The strategic acquisition and integration of the BOBST Novafoil 106 H into Leonhard Kurz’s state-of-the-art Application Technology Laboratory marks a significant milestone, not only for Kurz but for the broader finishing and packaging industry. This move powerfully reinforces a robust, twenty-year alliance between two titans of precision engineering and material science. The arrival of the Novafoil 106 H coincides symbolically with the 55th anniversary of BOBST’s pioneering introduction of its first hot transfer stamping machine, underscoring a shared history of transformative technological advancement. By installing this high-performance machine, Kurz is now equipped to rigorously validate its cutting-edge transfer products—including foils, lacquers, and holographic materials—under production conditions that precisely mirror those encountered by customers across the globe, ensuring unparalleled real-world applicability and quality assurance.
This enduring partnership between Kurz, a global leader in hot-stamping transfer products, and BOBST, renowned for its precision die-cutting and stamping equipment, has historically yielded landmark achievements in decorative and functional finishing. Notable examples of their joint success include the visually stunning parrot poster exhibited at Drupa 2016 and a vast portfolio of highly distinctive and successful packaging designs across luxury and consumer goods sectors. The synergistic approach leverages Kurz’s specialized expertise in advanced transfer media, complemented by the die-making prowess of its subsidiary, H+M (Hinderer + Mühlich), which engineers the intricate stamping dies. This material and tooling expertise meshes seamlessly with the mechanical excellence and repeatability delivered by BOBST machinery.
Bodo Junge, Product Marketing Director for the Printing & Converting business unit at BOBST, overseeing Folding Carton, Litho Laminating, and Corrugated Board industries, articulated the mutual benefit of this deep integration. "Together, both organizations are continuously pushing the outer limits of technical feasibility, which empowers us to bring increasingly inventive and robust solutions to the market," Junge stated, emphasizing the joint drive for innovation. The result is a proven, end-to-end solution framework where BOBST’s stamping machinery and Kurz’s transfer products are calibrated to work in perfect harmony, offering customers complete confidence in the finishing process.
Martin Hempel, Head of CoC Graphics within the AWETA (Application and Workflow Excellence Center) at Leonhard Kurz, lauded the Novafoil 106 H as the centerpiece of their testing apparatus. "We view the Novafoil 106 H as the pinnacle machine within our current equipment lineup," Hempel confirmed. "It consistently delivers superior embossing quality even when operating at demanding production speeds. Crucially, almost every development test we conduct, designed to achieve market readiness for our newest materials, is validated using this specific machine. Beyond its performance metrics, its intuitive and user-friendly operational interface significantly streamlines our rigorous testing protocols."
The technical superiority of the Novafoil 106 H stems from specific design features that directly benefit high-quality finishing. Its stamping platen is engineered to provide an extended dwell time—the crucial contact period between the heated platen and the substrate. This extended contact, combined with exceptionally stable temperature control and the capacity for higher embossing pressures, translates directly into a noticeable elevation in the quality of the final finish, characterized by sharper detail and greater material fidelity. Furthermore, the machine’s inherent versatility is a significant asset. It is configured to flawlessly support a comprehensive array of finishing techniques, including standard hot stamping, intricate embossing, deep relief embossing, and complex holographic foil applications, allowing Kurz to simulate diverse customer needs within a single platform.
This collaboration has created a reciprocal testing ecosystem. With the Novafoil 106 H now resident at Kurz’s facility, BOBST gains the immediate capability to conduct live machine demonstrations for prospective clients directly within Kurz’s AWETA, showcasing how their equipment performs with leading-edge transfer materials. Conversely, Kurz now enjoys open, unfettered access to test its newest product innovations across various BOBST machines within the partnership framework. Plans are already underway to increase the frequency of joint customer visits, fostering a direct exchange of knowledge and accelerating the pace of process optimization and product innovation across both organizations.
Dr. Laurin Leeb, Head of International Product Management at Leonhard Kurz, encapsulated the unique value proposition of this relationship. "What truly distinguishes this partnership is the spirit of innovative co-development—it functions as a shared, dynamic testing ecosystem," Dr. Leeb explained. "Our primary focus is achieving perfectly harmonized product development outcomes, leveraging the engineering excellence of Europe’s premium manufacturers. Through these optimized process solutions, we deliver tangible, measurable added value directly to our customers’ bottom line. We are fully committed to strategically expanding the scope and depth of this vital collaboration well into the future."
The physical installation of the Novafoil 106 H represents more than just an equipment upgrade; it signifies a formalized commitment to process synchronization. By eliminating variables inherent in off-site testing, Kurz and BOBST are ensuring that the intricate chemistry of foil transfer, the mechanical precision of the die-cutting process, and the structural integrity of the substrate are all managed and optimized together. This unified approach guarantees that the transfer solutions developed by Kurz will perform flawlessly when married with BOBST machinery on any production floor globally, solidifying their joint position at the forefront of premium finishing technology. The collaboration is a testament to the belief that superior end products are born from seamlessly integrated processes, rather than merely superior individual components.