smartGPS - Graphic positioning system

The Graphic Positioning System or smartGPS, first introduced in 2008, is one of BOBST’s major pioneering innovations in the development of digitalized automation for the CI flexo printing industry. Unlike conventional set-up operations that are carried out onboard the press, with smartGPS all registration and impression settings are generated automatically off-line at the plate mounting stage.

Always looking to further develop digital technologies for the advantage of the users, smartGPS has continued to be incrementally updated, in terms of synchronizing the workflow with the new generation CI flexo presses and enhancing performance.

CI flexo printers operating smartGPS equipped presses benefit from a significant cost and time reduction:

• smartGPS completes the setup of an 8-color press in less than 6 minutes, instead of 30 to 40 minutes required by a conventional set-up
• The impression and register setting procedure generate a substrate waste that averages 15m
• The system avoids the need to set up impression and register while the substrate is running in the press, virtually eliminating waste of ink, solvent, energy, and labour costs. At the same time, it significantly decreases changeover time and press downtime
• The whole process is carried out offline, it is fully automatic, and easy to use. It delivers the same print quality results and press productivity on each working shift, irrespective of the skill level of the different operators.

smartGPS technology is a key component on mounters delivered by BOBST with an integrated measuring bar and measuring head, this guarantees the highest level of accuracy and stability.
smartGPS is also available as retrofit on installed on CI flexo presses, to enable converters to bring new agility to their flexo printing operation by shifting the production/set-up ratio dramatically in favour of production.