Imagine: printing, finishing, packaging, and logistics operating seamlessly with minimal human intervention at maximum output. This isn’t science fiction: it’s the reality Horizon is building with cutting-edge technologies like AGVs (automated guided vehicles), robotics, and AI.
Horizon has announced its Smart Factory 2024 event, “Lights Out”, and we could not be more excited to attend and see what new solutions they have to show. Stay tuned for more information to come!
Event Details
- Date: October 2nd – 4th, 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
- Location: Horizon Innovation Park Horizon Headquarters: 1600 Asahi, Shinasahi-cho, Takashima, Shiga, Japan
The seamless integration of printers, finishing equipment, and workflow systems at the event will enable real-time monitoring of each job’s production status and progress. This cutting-edge automation aims to shift operators from repetitive, labor-intensive tasks to more fulfilling roles, thereby enhancing their work-life balance. By adopting these technologies, factories can operate autonomously, or “lights out,” significantly improving efficiency and productivity.
Smart Factory History
Horizon’s smart factory journey began began in 2019 with the Think Smart Factory event in Kyoto. This event demonstrated the smart factory concept, complete with robotic arms and AGVs integrated into an inkjet workflow and finishing process. It paved the way for the more advanced, fully autonomous solutions we’ll see pushing the boundaries of production in 2024.
Event Will Showcase Automating Every Aspect of Finishing
- Work staging: Automatically prepare materials for production
- Repetitive tasks: Let machines handle the mundane, freeing up your staff for more creative work
- Scheduling: Optimize job and work schedules for maximum efficiency
- Setups: Automate job setups to reduce downtime and errors
- Packaging: Streamline packaging for faster delivery.
Smart Factory Transformation Video
Check out this video from Horizon to better understand the smart factory concept and how it can be applied to specific machines!
- Robot hand card banding
- Robot arm flexible packaging
- Near line robot integrated book production
- AGV press to folder sheet transport
- Signature production folder to robot arm palletizer
- AGV pallet transport robot arm to book production line
- Inline robot-integrated book production
- Robot arm binder book block feeding
- Suction arm gauze feeder to nipping table
Smart Factory in Action: Sakawa Printing
Horizon’s smart factory solutions are already being implemented by printers like Sakawa Printing in Japan. Their automated workflow leads to improved efficiency, reduced errors, and a better work-life. Watch to learn about all of the automated stages of their production process and hear interviews from operators.
