2022 Award Winning Products
Good Design Award 2022
High-speed digital label press
[AccurioLabel 400]
＜Evaluation＞
The product significantly raised expectations for print quality and ensures absolute reliability compared to the previous model by following the design of the flagship model of commercial press. This outstanding product with superb accessibility automates operations and eliminates the need for special skills. The large label roll storage space on both sides dynamically protrudes outward. The design was significantly changed from the conventional layout with the label roll placed inside the housing. The product successfully creates an agile impression, which is difficult to achieve in industrial equipment. We respect Konica Minolta’s commitment to realizing white printing while curbing the price of the equipment and to continuously promoting evolution and greater expressivity.
Wireless Digital Radiography
System [AeroDR swift]
＜Evaluation＞
DR cassettes, which incorporate a precision instrument, tend to be handled roughly at hospitals and clinics where urgent medical treatment is required. The recess on the edge for hand grip effectively improves handling and prevents the cassette from being dropped. The recess also reduces the mental stress and physical workload of workers and increases work efficiency. The exterior, which is made from a material with an embedded antibacterial agent, has a high-quality feel and appearance, producing an attractive product.
Planetarium dome theaters
[MANTEN NAGOYA /PLANETARIA YOKOHAMA]
＜Evaluation＞
Visual representation by dome projection is not new. However, self-luminous high-brightness LEDs – a culmination of cutting-edge technology - offer an outstanding sense-of-immersion experience. The high image quality also delivers an entirely new presentation of the shows that can encourage the audience to capture and post beautiful images on social media. As entertainment techniques have been continuously improved thanks to technological innovation, these theaters were highly appraised as good examples.
Hand-held gas leakage inspection system
＜Evaluation＞
Regarding infrastructure equipment, such as that at gas plants, for which this product was designed, continuous maintenance is likely to become a social challenge due partly to the declining birthrate and aging population. A technology for visualizing gases, which are invisible to the human eye, was designed as a portable camera-type device, enabling the product to be used at various sites. Through the camera, gases, which are invisible on the actual equipment image, can be superimposed together with quantitative data. With cloud linkage and other features, the product enables intuitive, accurate inspections without requiring skills.
iF Design Award 2023
High-speed digital label press
[AccurioLabel 400]
<Description>
The AccurioLabel 400 provides plateless offset-quality digital printing perfect for high-mix low-volume batches. Color correction and other automated features eliminate downtime between batches and the specialized skillset conventionally required for everything from printing to maintenance, expanding the user base. The series’ first inclusion of a unique white toner broadens the scope of printable materials. This blend of simple operability and premium functionality at a reduced price stands at the forefront of digital transformation, creating a new niche in the market where professional grade printing no longer requires specialist knowledge.
Planetarium dome theaters
[PLANETARIA YOKOHAMA]
<Description>
PLANETARIA YOKOHAMA is new type of planetarium which provides relaxed healing entertainment experience for adults. Conventional planetariums are mostly for children and families, but this PLANETARIA YOKOHAMA is designed to experience urban oasis for adults and couples to enjoy and relax. To enhance dome experience holistically, we focused on visualization of natural phenomena such as light and wind by adding lighting, sound, and scent effects. Lighting scene setting is also important element, and we designed to express transition of seasons and time with natural and emotional light settings to express nature on earth resonating five senses.
Red Dot Design Award 2023
High-speed digital label press
[AccurioLabel 400]
＜Statement of the jury＞
According to the jury, the AccurioLabel 400 digital label printing machine demonstrates “technical efficiency as well as a successful interplay of functionality and aesthetics”. A horizontal line across the system unifies its appearance and also serves as a tablet holder. The machine adopts several aspects of the manufacturer’s digital printing machine series, such as the colour tones and the proven user interface, which emphasises job management and other frequently used functions for ensuring intuitive operation. The doors, with their small, space-saving opening radius, clearly separate components, which facilitates operation and maintenance. An elegant stainless-steel handle allows quick access to the toner.