Mex, Switzerland – As the global leader in printing and converting equipment and services, BOBST is advancing its folding-gluing machine range with new features aimed at enhancing connectivity, reducing setup time, and driving sustainability.
In 2021, BOBST introduced the A3 version of the EXPERTFOLD 50/80/110, designed to significantly reduce changeover time—cutting the transition between crash-lock bottom boxes and 4&6-corner boxes by an impressive 80%. Two years ago, the inclusion of pneumatic ramps further reduced feeder setup time by 20%, and the addition of the HMI SPHERE interface future-proofed the EXPERTFOLD for a new era of connectivity.
The latest version of this versatile folder-gluer now features a fully Matic setup, optional remote job recipe management, and a motorized, independent glue unit that helps save energy. These updates represent another crucial step in realizing BOBST’s vision for connectivity, digitalization, automation, and sustainability.
Improved Uptime with Matic Setup and ACCUPRESS
The new EXPERTFOLD 50/80/110 allows converters to opt for motorized lateral positioning of the upper and lower transport equipment, fully automating the setup of the machine’s main elements through a Matic setting. This innovation saves up to 10 minutes of setup time per changeover.
Additionally, the new ACCUPRESS feature helps save an extra 5 minutes at delivery by enabling automatic setup of the pressure zones for optimal glue adherence with each box. The HMI SPHERE allows operators to recall and set up these zones quickly and easily.
The SPHERE HMI also connects directly to the BOBST Connect cloud-based platform, offering access to equipment performance data and enabling seamless communication across the converting workflow. With the ability to store up to 5,000 job recipes, operators can now streamline changeovers by recalling the desired job recipe via the HMI, improving overall efficiency.
Proactive Shift Preparation with Digital Job and Recipe Management
Job recipes for the EXPERTFOLD can now be prepared in advance in the back office and sent directly to the folder-gluer. This allows for proactive job preparation, precise planning, and continuous follow-up. The recipe delivered to the machine guides the operator with a list of planned jobs, eliminating the need for recipe creation or consulting production plans.
Once the job is loaded onto the machine, the Matic system automatically sets up the main elements, and the back office is notified when the job has been successfully downloaded. This feature ensures better continuity, precision, and communication, particularly during shift changes.
This connectivity allows for faster and more efficient production preparations, continuous optimization, and seamless transition across shifts, operators, and machines. With BOBST Connect Essential, converters gain access to performance and equipment monitoring data, including productivity reports, output quality variations, and production summaries per machine and plant. Analyzing data per job, shift, or day helps identify trends and supports fact-based decision-making.
Energy Efficiency and Cost-Savings
The SPHERE system’s energy consumption monitoring offers valuable insights for converters looking to identify potential savings. In addition, the latest EXPERTFOLD upgrades include an independent gluing unit, which allows the gluing station to run while the rest of the machine is on standby. This feature ensures that the glue does not dry, reducing waste and maintaining gluing quality. The motorized unit helps conserve glue and reduces the need for manual cleaning, saving up to 5 hours of maintenance time per week.
A Commitment to Flexibility and Efficiency
Pierre Binggeli, Head of Product Line Folder-gluers at BOBST, summed up the latest changes to the EXPERTFOLD 50/80/110: “These new features highlight our dedication to the BOBST vision and our commitment to providing converters with comprehensive solutions for flexible, efficient, and high-quality packaging production, both now and in the future. The unique modularity of the EXPERTFOLD makes it adaptable to various production needs, and the integration of automation and machine peripherals, such as the CARTONPACK 4, increases efficiency. However, it’s the connectivity that will revolutionize production management, transforming workflows across people, equipment, and locations.”
