Driving digital die-cutting technologies

‘With the four cornerstones of packaging production – connectivity, digitalisation, automation and sustainability – front of mind, Bobst’s vision is to create a seamless supply chain where machines and tooling communicate with each other to deliver optimum quality and performance, while reducing errors, waste and costs at every point,’ comments Folding Carton Product marketing director, Bodo Junge. ‘The introduction of the Bobst Connect cloud-based workflow platform and TooLink digital recipe management tool enhance plant and machine automation to levels not seen before.’ 

According to Bodo, the Mastercut 106 PER is the only die-cutter that can be set from a single point of control. He emphasises that the automation of functions and settings, from ‘feeder to delivery’, results in minimal operator intervention during operation. 

The Matic Plus system completely automates stripping and blanking tools settings by using cameras to measure the position of tools and then aligns them automatically in register to the printed sheet. Other automated operations include the non-stop rack system in the delivery section, plus jam detection and setting.

Alex Volery, head of the Tooling Division, adds that by connecting the die-cutter with tooling, TooLink and its suite of IoT applications, positively impacts production flexibility, productivity, and job turnaround times. ‘TooLink provides packaging manufacturers with complete oversight of their dies, recipes and job histories, as well as access to a higher level of production data and insight,’ Alex states. 

He goes on to explain that the die-cutter is data-chipped with TooLink technology, creating a unique digital ID that enables instant recognition through the machine’s HMI. Chip-equipped tools are automatically detected, and a production-ready job recipe is provided, resulting in waste and time savings of up to 15 minutes during job changeovers. TooLink also allows automatic job recall without operator intervention.