Xeikon hits the ground running with Cheetah technology

Cheetah was introduced at Labelexpo Americas 2014 and has seen a number of machines already installed at beta test sites in the US and Europe, including at CS Labels which signed an agreement to acquire a second CX3 on the Xeikon stand in hall 9 on the first day of Labelexpo Europe 2015. Xeikon’s aim is to sell 20 CX3 machines by the end of the year.

In support of the growth with its newest press technology, Xeikon detailed Fusion, which it describes as ‘breakthrough technology for fully automated digital labels and packaging production’, and offering high-end label production in one pass, on one platform and totally digital. Fusion is a concept to deliver fully automated, unattended label and packaging production from customer order to delivery. Fusion Technology combines full color production printing with digital embellishment of labels and packaging in a single, one-pass and fully digital production process. Fusion will consist of a series of embellishment modules released over time that are not just put in-line with the press, but are components of an entirely new modular system with the digital front-end taking care of pre-press, data processing, color management and press operation as well as full control and operation of all embellishment modules without manual intervention.

Potential digital embellishment modules include: hot/cold foiling; screen prints; matte, gloss and structured flood and spot varnish; and a digital braille module. Because every embellishment module is digital, every single design element can be made variable or personalized, and depending on the requirements, these digital embellishment modules can be positioned before and/or after the Xeikon digital 5-color press. The resulting configuration produces a digitally printed and embellished label or package in one pass.

At Labelexpo Europe, Xeikon is showing one of several possible future configurations to illustrate the potential of combining full color digital printing and digital embellishment technologies. The set-up at the show is producing full color or digital screen white self-adhesive labels. The digital screen white is generated by a module separate from the 5-color printing module, but both modules are driven by the same digital front-end in an automated production workflow.

Xeikon also used Labelexpo Europe 2015 to announce the opening of a new sales office in Mexico, with Julian Robledo, owner and managing drector of long-time Xeikon partner Jetrix, to lead the Xeikon Mexico operation.

This follows the extension of its presence in Asia with demonstration centers recently opened in Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo. Day two of Labelexpo Europe 2015 saw Xeikon welcome a delegation from Japan on to its stand.

Wim Maes, Xeikon CEO, said these developments underline and reinforce its new tagline, ‘direct. dedicated.digital’.

‘2015 is going to be a good year for Xeikon, with Europe and the US performing strongly. We also expect growth in Asia.’