The newly unveiled KGC smart factory not only improves productivity of individual machines, but also overall productivity of printing plants through R&D, live demos, and education
Japanese printing press manufacturer Komori has announced the completion of the third phase of renovation of the Komori Graphic Technology Center (KGC) at its Tsukuba plant and is all set to begin operations as a smart factory.
The upgradation comes at a time when the printing industry is facing diversifying needs, including small lots and short delivery times as well as increasing material and energy costs and challenges in securing human resources. In this environment, flexible responses and changes are required to ensure stable profitability and contribute to a sustainable society.
The newly unveiled KGC smart factory not only improves productivity of individual machines, but also the overall productivity of printing plants through research and development, live demonstrations, and education in printing technology, keys to transforming the industry.
The modernised technology center is equipped with a central control room that tracks the progress of all printing processes in real time on multiple large monitors. Komori’s KP-Connect Pro – a sophisticated Manufacturing Execution System (MES) – enables scheduling and real-time collection of progress information across all production processes, allowing factory managers to centrally monitor and issue instructions for the entire plant from a centralised location.
In addition to visualisation via the central control room, KGC promotes the automation of the entire print workflow within the factory, by using advanced technologies such as the CTP sorting equipment or the Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) for carrying printing plates. Connected Automation – Komori’s smart factory concept – uses KP-Connect Pro as the core software to automatically link all printing workflows, from scheduling, prepress, press (offset and digital printing), postpress, colour management, quality inspection to in-house logistics.
Additionally, Komori launched the KP-Connect Alliance Program in 2016 in cooperation with key manufacturers and vendors. With the launch of the new smart factory, visitors can have a firsthand experience of Connected Automation developed in collaboration with Komori’s alliance partners.
Besides integrating workers and automated systems to maximise added value productivity, KGC reinforces personnel education and skills training. KGC’s printing college has traditionally provided hands-on training, seminars, and e-learning centered on printing machines. Moving forward, the scope of the educational curriculum will be expanded to include the construction and operation of smart factories.
The Komori Graphic Technology Center – established as a core institution of the Komori Group – will serve as an open innovation hub where Komori and its alliance partners along with printing companies can work together to push the boundaries of printing technology to maximise productivity and contribute to the development of the global printing industry.
