SGIA Expo 2009 Showstoppers

FLEXcon - Booth #201

FLEXcon’s BUSart OV5055 is the latest addition to FLEXcon’s line of overlaminating films. This 2.0-mil clear, cast vinyl with optically clear adhesive is backed with a polyester release liner, which aids in adhesive wetout for clarity in perforated window applications.

SEETHRU-SIGN STSWBF7030 is a 7.2-mil 70/30 perforated white/black vinyl coated with a removable adhesive and backed with a perforated 90-pound liner capped with a clear sheet liner. It is available in Quick-Ship in 53-inch master rolls. Quantities of less than three rolls or 150-foot roll set-ups are available through LexJet.

SEETHRU-SIGN Clear Flex 2 (STSCF2) is a UV inkjet printable film for interior-mounted retail window graphics. It is a 6.0-mil 70/30 perforated clear vinyl film coated with a removable adhesive and backed with a perforated 90-pound lay flat release liner capped with a clear sheet liner. This liner system allows the product to be UV inkjet printable. It is also printable via UV and solvent screen.

Mimaki USA Inc. - Booth #231

The Mimaki UJV-160 is a hybrid roll-to-roll/flatbed, large-format, cool UV-curable inkjet printer that utilizes ultra-low heat emitting UV LED curing technology to accommodate heat-sensitive media, cut power consumption, and eliminate ozone generation. The UJV-160’s flatbed attachment converts the printer to a flatbed for printing on rigid substrates.

Mimaki is also introducing the JFX-1631 which incorporates eight print heads to achieve print speeds twice that of previous flatbeds. Two types of eco-friendly UV inks are available—flexible and hard—as well as high-concentration white ink.

Also new is the Mimaki JV33-260 grand-format printer. It prints up to 103-inches wide and is equipped with Mimaki’s Auto Media Feeder and Uninterrupted Ink Supply System. The print assist function allows double-sided, edgeless printing on various media, including transparent media.

i-cut, inc. - Booth #427

i-cut’s 7.0 vision software takes print material specifications from the work stream, including cutting keys that supply operators with tool settings and blade/bit recommendations. This makes finishing setup easier and simplifies the tasks necessary for the start-up of each job. i-cut 7.0 sports a new, streamlined multi-document user interface and is fully Microsoft VISTA compatible.

By eliminating a pen lift with multi-pass routing, it provides improved speed. A new registration algorithm—including the ability to read all registration marks before cutting—delivers improved quality with placement registration. A new tool offset algorithm handles close curves as one unit, while improvements have also led to smoother cuts.

Users can now export i-cut data to PDF to print jobs or return them to an editing application, such as Adobe Illustrator. A help system is available from all dialogs, and is provided with multimedia teaching videos, schematics, and animations.

HP - Booth #601

HP’s booth will feature the debut of the HP Designjet L25500 Printer with HP Latex Printing Technologies designed for small and medium digital print and sign shops, as well as copy shops and photo labs. For higher-volume PSPs, the HP booth will also include the HP Designjet L65500 Printer, which produces durable outdoor and indoor applications up to 104 inches (2.64 meters) that withstand the elements while also providing high-resolution image quality—up to 1,200 dpi.

The HP Scitex FB7500 printer will also be showcased. This UV flatbed printer is designed for high-quality applications and features speeds of up to 500 sqm/hr (5,380 sqft/hr), a low cost per sheet, media versatility and an efficient, automated workflow.

Tex Visions - Booth #647

Tex Visions specializes in custom printing and display hardware. The company also has a wide variety of substrates and textiles available for digital and screen printing along with a huge selection of display hardware.

This year, Tex Visions released the wind speed testing results for its Bowflag. The Bowflag 200 successfully withstood testing in the wind speed tunnel reaching over 63 mph.