Highcon Announces the Shape 3D Machine, Shows Portfolio of Products at drupa

YAVNE, Israel — June 1, 2016 — Under the slogan “Unleashing the Power of Paper” at drupa, in Hall 9, C50, Highcon revealed an entire world of applications that can be achieved by its digital finishing customers. From traditional print applications, such as folders and packages to paper fashion, large-format display items, and all the way to 3D models made of paper.

Even before reaching the company’s booth, in the North entrance and in the drupa cube in Hall 6, visitors can see the amazing results made possible with Highcon’s technology. These spectacular displays — designed by Wanda Barcelona — were produced by Highcon customer Maison Lack by DLW on their Highcon Euclid digital cutting machine on Arjowiggins Maine M1 paper. When first approached by Messe Düsseldorf to produce the displays, planned to be the hallmark of drupa 2016, Wanda was hesitant — it saw no way to produce the kind of scale required. The collaboration with Highcon resulted in this truly memorable vision combining unique design elements that needed to be produced at an industrial pace.

“At drupa 2016 we are proving the strength of our vision of delivering digital technology that bridges the gap between design creativity and production capability," says Aviv Ratzman, co-founder and CEO of Highcon. “The extensive range of different and exciting applications on our booth, from the paper fashion show, through to the general commercial and packaging products, and on to the 3D applications, were all produced on our digital cutting and creasing machines and we are proud to be introducing a whole new portfolio here at drupa.”

The Highcon Shape 3D machine.

The surprise unveiling at the show was the Highcon Shape 3D machine. Designed by Padwa Design, renowned industrial product and car designers, this is a technology preview of Highcon’s new machine, implementing its Rapid Layer Manufacturing Technology aimed at transforming the 3D print world from rapid production to rapid manufacturing. The Highcon Shape, envisaged for release at drupa 2019, will deliver real life, large scale products from a file to reality, within minutes, using any kind of paper. This machine will produce products at high speeds and at costs that are unmatched by any 3D printing technology. The result is a truly revolutionary process to produce everyday items, such as furniture, which can be customized and personalized, and models for industrial use.

Previously announced at Highcon’s pre-drupa event, the Highcon portfolio of products will be running throughout the show at its booth. They will showcase compatibility with a large range of partners, from offset press manufacturers, and also B2 and B1 digital printing companies.

• The Highcon Beam is taking B1/42 in digital cutting and creasing into mainstream production with up to 5,000 B1 sph.
• The Highcon Pulse  B2/29 digital cutting and creasing machine has a smaller footprint and an affordable price.
• The Highcon Euclid III is a third-generation proven digital cutting and creasing machine with improved capabilities, quality and performance and brand new variable data cutting and 3D modeling.
• Highcon Axis Web-to-Pack platform, a 2D to 3D solution that brings the benefits of a Web-to-print system to all the players in the complex paper or cartonboard production supply chain.

About Highcon
Founded in 2009 by Aviv Ratzman and Michael Zimmer, Highcon developed a digital cutting and creasing solution that is transforming the post-print market. Highcon now offers converters, printers and trade finishers a product portfolio that covers a wide range of formats, substrates and applications: from general commercial and packaging products to variable data cutting, 3D modeling and an online Web-to-pack solution. Highcon solutions replace the expensive and slow conventional diemaking and setup process with a digital technology that bridges the gap between design creativity and production capability, delivering improved responsiveness, design flexibility and the ability to perform a wide range of applications in-house. Highcon products are installed at customer sites all over the world.

Source: Highcon.