12/15/2021 10:00:00 CET, Reutlingen Ravensburger orders highly automated inkjet system for individual printing of products and packaging; order volume in the mid-single-digit million-euro range | Manz combines years of expertise in automation and digital inkjet printing to create a unique solution and technology competence | "direct2shape" printing enables efficient and flexible production with high productivity and reduced production costs
Manz AG, a global high-tech engineering company with a comprehensive technology portfolio, has received an order in the mid-single-digit million-euro range for an inkjet system to print on products and packaging for Ravensburger, one of Germany's leading manufacturers of games, puzzles, activity products and children's books.
The system concept developed by Manz AG is extremely flexible and enables the individual printing of a wide variety of products and packaging. This is possible thanks to direct printing on the surface of the end products (direct2shape) using the digital inkjet process without any complex conversions. In addition, the intelligent automation system realizes highly accurate printing at a resolution of 1200 dpi as well as maximum productivity at lower costs, since any downtime of the printer is eliminated.
The combination of direct2shape printing and Manz AG's automation solutions opens up many new application possibilities: For example, individual adjustments to the products are possible even with small batch sizes. Despite the great adaptability of the systems, they achieve a peak output per hour in the mid four-digit range.
Martin Drasch, CEO of Manz AG, comments: "The interaction of automation and printing technology is facing the highest demands due to the development towards digitalization, individualization and small batch sizes. Manz combines 'excellence in automation' and 'high-end inkjet expertise' to create a solution and technology competence that is unique in the market, thus enabling its customers to follow the trend towards ever greater individualization of end products at attractive prices."
In February 2021, Manz AG entered the field of digital printing technology for direct printing on components (direct2shape) by acquiring a share in CADIS Engineering GmbH, a specialist for industrial inkjet systems. This investment in a new technology is now already paying off with the order from Ravensburger for the first system suitable for mass production.
