The Kolb group, a packaging company based in Memmingen in Southern Germany, has become the first company to install Koenig and Bauer’s new CorruJet press, marking a major milestone for both companies.
The CorruJet is a logical development for Koenig and Bauer, which has already developed two flexo presses for printing to corrugated boards – the CorruFlex and the CorruCut, which includes die cutting. The CorruJet is essentially a digital version of these. It is based on Koenig and Bauer’s RotaJet inkjet presses but designed specifically to print direct to corrugated sheets up to 1.7 x 1.3m. It uses Fujifilm Samba greyscale printheads, with 1200 dpi resolution and water-based inks. It prints in CMYK at speeds of up to 6,000sph on both coated and uncoated liners. It has a built-in coating unit for gloss or matt finishes and can process corrugated boards up to 8mm thick.
Christoph Müller, who heads up Koenig and Bauer’s Digital and Webfed division, explains: “In exactly the same way as for our analogue presses, the CorruFlex and CorruCut, we based the project specifications on a careful evaluation of the market and customer wishes. The Kolb Group is here an ideal partner with whom to further the development of our new CorruJet for digital post-printing on corrugated board.”
The Kolb Group started off as Hans Kolk wellpappe in 1933, establishing a cardboard factory in Memmingen. The company has grown into an international group with different divisions covering printing and packaging. It is currently led by second‑generation managing partner Alwin J. Kolb and managing director Dr. Bernhard Ruffing. The company opened a new site in Memmingen-Amendingen last year for Kolb DigitalSolutions, where the CorruJet will form the heart of a new production plant with integrated finishing and conversion.
Dr. Bernhard Ruffing, managing director of Hans Kolb Wellpappe, commented: “Differentiation, fast time-to-market scenarios, or reduced run lengths in conjunction with increased versioning – the demands expressed by our customers are forever changing.” He added: “Against this background, focus is naturally turning to the option of digital post-printing. With Koenig & Bauer and the CorruJet, we are well equipped to respond to future customer demands and can also open up new markets.”
The CorruJet is set to enter production with the Kolb group in the second quarter of 2019. You can read more about the Kolb Group here, and the CorruJet here.
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