Open House

Since 2019, Imaging Solutions AG (ISAG) has traditionally held an open house at its location in Dielsdorf near Zurich – parallel to the Hunkeler Innovationdays.

As a manufacturer, ISAG specializes in image processing software and modular systems for the automated production of on-demand photo prints, layflat books, and canvas frames. Grafische Palette took the opportunity to talk to Gregor Kohle, Chief Marketing Officer at Imaging Solutions, on site.

Open House

Client

Inhouse

Open House at Imaging Solutions in Dielsdorf impresses international clientel

Grafische Palette: Mr. Kohle, here's a provocative question: Why hold your own open house when half the graphics industry is just 60 kilometers away at the Hunkeler Innovationdays in Lucerne?

Gregor Kohle: Precisely for that reason! The Innovation Days in Lucerne have a very international focus, so it's always an ideal opportunity for us to reach an international audience and attract them to Dielsdorf. We've always had requests from international customers in the run-up to the event anyway. This year, however, the open house was a little more challenging than usual in terms of effort, as we also exhibited an almostCut cutting system in Lucerne and had to provide on-site support. We also organized an after-work aperitif for the Swiss Printing Industry Association. So we had a full program in every respect!

Grafische Palette: How satisfied are you with your event? How many customers and interested parties were you able to welcome in Dielsdorf?

Gregor Kohle: Very satisfied. The offer was well received and customer feedback was exceptionally good. Over the four days, we welcomed around 100 visitors, including major customers such as Cewe, Allcop, District Photo, and the Harrier Group, as well as the Storio Group, most of whom had announced their visit in advance, but also some spontaneous interested parties. It was clear that the visits were very well planned and targeted, and we had high-quality discussions with customers who had very clear ideas. In addition, we also made some good contacts at the Hunkeler Innovation Days. It was very gratifying!

It should also be mentioned that our entire product portfolio of machines and software solutions was on display – with all the papers and formats that visitors could wish for. We received active support from our partners Apdenmark (stretcher frame manufacturer), Fujifilm (paper for real photo exposure), and especially Kyocera, who set up the Belharra, a new high-speed inkjet roll printer for borderless 4-inch photo printing for classic photo applications, on site. This enabled us to present a complete solution in our photo finishing segment at the open house – from proven real photo exposure units/printers to a new inkjet solution, with all ISAG cutters and LayFlat machines in various configurations, to our framing machines – plus the Viesus image enhancement software and Quick2Wall wall decoration.

Grafische Palette: What technical highlights did you focus on for visitors?

Gregor Kohle: The focus was on cutting solutions such as the multiCut, which can be used to cut any individual format from the roll using an XY cut. Or the fastCut & Pack for single-image cutting with packaging in photo bags, bag closing and labeling, and a subsequent sorting system. This is a highly automated system that combines all these previously manual packaging steps and requires only one machine operator. This is, of course, in line with the current zeitgeist, keyword: shortage of skilled and unskilled workers, which we are counteracting with a high degree of automation. We have made significant advances in cutter solutions in particular and will continue to do so. For example, multiCut sheet applications are planned, with the option of individually cutting out different formats from sheet material (even across sheets, with sorting). This is definitely an issue for the photo market with its mixed orders!

The performance of our industrial LayFlat binding system fastBlock 06, which is well established on the market, has been improved to 2,750 bonds per hour. Permanent sheet control with sensors enables the processing of thinner papers as well as the production of thicker book blocks. With the fastFrame 800 SA, ISAG has a fully automatic multi-format system for high-speed industrial stretching of canvases. It is noticeable that more and more customers are considering robotics for inserting canvas and frames. This is also likely due to the shortage of skilled workers. During the open house, we addressed this issue and demonstrated an upgrade to the aforementioned fastCut & Pack, in which the sorting module was equipped with a robotic arm.