Media & Substrates

We all talk about automation and making processes automatic to speed tasks up and to decrease production times. But what does automation really mean?

Here is the literal definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
automation
noun
au·to·ma·tion | \ ˌȯ-tə-ˈmā-shən \

Definition:
  1. the technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate automatically
  2. the state of being operated automatically
  3. automatically controlled operation of an apparatus, process, or system by mechanical or electronic devices that take the place of human labor

It is a very straight forward and easy to understand definition, but in the real world the definition of automation is a bit more complex:

Automation is the creation and application of technology by which a process or procedure is performed with minimal human intervention, this implies monitoring and controlling the production and delivery of products and services. All these are achieved by using a combination of various means: mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic devices.

Many industries apply automation in different ways, some in hardware others in software but all with the goal of improving production. One thing is for sure automation is evolving quickly and it is a new way to speed up processes, nonetheless there´s still a need for some form of manual intervention, even if the equipment can perform most of the tasks, an operator needs to at least supervise the operation to avoid mistakes.

Automation in Digital Printing

There are many ways that you can use automation in digital printing, the idea is to accelerate any process and to optimize times so operators can use their time more wisely and be less and less involved in the printing process.

Here are some ways automation can be implemented in digital printing:

• Automation software such as MIS, RIP, color management, Web to Print Software, Variable Data Composition, etc.
• Mechanical Arms to move media and substrates before or after printing
• Automated media handling, pallet-to-pallet: this allows you to place stacked media on a pallet into a feeder.
The feeder loads it onto a table, then moves it over a transition table into the printer.
The printed graphics move across the output side transition table and into a fully automated media stacker.
• In-line printing: if your pre-treatment, printer and finishing equipment are in-line, it is another way of optimizing time by automating the printing process and involving the operator to the minimum.

Benefits of Automation in Digital Printing:

There are many benefits of using automation in digital printing but her are a few:

    o Employees have more time to take on other roles
    o Improved quality or increased predictability of quality
    o Improved consistency of prints
    o Improved quality, accuracy, and precision
    o Increased throughput or productivity
    o Reduction of production time
    o Labor savings
    o Performs tasks that are beyond human capabilities of size, weight, speed, etc.
    o Provides higher-level jobs in the development, categorization, maintenance and running of the automated processes
    o Reduced direct human labor costs and expenses
    o Reduces some occupational injuries
    o Replaces human operators in tasks that involve hard physical or monotonous work

Many people believe that by using automation employees will be left out of a job and machines will take over, but I don´t think this is the objective of using automation, it is rather the optimization of time and the good use of it by current employees, who will now supervise tasks and use their time in other tasks.

Automation is gaining popularity and increasing in every business as technology evolves and becomes more sophisticated, it will certainly transform both the economy and workplace.


What-is-Automation-and-what-does-it-imply

Here you can see an example of pallet-to-pallet automated media handling on an EFI printer.


Published in Software

When it comes to sustainability, there are some industries, brands or products that immediately come to our minds, but when speaking about fashion you may be aware that it’s one of the most polluting industries of the world. Fast fashion has become a gigantic market and thousands of people buy clothes constantly and without measure. Huge fashion chains are growing nonstop and it’s not only shocking how much waste they produces per year, but the amount of carbon, heavy metals and plastics that end up in the sea are slowly hurting our planet. Fortunately for us, there are big brands that are environmentally aware of that and are doing something about it. That’s the case for Kornit Digital.


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Fashion environmental impact, courtesy of The Guardian.


Kornit Digital is a company that has been on the market for a while. Founded on 2002 and with offices in the USA, Europe and Asia Pacific. Their products are being sold in more than 100 countries all over the world. They develop and manufactures different types of products for the textile industry. Well-known for their NeoPigmen process and their sustainability standards Kornit have been implementing green practices to their processes to contribute to reduce the high impact the textiles industry creates.


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Kornit Atlas t-shirt printer exhibited at FESPA Munich 2019, FLAAR-REPORTS archive.


The company is very vocal about their beliefs and their actions to become a more sustainable brand each day. Kornit, as a leader brand in the fashion industry, as they mentioned, work with a zero-water waste and low carbon footprint policies, also they avoid manufacturing un-purchased clothes. All of this to reduce or minimize the environmental footprint. They believe in creating this mindset to performance better and greener practices in every steps of their processes.


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Waterless

It is shocking knowing the level of water waste on every conventional dyeing and textile printing process. The daily water consumption on a regular textile mill with a production of 8000 kg of fabric per day, goes for about 1.6 million litters, 16% for dyeing and 8% in printing. It takes about 500 gallons of water to produce enough fabric to cover a sofa. This without mentioning the water is polluted with toxic chemicals. Kornit’s technologies are reducing this high impact with a 100% waterless process utilized in every printing system they manufacture, getting rid of pretreatments, steaming or washing required.


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Printed samples at FESPA 2018, FLAAR-REPORTS archive


Neo Pigment Inks

Their revolutionary water-based inks are free of heavy metal, formaldehyde and Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APE). This makes in general the printing and dyeing process, a much more convenient in terms of non-hazardous, non-toxic and biodegradable. All their processes combined (waterless printing process, biodegradable inks and energy saving system) created an eco-friendly and a more sustainable alternative for textile printing.


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Compliance

Since day one they have been environmentally conscious and one of the commitments they have is to reduce the footprint of the company, their partners and customers through their sustainable policies that address the ever-changing industry needs and standards.


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Kornit Storm HD6 Color ICT exhibited at APPPEXPO 2019, FLAAR-REPORTS archive


So, despite apparel and fashion industries have been really harmful for the planet over many years behind, bid brands like Kornit are reducing this giant impact and providing more conscious options without leaving behind great quality and really good-looking products. So, if you are looking for greener options, always reach for companies with sustainable ideals.

Published in Textile Printing

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