Bobst India hosted a very successful three-day Open House, Competence ’15, at its Pune plant to highlight automation technologies designed to help packaging manufacturers maximize profits. On display was the LILA II 145, a brand new folder-gluer, which had its world premiere at the event. There were two more products on display — the recently launched Novacut 106 ER diecutter and the Accucheck in-line inspection system. Shardul Sharma reports.
Bobst’s partners who showcased new technologies were present at Competence ’15. The partners included Baumer hhs, Billerud Korsnas, Esko, HB Fuller, Henkel, Nan Pao, Pidilite, Provin Technos, Robatech, Siemens Financial, Tata Capital, Welbound Worldwide and WH Leary. With representatives from more than 120 companies as well as Bobst’s existing and potential customers in attendance, the event was a success. Venugopal Menon, VP, Indian sub-continent, Business Unit, sheetfed was in conversation with Packaging South Asia to share more details about the event.
PSA: What was the philosophy behind organizing Competence ’15?
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Venugopal Menon: ‘Profit-making Packaging through Automation’ was the theme for Competence’15. The theme of the event conveys the underlying message that in today’s competitive business automation in the production process will be the key to be more cost-effective, minimize dependence on labour, minimize wastage and thus be more operationally efficient.
The Open House was organized to showcase some pathbreaking technologies in the converting process in folding cartons and to invite discerning customers to our factory to showcase what Bobst is doing in India and also to demonstrate the efficacy of these technologies on display.
PSA: There were three products on display — Novacut 106 ER, LILA- II 145 folder-gluer and Accucheck. Why were these products chosen to be displayed at the event?
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VM: The Bobst technologies presented included the recently launched Novacut 106 ER diecutter, which was demonstrated with blank separation for both single and double cut layout at full speed. In-line blanking on a diecutter is comparatively a new process for folding carton converters in India and at present a majority of folding carton makers in this region diecut jobs with stripping or without stripping done manually. This new Novacut gives carton makers access to in-line blank separation without the production or investment headaches they might expect from the process. In fact Bobst India has also ventured into manufacturing and supply of local made blanking tools with Angle Lock technology for our discerning customers to ease out the process and tooling cost.
Also on display was an Expertfold 80 A-2 folder-gluer with Accucheck in-line inspection system. This system checks 100% of a folder-gluer’s output for defects, rejecting any non-conforming boxes. Visitors closely questioned the Bobst product specialists when they came to see the real capabilities of this equipment. In fact three Accuchecks have been sold in India with two machines installed and running while the third will be installed in the coming summer.
Making its world debut was the new LILA II, which impressed both folding carton and corrugated board packaging makers with its smooth blank transportation, excellent folding quality and high productivity, handling both micro-flute and heavy corrugated board with ease. This folder-gluer represents an extension of the successful LILA range of machines for litho-laminated box production on 145 cm and 170 cm widths needed by corrugated packaging manufacturers. LILA II is fast running and quick setting, delivering the productivity needed to reduce cost for a box. The machine is also available in 106 cm and 126 cm widths for folding carton and litho-laminated box production.
PSA: LILA had a world premiere at Competence ’15. What are some of the salient features of the new machine?
VM: The LILA II is a newly designed machine with new and rigid frames to convey and process heavy board. The machine has a new long folding section and redesigned corrugated kit which helps in better folding quality minimizing gap and fishtailing. The new pneumatic lifting CLB frames and modular design with optional Matic setting function will help in faster set-up times for jobs. The new improved belt conveyor and new designed bearings bogies will help in better grip and conveying of fluted and heavy board through the machine.
PSA: LILA -II is a machine designed and made in India. What was the reason for going in for local production? How did the process come through?
VM: The new LILA II is a joint R&D project of the team in India and at Bobst Mex and we are proud that the machine has to a great extent been designed and produced by Bobst in India. The LILA II machines produced at our Pune factory will be for both domestic markets and exports to both developed and emerging economies.
PSA: How many visitors did you host during the three days? Also tell us about the profile of the visitors.
VM: We had customers and their representatives from more than 120 companies visiting us during the Open House with customers from India, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh and the Middle East. We had many of our existing and new prospective clients attending this event from 26 to 28 February.
PSA: What was the initial visitor feedback about the three products? Did you manage to strike any deals during the event or generate any strong leads?
VM: Customers showed keen interest in all the three technologies presented and were ready with apt queries which were put to the Bobst specialists present at the Open House. We had deals which were closed during the show for both diecutters and folder-gluers and few interesting leads were also generated at the show. Complimenting the demonstrations of machines Bobst’s partners presented new technologies in a range of areas from window patching to adhesive application and from board composition to robotization, as well as showcased new finance products.
PSA: Tell us about Bobst’s partnership with Esko.
VM: Bobst in India has partnered with Esko for the blanking tooling project. Wherein Esko has sponsored the Kongsberg table V series and related software which can be utilized by our team for the tooling project this will also be a great opportunity for both parties to demonstrate their end-to-end solution with Bobst equipment and Esko products at the Bobst India Competence Centre.
