AB Graphic International welcomed more than 100 guests to its North American headquarters in Elgin, IL, USA for the Digital & Converting Summit. Attendees received live demonstrations, hands-on training, networking opportunities and partner presentations during the July 16-17 event.

During the Summit, AB Graphic highlighted the features of its wide range of finishing machinery. AB Graphic’s Jim Kehring led the event, providing demonstrations of the Digicon Series 3 and Digicon Lite 3, as well as the company’s range of Vectra turret rewinders and Omega Digicons, Omega SRI inspection rewinders and RTS sheeters. Guests also saw the new JetFX Digital Inkjet Embellishment unit, which featured side-by-side comparisons to flat-bed screen and flatbed hot foil.

In describing the event, Kehring said, “This is a hands-on event. We want you to experience the full capabilities of our machines. This is a great opportunity to see all of our products and features.”

Among the benefits of ABG’s newest line of equipment are modularity, versatility, and higher productivity. Plus, AB Graphic has decreased waste associated with its units.

The Digicon Series 3 has over 1,000 installations worldwide, capable of adding a wide range of finishes to various labels, packaging and shrink sleeves. The 50-ton capacity hot foil and embossing module allows for multiple foil feeding across and along the web, which creates new effects and finishes. Meanwhile, the Fast Track Die Cutting semi-rotary diecutting system is capable of running at 150 m/m, working inline with digital print engines.

“The Digicon Series 3, now in its third generation, is our flagship machine; this is our bread and butter,” said Kehring. “We have a lot of versatility, a lot of options with this machine. There are modular options, where you can pick and choose to satisfy your needs. Even just starting with the unwind you have quite a few options, and it just gets better the further down you go on the machine.

“You can do foil and embossing in one pass,” he added. “Trying to do that on multiple stations can be a headache, so to do it on one pass, with one plate, on the Digicon makes it a lot easier.”

The Digicon Lite 3 is an entry-level, compact digital finishing system built to the same standards as the larger Digicon Series 3. It is capable of running at 64 m/m in semi rotary and can operate inline (right to left only) or as a standalone unit.

“The Digicon Lite 3 just features different modules and a different configuration,” said Kehring. “Just a week ago, this was just an unwind, a flexo, a die and a rewind–then we added in the JetFX unit and it’s up and running. That just gives you a clear idea of how modular this equipment is and how the system can grow with your needs.”

The Digital & Converting Summit took place alongside a host of industry partners, including Actega, CERM, Domino, HP, RotoMetrics, and UEI Group. In addition, the live demonstrations featured materials from industry suppliers like K Laser and Yazoo Mills.

In line with AB Graphic’s message, partner Dscoop described the benefits of attending the event, which will return to Orlando, FL in March 2020. According to Keith Wilmot, Dscoop CEO, an active Dscoop company is 15% more profitable than non-active companies, with an emphasis on printing smarter, faster and more profitably.

“It’s a really good idea to be involved with Dscoop because you’re going to benefit from it,” said Wilmot. “You’re going to grow two times faster. We have thousands of stories of how membership leads to future business growth.”

Located in Booth 6A37, AB Graphic will once again return to Brussels, Belgium with a strong presence at Labelexpo Europe. The headline show for the label industry will take place from September 24-27 at the Brussels Expo.