Packaging

*When performing seven-color separation

Smart Color is a solution that enables the reproduction of a wide color gamut by adding orange, green and violet to the four process colors. Komori's unique technology allows for minimal water usage without ink emulsification thanks to the Komorimatic dampening system.

Various Zones Convey Print Technology

The Komori booth consists of diverse zones such as the Print Technology Zone, the KP-Connect Zone and the Ecology Zone, presenting a wide array of print technologies. Komori offers technology that connects prepress, offset, digital and postpress and delivers ultimate solutions that protect printing companies' deadlines and environment while enhancing client trust.

KP-Connect Zone

KP-Connect Smart Factory Middleware

In the KP-Connect Zone, embodying the exhibition concept of Connected Automation, we visualize (monitor) everything from the operation of each device in the Komori booth to CO2 emissions in real-time and propose sustainable smart factories. Consolidation of digital information through KP-Connect will lead to Autopilot control of printing presses and AMR cooperation. In the booth, our technical staff will introduce connection examples and provide technical consultation. Komori will also introduce information on new products and functions as well as tips on how to use operating data.

Ecology Zone

Komori aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in order to realize a sustainable society. We develop environmentally friendly printing presses, equipment and systems and provide solutions that reduce the environmental impact. This contributes to increasing productivity and reducing power consumption and energy costs.
A new video summarizing Komori's environmental initiatives will be presented.

Print Technology Zone

We are excited to present a range of print technologies pioneered by Komori throughout its rich century-long history. Print technology, with its capability to reproduce virtually anything, stands as a cornerstone of future advancements. Our presentation will provide insights into the latest developments in Komori's printing business, highlighting the company's current achievements and innovations.

Printed Electronics (PE)

By utilizing printing technology to meet the growing demands in the manufacturing of semiconductors and electronic components, we reduce the burden on the environment and human resources. Innovative next-generation print technologies that are actively used in a variety of fields will be introduced with samples and videos.

Komori-Chambon

Komori-Chambon, member of the Komori Group, designs and manufactures in-line production systems for packaging, utilizing rotogravure, flexographic and offset printing, along with rotary diecutting, delivery and special finishing operations, providing end-to-end solutions.

Security Printing Machines

In the security printing business, we contribute to protecting the identities of individuals, companies, and nations throughout the world. In our exhibit you can see how we can bring together a wide variety of cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting processes to our example housenote (banknote sample).

Web Offset Press

The System G38 with Komori's H-UV L (LED) provides the high print quality of a sheetfed press with the high productivity of a web offset press, including low energy consumption. Take a look at the case studies of customers who have recorded overwhelming production volumes and the samples printed by the System G38.

KOMORI-Kare & K-Supply Zone

KOMORI-Kare is a new problem-solving service that makes customers' improvement activities visible and easy to understand by providing the know-how and knowledge that Komori has cultivated. We support our customers in a variety of ways, including preventive maintenance, upgrades, services, and the provision of materials.

Print Gallery

Customers from around the world can see a wide variety of colorful print samples produced with Komori printing presses.

drupa 2024 Information

Latest exhibition information for drupa 2024 is continuously updated on the information page. Please check it out.

https://www.komori.com/en/global/information/news/show_information.html