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 Having successfully worked with JDF/JMF for more than years,
CIPPI Award winning printer Kraft Druck in Ettlingen, Germany, has integrated their
MBO K76 folders into their tried-and-tested JDF-workflow between HIFLEX MIS, Kodak’s
Prinergy prepress system and their three MAN Roland presses. |
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With the link to the MBO folder, the world’s first live, fully networked workflow
between prepress, press and postpress has been realised. The MBO folder is equipped with the machine control MPC-Control and the computerized
make-ready system Rapidset. The JDF-compatible software module "MBO Datamanager"
is used to link the MBO folder to HIFLEX MIS. The HIFLEX MIS system transfers CIP4-data
containing administrative information (job number, customer name, dates, print run, etc.)
as well as technical information (e.g. number, type and position of folds, folding catalog,
and details about side or head alignment) directly to the MBO Datamanager for automatic
make-ready. |
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At CIPPI Award winning printer Kraft Druck, the MBO folder has been integrated into the
live JDF network between the HIFLEX MIS, the Creo (Kodak) Prinergy prepress system, and the
MAN Roland presses, thus realizing the world’s first 4-way JDF connectivity in a printing
plant. |
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This direct transfer of data via JDF from HIFLEX MIS makes repetitive entry of
customer and job data obsolete. Make-ready times are reduced and consistent data guaranteed.
The JDF Network at Kraft also includes feedback from production. During folding,
up-to-the-minute information about the progress on the job, speed, good sheets and waste
is sent through the MBO-interface to the HIFLEX Scheduling application via JMF. |
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Werner Kraft (right), General Manager at Kraft Druck, received the "CIP4 International
Print Production Innovation Award" (CIPPI Award). The award was presented by Stefan
Daun (left), secretary at the CIP4 Organisation, in August 2005. With the CIPPI Award,
CIP4 recognizes Kraft Druck for their business improvements achieved by JDF connectivity. |
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In August 2005, CIP4 recognised Kraft Druck`s pioneering work be means of a CIPPI Award
("CIP4 International Print Production Innovation Award") in the category
"Biggest improvement in efficiency and customer responsiveness as a result of process
automation". By connecting their production systems to the HIFLEX MIS, Kraft Druck
realised enormous savings, which were measured by a long-term study on the Return on
Investment (ROI). The five-year ROI of the integration was 446%, which means that the
investment was paid back 5.46 times. |
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| The screenshot shows the order's schedule in the HIFLEX Scheduling application, which
simultaneously functions as the JDF-Controller. Up-to-the-minute production data from the
MBO folder is fed back to the HIFLEX System via JMF, where it is displayed in the schedule
(see lower left corner). |
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Kraft Druck anticipates that the automated transfer of JDF-data from the HIFLEX MIS to the
MBO folder will result in further workflow optimisations that will enhance productivity
even more: "Due to the JDF connectivity between HIFLEX, Creo and MAN Roland we
realised considerable time-savings in the area of job creation in Prinergy as well as in
PECOM. Moreover, we optimized the data-consistency between the linked systems and minimized
the make-ready times on our presses. I am absolutely convinced, that we will profit from
similar positive effects through the link between HIFLEX and the MBO folder," says
Thomas Brickwedde, head of office-based sales and IT-manager at Kraft Druck. |
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| Measurement of the folding sheet as displayed in HIFLEX. The HIFLEX System calculates the
layout of the folding sheet, which is prerequisite for the transmission of the folding
geometry to the MBO K76 via JDF. |
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The MBO Datamanager receives technical and administrative data directly from the HIFLEX
System via JDF. This data is used for automatic make-ready of the MBO K76. |
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Since 1977 Kraft Druck is based in Ettlingen, Germany. The printing company, comprising a
prepress, press and postpress department, employs 80 permanent staff and 20 freelancers.
Production is predominantly displays, illustrated books and weekly and monthly magazines
for major companies. The production of displays and cardboard products (including Computer
Aided Design, packaging creation and specimens), accounts for one third of the total
turnover and accounts for the company’s extremely high supra-regional profile. Catalogues
in several languages and multi-colored loose-leaf printing complete the range of products
in commercial printing. Furthermore, the digital studio (established in 2004) enables Kraft
Druck to carry out rapid production of advertising flyers, business stationery, brochures
and small posters with digital printing. Their in-house digital printing department produces
work on a Xerox DocuColor 6060. The current annual revenue is EUR 13m. In September, the
company added a 700 square meter production hall, and by February 2006, further investments
of EUR 5.5m. will be made – in three new MAN Roland offset presses, a folder gluer, and
other items. A sampling of Kraft Druck’s customers includes Pfizer, Milupa, Michelin and
L’Oreal. In August 2005, the CIP4 organisation announced Kraft Druck as the winner in the
international CIPPI Award in the category "Biggest improvement in efficiency and
customer responsiveness as a result of process automation". Kraft Druck is the first,
and currently the only, printing company that has networked prepress, press and postpress
with MIS and JDF. At the "Innovationspreis der Deutschen Druckindustrie 2005"
("German Printing Industry’s 2005 Innovation Award") Kraft Druck received further
awards. This included two first prizes in the categories "Direct Mail" and
"Print Advertising" and was the most successful "winner amongst winners". |
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