Label Academy to host Industry 4.0 virtual master class

Industry 4.0 will be presented by Labels & Labeling editor James Quirk, who will be joined by guest speakers from several companies, including Baldwin Technology, Global Graphics, Esko, X-Rite Pantone, MPS, Cerm, Label Traxx, HP Indigo, Grafotronic and Traent.com. The master class will also be split into two two-hour parts; part one will take place on Thursday, April 28, and part two, a week later, on Thursday, May 5. 

The first part will provide an overview of Industry 4.0, with sessions including blockchain and data transparency, plus automating pre-press and quality control. The second part will focus on automation of the printing process, with sessions including flexo and digital printing, automating finishing, and a case study example of the automation process - from the press right through to the warehouse.

‘In the last two years, we have seen ever-increasing automation of the label and package printing industry at all levels, turbocharged by the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic,’ commented Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director of Labelexpo and Labels & Labeling. 

‘It is vitally important for converters, and indeed anyone involved in label and package printing production, to equip themselves with the knowledge to turn their printing operation into a highly efficient, profitable Industry 4.0 powerhouse. This virtual master class offers an unparalleled opportunity to do that, and I urge everyone to attend,’ added Thomas-Emans.

‘There are many advantages to automation that are of practical benefit to printers and converters,’ added Mike Rottenborn, CEO of Global Graphics and one of the speakers. ‘I’m looking forward to turning the spotlight onto the many different aspects of this topic, from pre-press to color to Industry 4.0 manufacturing. These master classes are one of the best platforms to share this knowledge with industry peers.’

Rob Mayerson, president of Label Traxx, also one of the speakers, said: ‘We look forward to demonstrating how your MIS can automatically interact with your digital presses to create a connected and informed value stream. We will show how job ticket data and files flow to the press, followed by real-time data flowing back to inform the MIS and, therefore, the organization. Watch projected completion times inform the scheduling process, and actual cost data inform your decision-making. Label converters no longer need to tolerate isolated, disconnected islands of automation.’

The Industry 4.0 virtual master class costs 95 USD per session. Recordings for all sessions will be made available on-demand, with subscribers to Label Academy Premium content online having full access to these.