BOBST Unveils Redesigned MASTERFOLD Platform for Corrugated Board Converting

BOBST has updated its MASTERFOLD 170, 230, and 300 folder-gluer machine lines to integrate digital connectivity and automated positioning systems. The technical upgrade targets corrugated board converting operations to reduce setup times and standardize folding and gluing workflows across the packaging ecosystem.

Digital Connectivity and Setup Automation
The updated folder-gluer architecture utilizes the HMI SPHERE interface connected to the BOBST Connect data platform. This integration enables operators to download job parameters directly from back-office systems and configure machine data prior to the physical run. Hardware modifications include pneumatically locked feeder ramps and a fully automated blank aligner. Automated positioning mechanisms, referred to as Matic setups, control the main transport equipment, the calibrating shaft, and the speed variator within the folding section. According to Sasha Bourgeois, RD&E Director of the folder-gluer line at BOBST, these automated positioning systems reduce overall machine setup time by up to 20 minutes, with the transfer and delivery sections specifically contributing 15 minutes of operational uptime during repeat jobs. Pierre Binggeli, Head of the Folder-gluer line, Peripherals and Robotics, noted that this digital transition is designed to address operator skill shortages and the requirement for shorter production runs.

Operational Control and Quality Assurance Mechanisms
To manage the automated converting workflow, the system uses a structured interface that guides operators through modular configurations. Individual command panels are located on each machine module to permit direct hardware intervention at the front and back of the machine. For monitoring, integrated video systems provide feedback on the folding and gluing sequences at both the feeder and transfer sections. During active operation, the machine speed can be reduced to 5 meters per minute, allowing operators to safely pass through security light curtains to perform internal adjustments without fully halting production. To regulate output quality, the system employs an additional liquid creaser to accurately set the gap between corrugated panels and minimize skewing. A specialized glue and fold control unit, working in tandem with the ACCUEJECT device, isolates and automatically ejects defective outputs from the production line.

Energy Monitoring and Hardware Specifications
The hardware architecture incorporates individual servo motors on each module to regulate mechanical efficiency and lower energy consumption. Electrical usage is tracked through the BOBST Connect Energy Monitoring system to identify baseline consumption metrics and potential savings. For operator safety, the machinery utilizes security light curtains to maintain physical accessibility while complying with upcoming European Union security standards scheduled for implementation in 2027. To support the deployment of these connected systems, BOBST supplies dedicated data analysts to assist customers with workflow integration and equipment performance monitoring.

Additional Context:
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement

Within the corrugated board folder-gluer market, manufacturers benchmark equipment based on changeover automation, blank alignment technology, and integrated quality control mechanisms. Comparable industrial systems, such as the Bahmüller TURBOX and the Koenig & Bauer Duran Omega series, utilize modular frameworks to process various flute profiles and employ motorized module positioning to accelerate setup times. These competitive systems also feature dedicated ejection units to remove defective cartons without slowing running speeds. The BOBST system differentiates itself through the proprietary BOBST Connect platform, which centralizes remote data setup and energy monitoring, alongside its specific 5 meters per minute low-speed adjustment mode designed to maintain continuous operation during internal calibration.

Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals editor, assisted by AI.

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