A Fairy Tale of Connection and Cutting-Edge Printing Technology

With a setting that feels like you've stepped into a fairy tale, complete with storybook architecture and snow-capped Alps in the distance, Hunkeler Innovationdays in Lucerne, Switzerland was a memorable event. Today concluded the fifteenth edition of Innovationdays, an event for partners held every two years by Hunkeler AG. The event highlights innovations from prepress; digital printing and finishing; substrates; consumables; robotics; and finishing materials, in an intimate trade show setting.

This year's event featured the theme "Connect." That feeling of connection was omnipresent at the event. Whether through the physical connections of partner equipment on display or the connections made by people in the aisles of the show floor or at networking-type events after hours. Mark Hunt, director of strategic alliances at Standard Finishing Systems, described the event best on the first day, "It's all about the partnerships."

With 120 exhibitors at this year's edition, it's impossible to mention everything on display. However, here are some highlights to give you a taste.

Hunkeler GEN8 EVO

Hunkeler

As the host of the event, Hunkeler set the standards high with a world premiere of its GEN8 EVO roll-to-stack solution. The solution aims to provide simple and intuitive job changeover and setup, as well as a four-color system to identify operating status immediately and efficiently.

The Starbook Sheetfolder, which was a world premiere at drupa in 2024, was also on display with a near-line configuration of the company's new pallet feeder. The system enables fully automatic, on-the-fly format adjustments and is designed for flexibility and versatility.

Muller Martini

Muller Martini, which acquired Hunkeler in 2023, showcased for the first time a complete end-to-end solution from Muller Martini, Heidelberg, HP, and Hunkeler. Also on display was the Muller Martini Prinova saddle stitcher with Hunkeler unwinder UW8 and cutter CS8. The saddle stitcher operates at 9,000 cycles per hour and provides for fully automated adjustments.

Canon

At this year's event, Canon was celebrating 10 years of sheetfed inkjet technology.

"At the booth, we have an infinity loop, and that really speaks to how we think of technology innovation," Jennifer Kolloczek senior director, Marketing and Innovation at Canon EMEA, said. "It's enabling certain businesses to create a vision, and then from their vision, often there comes new technology innovation. We wouldn't be celebrating 10 years of sheetfed inkjet innovation, if it weren't for the drive and the push from our customers."

At the Canon booth was the ProStream 2133, capable of printing at speeds up to 133mpm, shown in-line with the Hunkeler web extender WE8 and Gen8 roll-to-roll solution.

Ricoh

On display at the Ricoh booth were both the Ricoh Pro VC40000 (its premiere in Europe) and the Pro VC80000. The focus in the booth, and specifically on the VC80000, was automation, something that Mark Little, senior director, Global Product Marketing, for the company said is based on the needs of its customers.

"I ask it every focus group, every time I get a customer and it's labor, it is labor, labor, labor," he said. "So, putting the automation in a press like that starts to really solve those challenges."

Highlighted is Ricoh Predictive Insight, which was first introduced on the Pro VC80000. It provides data driven insights into device utilization and operator productivity, predictive maintenance, and machine learning .

SCREEN

At SCREEN's booth, the Screen TruePress Jet 560HDX was on display with the Hunkeler Gen8 roll-to-stack solution and Unwinder UW8, as well as the TruePress Jet 520NX with the Gen8. The technology highlighted efficiency, flexibility, and versatility.

HP

"Your next offset press is digital," Marc Johnson, senior global market development manager at HP, said during a booth tour on day one. The company made it clear that its goal is to provide digital technology with an offset look and feel on the widest media range. This along with a focus on intelligent automation, AI, and new CMYK+ and PIP+, "HP Indigo's next-generation supplies."

It was running demonstrations of the HP Indigo 120k and showcasing the HP Pagewide Advantage 2200 in-line with the Hunkeler Starbook Plowfolder and integrated Harris & Bruno coater.

HP Indigo 120K

Fujifilm

For those looking for a solution intended for transactional and book printing, Fujifilm was showcasing its JetPress 1160CF inkjet system with the Hunkeler Gen8 roll-to-stack solution. The system's speed, quality, and flexibility with speeds up to 160mpm at 1,200x600 dpi was highlighted.

Kodak

Making its debut overseas, Kodak showcased its PROSPER 7000 turbo press, printing with water-based Kodak EKTACOLOR inks in a roll-to-roll configuration. The company deems it as the "world's fastest inkjet press," reaching speeds up to 410mpm for high-volume production.

Kodak PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press

As the fifteenth edition of Hunkeler Innovationdays comes to a close, the spirit of connection and innovation remains. With groundbreaking technology, valuable partnerships, and a stunning backdrop, the event once again proved why it’s a must-attend for the industry.

The next edition of the event will take place February 22-25, 2027.