Insider

“We’re after sharp print results.”

“At Hapa, we’re a highly professional and passionate team,” says Freer. “We operate worldwide, we’re focused on customer needs, continual improvement, and we’re growing dynamically. We’re after sharp print results. To that effect, we’re building our systems with the experience of long-term partnerships, with the best in the industry, and we back up what we install with the strengths of a global structure, which are geared toward local services and support. Plus we’ve got the backing of Coesia and the connections to industry-leading sister companies.”

Industry 4.0–ready
The integrated HMI is recipe-driven, intuitive and scalable. It provides a single point of entry for artwork, variables, and machine set-up. User access levels and audit trail comply with pharmaceutical requirements. The control interface can be run via any Ethernet-connected web browser. Each Web 4.0 system can be monitored singly or collectively. Valuable data about the status of each system, from ink levels to component temperatures, can be collected over OPC unified architecture. The actions necessary to optimize asset utilization are continually transparent.

The heart of the digital system
Scalable and future-proof, the integrated “redcube plus” printing module lies at the heart of the platform’s digital systems. Color bars with incorporated print heads can be retrofitted so that the module can go from single to six spot colors or WCMYK, plus lacquer. LED curing units polymerize the inks immediately. A flush function ensures that the print module can be placed into standby for extended periods. Print-head maintenance is automatic so that no production time is lost to manual cleaning. The system prints text and graphics, including data matrix codes, up to 60 meters per minute, meeting the future challenges of serialization with accurate, high-resolution, 720 x 720 dpi print. Results are sharp, even on paper-back foils.

Sabine, exhibitions create special challenges, right?
Yes. Our shipments to exhibitions are usually machines, but we also ship inks and cleaning solutions, spare parts and technicians’ tools – plus all our marketing material. The details of each item needs to be documented correctly to cross any border. Machines that return to Hapa are handled differently than consumable or promotional articles.

What’s your first step?
We first identify what’s to be shipped – how it’s classified and to be documented – where it’s going, and how. We coordinate a time schedule for our team and our outside partners, our packer and our freight forwarder. Regulations for shipments can differ greatly, from those covering the type of packaging used to items highly restricted by means of transportation.

Restrictions by means of transport?
Exactly. Let me give you an example: At exhibitions, Hapa demonstrates the late stage customization of products by direct-printing personalized data onto power banks. A power bank is considered to be a lithium battery. Lithium batteries are the preferred energy source for many consumer products. They are dangerous goods, however, which constitute a safety risk. The transport of lithium batteries by airfreight or express services is highly restricted, and it is imperative that all transport regulations are strictly adhered to. If we want to ship 100 power banks from Switzerland to Germany by road transportation, we have no problem ­­– but if we want to save time and ship by air? Forget it. We’re restricted to shipping only two power banks at a time.

Hapa excelled in most areas of aftermarket services and support (follow link to the right). Plans are in operation to build on strengths, to continue the development of quality products, support, and services. Areas where the bar needs to be raised have been highlighted, and improvements are progressing. Improvements include extended helpdesk support hours, shipping times, availability of parts, and the strengthening/expanding of the service technician base.

The majority of the survey’s participants, 63%, came from EMEAR nations, 28% from NCSA nations, and 9% from APAC nations.

Mathias Theiler, Supervisor Ink Department, said, “Most of the existing equipment would not have survived a relocation. We put our investments into outfitting a lab with the latest and safest equipment and facilities.” LED hanging lamps and a climate control unit were installed to regulate light, temperatures, and humidity. The division’s production area now has great views of the Alps – although the mountains look yellow. A protective film covers the windows to safeguard all products in production from UV rays.

The Hybrid, mounted aboard the Hapa Mobile parked at the venue, demonstrated UV flexo and UV DOD printing technologies, printing two colors on web-fed blister foil. Following demonstrations, the Hapa team shared job and career-management opportunities and fielded questions about the company’s capabilities, its international culture, and its global markets in healthcare and fast moving consumer goods.

He knows the keys to adhesion – inks, substrates, and materials, from blister foils to thermal-forming plastics prior to being heat-treated – and he knows print heads and the impact of material transport. The tools to digital printing are part of his expertise, too, color management, color ripping, data workflow and their software tools. “With each new challenge,” he says, “whether it’s analogue or digital printing, I try to simulate a worst-worst case to test.” Each test brings him closer to best results.

From Germany to Switzerland
Even Sascha’s way to Hapa was a marathon: Shortly after Germany’s Reunification, he began training as a printer in Saxony-Anhalt. Once he successfully completed his training, he looked for work in areas with better economic prospects and landed a position in Basel, Switzerland. Ambitious for more responsibilities, he went on to earn an engineering degree with a concentration in printing and packaging. Soon thereafter, in 2010, Hapa lured him into its fold.

Every day is a special day
Sascha is at a loss to describe an average day in Applications for himself and his team of experts. Requests might come in from Healthcare Sales to conduct a compatibility test for a prospective client. Or a client wishes to have a new lidding foil or new spot color tested.