With the theme of ‘Connectable Factory Automation’ presentations will focus on inline finishing systems configured to reduce touchpoints, save on labour costs and increase productivity.

This year Horizon has partnered with Canon, Fujifilm, Konica Minolta, Miyakoshi Printing Machinery, Ricoh, Riso, Ryobi MHI and Screen for the event. On show will be 17 different solutions, with some set to debut new workflows combining pre-press, press and finishing processes designed for streamlined and more efficient production lines.

Two highlights will be the workflow demonstrations on the Ricoh and Screen stands.

During the Ricoh session Horizon will demonstrate its flagship, BQ-500 four-clamp perfect binder running inline with two cut-sheet presses. As book blocks exit the first press, they will be scanned which triggers the second press to begin printing the cover. The cover is then fed directly into the binder when the book block arrives with zero operator intervention.

Meanwhile, the Screen demonstration will feature the TruePress Jet web press running inline with the BQ-500 binder. First cover sheets will be printed and then loaded onto a feeding device connected to the binder's cover feeder. Each cover will then be scanned and that job order sent to the web press to begin production. Once the printed book block reaches the binder the correctly matching cover will be automatically fed, reducing touchpoints and the risk of mis-matched covers.

Other demonstrations will include high-speed inline web press and book block creation with Miyakoshi, exploring how an efficient workflow can reduce both labour costs and footprint.

Riso will show fully automated, operator-free production from unprinted sheet to finished book. Fujifilm and Canon will show various optimised greetings, business card and cover sheet production, among other things, as well as highlighting labour cost and turnaround time reduction strategies, while Konica Minolta will run a system for greeting and business cards inline with a rotary die-cutter.

Meanwhile, the RMGT will demonstrate automated production of folded signatures, palletised by a robotic arm and transported by AGV, in a compact footprint.

Sessions and presentations will be live-streamed for those outside Japan, who are unable to attend in person due to ongoing travel restrictions, as well as being recorded to help with time difference issues.

On the opening day attendees will be introduced to Horizon and the Smart Factory with the rest of the week focused on product demonstrations. Virtual attendees can book into morning or afternoon product tours with options available to book into more detailed demonstrations in between.

“It’s all about boosting productivity, reducing touchpoints and cost and basically maximising efficiency,” said Jason Seaber, technical sales director at Horizon’s exclusive UK agent, IFS.

“As well as their standalone systems, Horizon is making good progress with collaborations with the leading printer vendors to offer new inline solutions. Inline finishing doesn’t work for every customer but Horizon recognises the need for more automation and fewer touchpoints and that is really the theme of next week’s show,” he added.

Seaber said that with printers continuing to boost their digital kit there was a growing need for investment in finishing technology.

“We’ve noticed that there has continued to be a lot of growth with investment in particular in digital print, through the pandemic, and if those companies want to realise the benefits of those investments they need to invest in more automated finishing. If they don’t do that they aren’t making the most of their printing investment,” he stated.

IFS managing director Eric Keane added: “Horizon’s view is that investing in their latest print finishing automation is essential if printers are to be competitive in today’s demanding market. Achieving the highest productivity and output through automation are key factors for dealing with the rising cost of labour.”

This year’s Horizon Smart Factory event takes place from October 18-22, 2021, at Horizon Innovation Park, Japan.

The 10,000sqm HIP incorporates an international showroom, training facilities, conference hall, R&D department, broadcasting studio, cafeteria, and print lab with all devices in the showroom connected via Horizon’s bindery control system iCELiNK, which will also be showcased during the event.