Konica Minolta and MGI recorded over 200 sales at Drupa 2024. Their joint 2,400 m 2 ranked 7th largest at the international graphic arts trade show, attracted an audience well in excess of expectations.
Both manufacturers have unveiled more than 20 world premieres in commercial, label, packaging and industrial printing. These innovations focused particularly on digital transformation, sustainable development and programmatic printing, which integrates artificial intelligence for the use of variable data.
One of the stand's star products was mGI's AlphaJet capable of printing, varnishing, gilding and drying in a single pass.
"The demonstration of this 'smart factory' by Konica Minolta and MGI was the most advanced ever presented to the public" according to the two manufacturers.
L' Octopus Web, the digital reel-to-reel cutting machine, featuring 4-axis heads, was also on display.
L' AccurioJet 60000 konica Minolta's new-generation HS-UV inkjet press also attracted particular attention. This top-of-the-range model, based on AccurioJet KM-1e series technology, reaches an output of 6,000 B2 sheets per hour.
Similarly, the press AccurioPress C84hc from Konica Minolta, a world first, which uses High Chroma toner to produce "consistently bright, saturated colors" .
Visitors were also able to discover Konica Minolta's range of toner presses, including the AccurioPress C14000e (with more than 2,100 units installed worldwide) and labeling equipment AccurioLabel (1,500 installations).
The digital embellishment system JETvarnish 3D Web 400 from MGI won the prestigious Digital Embellishment Packaging award from the European Digital Press Association (EDP), which recognizes the best innovations in their category.
On the software side, Konica unveiled Ex Kansei eye-tracking predictive software, which uses a brand's visuals (packaging, online advertising, direct mail, advertising materials, etc.) to analyze the attention a product attracts, the impression it makes, color harmony, level of complexity and product positioning.
Konica Minolta also highlighted its remote maintenance solutions, including aIReLink application, a tool designed for maintenance technicians.
Olaf Lorenz, Managing Director International Marketing at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said: "We offered an overview of printing applications that visitors commented impressed and inspired them. As we witness the irreversible shift from analog to digital printing, we're helping customers see the potential of printing by opening up new development possibilities." He adds: "It was my fifth Drupa, and the one I'm most proud of.
