Bobst launches folder-gluer for e-commerce as pandemic ups digital retail demands
08 Feb 2022 --- Print and packaging technology manufacturer Bobst is releasing a new e-commerce version of its Expertfold 165 folder-gluer. The larger version of the high-tech Expertfold 145 I 165 folder-gluer is now available with innovations for digital retail.
Featuring a “highly configurable and modular design,” the folder-gluer is designed to deliver greater flexibility and versatility, with two new modules added to the 165 version: Polyvacuum and Gyrobox.
“The objective is to add value under the pressures of e-commerce,” says the company. “Already available for the Masterfold 170 and 230, these two unique modules have been customized for the Expertfold 165 and are now available on this flagship for the folding-gluing of litho-laminated boxes.”
Polyvacuum for versatility
The launch demonstrates the Bobst approach to product development, says the company, meeting the changing needs of converters “head-on.”
Polyvacuum was designed to unlock versatility. Bespoke upper transports allow the installation of external application tools, while the lower vacuum transports ensure “extremely” stable transport of the blanks.
Polyvacuum allows the machine to fit special folding devices and in-line applicators of strips and self-adhesive tapes needed for e-commerce boxes.
Gyrobox for speed
Gyrobox is a system that can pivot blanks at any angle from 0° to 180° in the running direction. Enabling converters to keep pace with heightened e-commerce demands, Gyrobox rotates boxes that normally require two passes in one pass.
“Across the retail sector, there has been an unmistakable surge in e-commerce as shoppers quickly turned to online during the pandemic,” comments Pierre Binggeli, product line director folder-gluers at Bobst.
Bobst is innovating machinery for the booming e-commerce market (Pictured here: The Expertfold 145 | 165).“This [new demand] brings added pressures onto brands and converters they rely on. As ever, we evolve our products to meet the needs of converters right here, right now – and in the future. With the Expertfold 165 e-commerce version, we’re offering a dedicated evolution of our tried and tested machine with additional tools for digital retail.”
The Gyrobox system can rotate left to right or right to left, allowing complex boxes to be run at speeds of up to 250 m/min. Even when Gyrobox is not used, blanks can be folded and glued without any hindrance at full machine speed.
This module enables the fast and cost-efficient production of specialty boxes, further increasing the potential for diversification, together with Polyvacuum, says Bobst.
Bobst glues over pandemic cracks
These releases come as Bobst adds an increasing number of folder-gluer solutions to the packaging and printing market.
Recently, the company introduced the Novafold – “one of the most diverse and high-performance folder-gluer ranges available to today’s packaging printers and converters.”
Three Novafold models are designed to help packaging companies boost capacity and end-product quality with reliability, precision and versatility.
Last year, Innova Market Insights pegged “Home Delivery Haven” as its top packaging trend, noting that e-commerce expanded exponentially through the COVID-19 pandemic. Home food delivery soared due to lockdowns and social restrictions, driving up machinery innovation for delivery packaging.
Yesterday, we explored Bobst’s digital printing technologies for the evolving labeling and packaging landscape.
By Louis Gore-Langton
