Resource optimized printing, Ritter orders second machine

The digital printing technology of the D240 by Hinterkopf paved the way to an even more resource efficient decoration of cartridges beginning in spring of 2015. Just under a year later, the company ordered the second machine, which is considered future oriented by the German Department of Environmental Affairs.

210 fewer tons of plastic per year, 15 saved tons of special waste, and savings of 2.4 tons less waste such as old paints, paint residues and liquors – those are only some of the impressive metrics the D240 digital printing machine by Hinterkopf, as compared to conventional screen printing. The world’s first digital printing system from Hinterkopf, in production since early spring of 2015, helps packaging specialists Ritter save more than 450,000 kWh of electrical power per year. In doing so, the company reduces its CO2 emissions by 270 tons. After several months of day to day experience with the machine, CEOs Ralf and Frank Ritter draw conclusions: the technical and resource saving advantages of the D240 are proven in daily production. As a result, the specialists for plastic packaging are planning a full departure from screen printing: „One D240 machine delivers the same output like three screen printing lines“, Ralf Ritter sums up the machine’s efficiencies. Aside from the strong economics, the company benefits from reduced resource consumption and substantial energy savings, additional benefits of the investment. Therefore Ritter ordered the second D240 digital printing system in November of 2015. In doing so, the Ritter company which is located in Schwabmünchen near Augsburg (Germany) expands its partnership with Hinterkopf. Additionally, the company also makes a clear statement in favor of environmentally friendly production.

D240 also convinces the German Department of the Environment

An impressive portfolio of savings was convincing for the German Department of Environmental Affairs to support this innovative pilot project with grants from the Environmental Innovations Program. This further underscores the new benchmark in resource efficient and environmentally friendly decoration of plastic cartridges, as set by the Hinterkopf D240.

Hinterkopf’s new digital printing technology not only saves on waste, but also sets new standards in print. Only the digital process of the D240 allows for photo realistic decoration with resolution of 700dpi, razor sharp graphics and text with type of 2 point (3 point for reverse type). The effective resolution is five to six times compared to screen printing.

There are more advantages of the D240 compared to screen printing: the printed image transfers from the graphics computer directly to the printing machine, saving time and labor intensive steps for imaging of screens. Job changeovers are effected with virtually zero set up time. For a company like Ritter, with an in house graphics department, D240 opens up entirely new design capabilities in decoration, which will benefit customers going forward.