28 April 2022

New BOBST EXPERTFOLD 50-80-110 unveiled to Japanese market

Packaging converters in Japan can now benefit from the versatility and unrivalled quality delivered by the BOBST EXPERTFOLD 50-80-110 folder-gluer, following its launch to the Japanese market.

The machine is set to replace the long-standing EIGER folder-gluer and promises to be even more robust, offering greater time-saving benefits and available with a range of devices and peripherals to boost productivity even further.

Miyazaki Tetsushi, General Manager at Bobst Japan said: “We are proud to introduce this workhorse folder-gluer to the Japanese market. With the EXPERTFOLD, converters can produce an impressive number of box styles, in a wide range of materials, at speeds of up to 450 meters per minute. Bringing outstanding efficiency, precision and performance, the robust folder-gluer offers great time-saving benefits and can be equipped with a range of devices and peripherals to boost productivity even further.”

Converters in Japan will also be able to choose to invest in a new multi-purpose version of the machine, the BOBST EXPERTFOLD 110 A3. This configuration includes new integrated dedicated modules to produce crash-lock and 4- and 6-corner boxes, alongside straight-line boxes without compromising speed or performance. The modules make job changeovers, from one box type to the next, faster and easier.

Mr. Miyazaki continued: “The new A3 version has been developed to ensure we are continually meeting the needs of converters and the market, today and into the future. With the integrated dedicated modules there is no need to swap out tooling and conveyors for different box types. As a result, set up times are reduced by a huge 80%, uptime is optimized and changeover times are shortened significantly - great advantages when dealing with short run requests!”

The EXPERTFOLD is available with BOBST devices, GYROBOX and SPEEDWAVE, which enhance the machine’s flexibility and performance further.

GYROBOX boosts the production line efficiency by simplifying complex box production. By rotating blanks in-line, between two folding processes, it allows for the rapid folding-gluing of complicated and added value boxes in a single pass. It also optimizes creativity and innovation, enabling diversification in the types of boxes and cartons that can run on the line and presenting new market opportunities to customers.

Meanwhile, SPEEDWAVE is a patented device for high-speed operations for crash-lock cartons and various other special boxes. It enables hook-free folding, delivering greater stability in the folding process, while letting cartons run closer together. This can give 20% productivity increase. In addition, the device requires 80% less tooling to be set and simplifies the line setting for such cartons, shortening valuable set-up time and ultimately, increasing productivity.

BOBST also offers peripherals to complement its high-speed folder-gluer range to meet market needs for higher throughput. These include EASYFEEDER/BATCH INVERTER 4 and CARTONPACK 4/ Case Erector.

EASYFEEDER ensures smoother and faster feeding of blanks, while BATCH INVERTER 4 reduces manual input requirements; loading of blanks requires less effort and manual inversion is removed altogether - production is uninterrupted and downtime dramatically reduced.

At the end of folder-gluing lines, CARTONPACK 4 and Case Erector provide fully automated, intelligent packing of all types of boxes and cartons. On one hand, the Case Erector prepares shipping containers, at a speed of up to 10 shipping boxes per minutes. On the other hand, the CARTONPACK 4 fills the shipping containers with folded and glued cartons, and inserts sheet layers, with minimal operator intervention. The solution can pack more than 200,000 boxes per hour and can run for up to 30 minutes without an operator. It significantly increases productivity of the line, while reducing the production workload and risk of repetitive strain injury.

Mr. Miyazaki concluded: “Our focus continues to be one of adding value for our customers around the world. We are delighted to introduce the EXPERTFOLD, with all its complementary devices and peripherals, to the Japanese market. We are committed to ensuring our customers have the solutions and technology available that will set them apart from their competitors and deliver boxes and cartons of the very highest standard.”

Bobst Japan Ltd