Quantum Design partners with Hunkeler

The partnership is a result of several months of collaboration on a custom automatic splicing machine, the Hunkeler RS8 model, and an automatic turret rewinder, the Hunkeler TR8. These new machines are already being sold by Hunkeler as part of a complete in-line finishing system for the digital printing industry.  

Hunkeler displayed the both products at the in-house event, Innovationdays 2019, and had plans to showcase the equipment at drupa 2020 prior to the postponement of the event.  Following the initial launch in 2019 was very successful, over a dozen installations were completed and delivered to the US, Germany, Italy, and the UK in the first year. 

The RS8 is a shaftless automatic butt splicer with two shaftless roll positions that feed a continuous supply of material into the press while the integrated storage festoon eliminates the need to stop for changing rolls. In-register splicing capabilities are available for running pre-printed material which can reduce waste when re-registering.  

The TR8 automatic turret rewinder is designed with two shafted roll positions to continuously rewind rolls directly from the press, eliminating the need to stop the operations to remove rolls. The integrated festoon takes material from the press while the web is brought to a controlled stop for cutting and transferring to a new core.    

Both machines feature touch screen PLC controls. Hunkeler and Quantum are currently in the design stages of a third model that will be released and sold as part of Hunkeler’s finishing line in 2021. 

‘Hunkeler has a long-standing reputation as being an industry driver for new technology and innovation,’ said Derek Wheeler, VP of sales at Quantum Design. ‘We are excited to create this partnership to bring continuous process equipment to the digital marketplace. We are excited to see where future collaborations will take the both companies.’

‘Hunkeler continuously expands its portfolio with automation modules and features with our valued partners for the digital print finishing segment of the graphic arts industry,’ added Hans Gut, VP of marketing and partnering at Hunkeler. ‘With its KTI product line, Quantum Design brings a tremendous amount of experience and technology into the partnership. However, automation is only the first step in the process to connect, integrate and create an end to end workflow for automated technologies from start to finish.’