Heidelberg has presented its latest innovation in 4D inkjet printing with its Omnifire 1000 system, revealing what it describes as ‘applications of the future’ at a European tradeshow.
According to Heidelberg, its 4D system Omnifire1000 can be used for direct printing on objects of different sizes, shapes and substrates such as helmets, suitcases and various sport apparel.
The press giant debuted the system at Italian tradeshow InPrint 2016 after a long period of research and development on the spectrum of printable objects and surfaces. Heidelberg says the Omnifire 1000 system complements the Omnifire 250 range already established on the market.
“What we are presenting is the customised future. Consumers today expect personalised, one-of-a-kind products. Manufacturers need an efficient and flexible industrial production process for this,” says Jason Oliver, head of digital at Heidelberg.
“That is precisely what 4D technology from Heidelberg offers with its Omnifire 250 and 1000 digital systems.”
[Related: Heidelberg hits turnaround profits]
Heidelberg selected German automotive supplier Ritzi Lackiertechnik as the pilot user for the Omnifire 1000 system, the business set to integrate the 4D application into its industrial production process to custom print both series parts and after-sales parts with a variety of coloured patterns.
The introduction of Omnifire 1000 marks part of the group’s overall path to digitisation, according to the supplier.
“Heidelberg already made the digitisation of the industry and digital printing the focus of its trade fair presence at drupa 2016 with the presentation of the Smart Print Shop,” it says.
“The digitisation of the printing industry and the enhancement of digital printing are the clear trends and main growth drivers in our industry. We have systematically geared our strategy towards this and are driving digitisation so that our customers can succeed in the market in the future also.”
Heidelberg implemented a digital strategy in 2013 under now retired CEO Gerold Linzbach that has resulted in the Primefire B1 sheetfed digital press, the Labelfire Gallus press, the Versafire rebadged Ricoh press, and now the Omnifire.
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I probably would have found this very impressive maybe a decade ago. It feels like Heidelberg is playing catch up, but they have to start somewhere and if this is the beginning of better and brighter things than good luck to them.