swissQprint showcased an automation option at drupa 2024, designed to maintain high productivity in flatbed printing by relieving operators of unloading tasks.
The new automation module removes processed media up to 3.2×2 metres from the flatbed printer’s table, streamlining the handling large runs. Loading would continue to be done by hand.
swissQprint gathered initial customer feedback as part of the development process. “drupa is the perfect opportunity to show the conceptual study and collect broad-based feedback that will go into final development,” explains Carmen Eicher, Chief of Sales and Marketing Officer at swissQprint. Once tailored to market needs, the finished product is expected to be available in 2025.
Phil Trumble, Managing Director swissQprint explains, “People who buy a swissQprint machine love the fact that its flexible. You can print tandem, front and back of the table, you can print full sheets, small sheets, etc. However, we also have clients that have bigger runs and higher production volumes. As the machines have become faster the more automation has become a focus for swissQprint because the faster the machine prints, the more human interaction is required for unloading and loading the sheets.
“SwissQprint has developed this unloading option to enhance productivity. The idea is that the machine will unload the sheets for you, so the operator is still manually loading the sheets on to the onto the table, but they are no longer having to also remove the sheets. This means that you only need to have one operator just feeding the machine constantly as the sheets are being unloaded automatically. Also the automation module is an option and can be added at any time, it can also be docked when not in use,” concludes Phil.
