Koenig & Bauer Durst has unveiled its VariJET 106 Sheetfed Digital Press in a special world premiere with exclusive live demonstrations for customers and stakeholders in Radebeul, near Dresden, Germany. The modular, single-pass, sheetfed digital press for the folding-carton market, was jointly developed by OEMs Koenig & Bauer and Durst. Beta testing is expected to start in the coming weeks. The first units of the VariJET 106 are due to be installed at customer sites across Europe and North America in the second half of 2022. Target groups include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tobacco and food industries, as well as folding-carton converters. At the launch in Radebeul, which included presentations in Koenig & Bauer’s Customer Experience Center, senior executives unveiled further insights into Koenig & Bauer’s packaging strategy. Updates were also provided on how the digitalization of business processes for new products and services was progressing.
The B1, 5,500-SPH (Sheet Per Hour) press, combines digital inkjet with classic offset printing. The VariJET 106 was created using water-based inkjet processes that provide the highest possible print quality. The new digital printing system is based on Koenig & Bauer’s high-performance Rapida 106 platform, Durst printhead electronics, inkjet expertise, and Durst workflow and RIP technology. This includes Durst Analytics, Smartshop and Workflow. Using 7-colour, water-based, food-compliant inkjet technology (CMYK plus orange, green and violet), the VariJET 106 is suitable for food applications that meet the stringent requirements for food-safe primary packaging using proprietary water-based ink technology. The system can produce personalized and individualized print products and alternate between short and medium runs.
VariJET 106 benefits include:
• Modular integration of upstream and downstream processes
• Combination of digital print with proven modules of the Rapida platform
• Precise register accuracy via inline production
• Highly competitive TCO with efficient production of ultra-short to medium runs
• Reduced resource consumption, storage costs and waste
• Enhanced flexibility for test packaging and new campaigns
• Fast response to market demands
Koenig & Bauer and Durst first announced that they had joined forces and set up an independent joint venture company in 2019. The VariJET 106 is the first product that was jointly developed by the two companies. Already in production and part of the Koenig & Bauer Durst portfolio are the Delta SPC 130 Series and the CorruJET 170 Series for corrugated packaging.
“This world premiere marks a proud moment – and what a journey it’s been,” said Robert Stabler, Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer Durst. “We’re really excited by the progress we’ve made and the opportunities with our VariJET 106, despite these testing times. We have beta sites at an advanced stage of planning. These potential customers who already have a vision for mass customization, will be working with us in partnership. Feedback from our customers is that shorter run lengths, mass customization and the need to be more agile, are the compelling reasons for moving to digital production. Successful companies need to be able to embrace the trends that are occurring and offer solutions. Brand owners continually want their products to stand out and require shorter lead times, while at the same time eliminating waste and conforming to sustainability and track-and-trace requirements. Brand owners are also looking to ensure that the new production methods are reliable, compliant and cost effective, while converters need to have the capabilities and competencies to mass customize without any compromise on quality. We deliver on all this,” Stabler added.
