On the Wide Side
Many have called drupa 2012 the "inkjet drupa" or the "integration drupa" and wide-format technology is even more obvious this year than the 2008 trade fair.
"This next generation EFI VUTEk press should win every side-by-side comparison with existing digital presses in terms of offering the best combination of speed, output quality and return on investment," said Scott Schinlever, senior vice president and general manager of Inkjet Solutions at EFI. "The printer brings greater flexibility and workflow integration, with streamlined and versatile production on longer run lengths. Combined with advanced production features, warning and detection systems, and the Fiery XF proServer, the HS100 Pro is a true 24/7 solution ideal for the most demanding production environments."
Also on display was the EFI R3225, a 3.2-meter roll-to-roll, entry-level production UV inkjet printer. The EFI R3225 provides eight-level variable drop grayscale heads for superior quality images, optimized ink usage, and UV-curing inks for access to a wide range of substrates, giving owners the lowest total cost of ownership, greatest profit opportunity, additional addressable markets, and high customer satisfaction. Other enhanced features and benefits include print speeds up to 900 square feet per hour with stunning grayscale print quality, along with automated features to maximize productivity.
Fujifilm North America launched two new machines at drupa 2012. The Uvistar Pro8 is suited to producing super-wide format print for both display POP and outdoor advertising markets on flexible and rigid media. One of the major advancements of the Uvistar Pro8 platform is the inclusion of a complete set of light colors within the ink set which increase print quality without compromising on print speed. Together with its Parallel Drop Size (PDS) technology, this allows the Uvistar Pro8 to produce high definition Display POP graphics at speeds in excess of 300 sqm/hour.
Other improvements to the design include: an auto media handling system for rigid media; a fully automated backlit printing option; the ability to switch between 4 and 8 colour printing modes, and an intuitive new operator interface. The new platform will be commercially available from August 2012.
Additionally, Fujifilm and Inca Digital unveiled the Inca Onset S40i flatbed UV inkjet printer.
The Inca Onset S40i meets the high-volume, fast-turnaround production needs of specialist display print companies, using 168 new-generation, user-replaceable printheads (28 per color) on a full width print array delivering a 28 picolitre drop size.
Key new features include:
Reduced bed masking: A new 15-zone vacuum table reduces bed masking requirements for substrates thinner than 3mm. This reduces setup times and increases overall machine productivity.
UV sensor system: Printheads need regular maintenance but this varies depending on the type of substrates used and the volume of work produced. The Onset S40i’s auto sensor system constantly monitors the machine condition and informs the operator when automatic cleaning is required.
Substrate height detector: Sensitive mechanical substrate height detectors deliver accuracy and reliability to provide enhanced substrate and printhead protection.
In addition, a new Fujifilm Uvijet ink system has also been launched providing improved adhesion and finishing properties. The Inca Onset S40i is commercially available from Q2 2012.
Durst Image Technology had a number of new releases at drupa 2012. Durst presents its new inkjet engine for industrial screen printing applications
The Durst Rho IP (Industrial Print) engine is a purpose built inkjet solution for industrial screen and pad printing applications. It is a high speed inkjet engine which can be integrated into automated production lines and configured according to the application. The industrial production machine will also provide screen and pad printers with the highest levels of flexibility. It is suited for the production of membrane switches, instrument panels, dashboards, cover plates (e.g. for washing machines) and small items typical of pad printing applications. The modularity of the machine will allow up to 5 ink channels (CMYK plus white) and there are six printheads per channel. The print engine can be equipped with up to 15,000 nozzles producing a printing speed of 8 seconds per table in single pass mode, or 20 seconds in per table in scanning four color mode including Variable Data Printing, if required. The standard table is 300 x 600 mm. The vacuum table uses mechanical pin registration and the vacuum is applied through microscopic pores in an aluminum plate.
