HEIDELBERG Introduces the AI-Powered Print Shop of Tomorrow, Redefining the Future of Digital Printing
HEIDELBERG is taking digitalization in the printing industry to unprecedented heights, unveiling their vision for AI-driven, automated print shops that promise to reshape printing operations worldwide. The company has been a pioneer since connecting its first machine to the Internet in 2004. Now, with 20 years of digital development under its belt and over 13,000 machines linked to the HEIDELBERG Cloud, the company is on the verge of launching AI-powered solutions that may soon enable print shops to run autonomously.
Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology and Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG, highlights the breakthrough, saying, “Our journey in digitalization began with simple connectivity, but today we’re designing the print shop of the future. AI will allow our customers to run fully automated shifts, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency in ways that were once unimaginable.” In line with this, HEIDELBERG’s newest AI tool, Prinect Touch Free, set to release soon, will take automation even further by autonomously selecting optimal printing processes and layouts, aiming for maximum cost-efficiency and performance.
HEIDELBERG has invested hundreds of millions in data technology, digital workflows, and robotics, positioning itself as a forerunner in intelligent automation. Since 2021, the company’s AI-driven consulting tool, PAT, has been helping print shops improve their workflows with tailored, data-backed suggestions. “Our expertise has not only shaped the industry for the last two decades, but it will also pave the way for the next era of smart, self-sufficient printing facilities,” Schmedding explains.
At the recent drupa 2024 trade fair, HEIDELBERG made waves by presenting itself as a one-stop provider for every modern printing process, from offset to digital and flexographic printing. The company’s signature Prinect workflow software forms the backbone, digitally orchestrating the entire print production process from start to finish.
Moreover, HEIDELBERG’s subscription-based digital services allow customers to pay per printed sheet, making sophisticated printing technology accessible to print shops of all sizes. With its revolutionary vision, HEIDELBERG is poised to bring AI and automation to the heart of the printing world, empowering print shops to deliver quality, consistency, and sustainability on a whole new scale.
