The HP Latex 1500 introduces a 3.20-meter-wide roll printer into large-format printing. The water-based latex inks deliver excellent colour reproduction for print products intended for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Compared with solvent-based printing systems, the inks contain fewer hazardous substances, including lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In addition, there is no solvent outgassing after printing, which means unpleasant odours are avoided. The printed substrates are dry immediately after output and can be laminated without delay.
The large-format printing department is being expanded with an XP600-Pro printer and PE600-Pro fixing unit for producing DTF graphics for textile printing. This system allows five-colour artwork to be printed onto transfer film and then transferred onto all types of textiles using the existing heat transfer press.
The Kern training initiative is entering its next phase. In cooperation with a partner, nine apprentices from Vietnam have been recruited to strengthen the areas of offset printing, large-format printing, print finishing and warehouse logistics as future skilled employees.
The existing photovoltaic system is being expanded with additional modules on Halls 4 and 5. Several charging stations for electric vehicles are also being installed to accommodate the growing number of electric vehicles used by employees and within the Kern company fleet.
As part of the regular replacement cycle, the existing Heidelberg Suprasetter 106 plate setter is being replaced with a current model. In addition, investment has been made in an Auto Pallet Loader (APL). Unlike the previous Dual Cassette Loader, the APL no longer requires printing plates to be loaded manually; unwrapped plates can be fed directly from the pallet.
As the first company worldwide, Kern is commissioning the Heidelberg StackStar C. The robotic stacking arm for automated delivery handling marks an important step toward a modern, future-oriented print finishing process.