Robots Without Safety Fences? Heidelberg Makes It Possible · Dennis D’Angelo · FLOW 2026
What if industrial robots could work alongside people without the need for traditional safety fences?
At FLOW 2026 in Bad Hersfeld, INKISH’s Morten Reitoft meets Dennis D’Angelo, Product Manager for Folding Machines and Robotic Solutions at Heidelberg, to explore the development of the StackStar C — a robotic stacking solution designed to make print finishing safer, more efficient, and more flexible.
Dennis was involved in developing the StackStar C from the very beginning, transforming customer requirements into a working industrial solution presented at drupa 2024. He shares the experience of seeing the robot come to life, the positive response from customers, and how their feedback continues to shape its development.
One of the most interesting aspects is Heidelberg’s safety concept. The GS-certified system uses a collaborative robotic arm and clearly marked safety zones, allowing people and robots to work in the same production environment without traditional protective fencing.
But safety is only part of the story.
StackStar C combines speed, productivity, and gentle material handling. Its flexible gripper accommodates formats from A6 to B4 without requiring a gripper change, while the stacking and transport system is designed to handle printed products carefully and adapt to different factory layouts.
Dennis also explains why successful robotics development starts with listening to customers rather than simply creating technology for technology’s sake.
An engaging conversation about engineering, customer-driven innovation, and the growing role of robotics in modern print finishing.
Recorded at FLOW 2026 · Bad Hersfeld, Germany · INKISH
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Thu November 5th
AI Won't Save Your Print Business If Your Dat...
Can you name your 20 most profitable printing jobs from the past six months? If not, you might have a bigger problem than outdated software. At FLOW 2026 in Bad Hersfeld, Pat McGrew meets Stephan Reiter from CAI Software to discuss why the future of print management isn't simply about implementing new technology, but understanding the economics and processes behind every printing job. With roots in EFI and eProductivity Software, CAI brings together an extensive portfolio of MIS, ERP, web-to-print, and workflow solutions serving printing companies of every size, from small businesses to multinational enterprises. But Stephan challenges the traditional way printers approach software investments. Rather than starting with a list of desired features, he asks fundamental business questions: Which jobs actually make money? How much capital is tied up in unused inventory? Where are employees spending time on unnecessary manual processes? CAI uses time-and-motion studies to examine workflows, often tracing completed invoices backward through production, estimating, and order entry to uncover hidden inefficiencies. And what about artificial intelligence? While CAI is developing AI-powered capabilities for onboarding, estimating, migration, and reporting, Stephan is clear that AI alone cannot solve structural problems. Without accurate data and well-defined processes, even the most sophisticated technology will struggle to deliver meaningful results. The conversation also explores why printing companies should reconsider legacy MIS installations that may have served them well for years but no longer reflect their business needs. With changing customer expectations, increasing automation, and growing competitive pressure, Stephan argues that printers need to understand their profitability and rethink how their entire business operates. A thought-provoking conversation about the real value of MIS, the limitations of AI, and why the printing companies that understand their numbers may be the ones best prepared for the future. Recorded at FLOW 2026 · Bad Hersfeld, Germany · INKISH