As Platinum Sponsor for this year's FESPA Digital in Hamburg, EFI is demonstrating its latest innovative UV-curable ink technologies for the wide-format digital printing industry, along with a vast portfolio of software products that will enable print customers to capture more work and profit. The company's newest additions to its wide-format production families include the versatile new roll-fed EFI VUTEk® GS3250r 3.2m system, the revolutionary VUTEk GS3250LX with LED "cool cure" technology, the enhanced VUTEk GS5000r UV roll-to-roll system, and two entry-level Rastek UV systems. Also on display is the EFI Jetrion 4830 narrow-format industrial inkjet label system.
"Our latest solutions offer exciting and innovative options for print service providers, display producers, screen printers, sign-makers and photolabs who want to increase their throughput, and gain new business through offering greater versatility and faster turn-round," explains Scott Schinlever, senior vice president and general manager of EFI VUTEk and Rastek. "FESPA Digital provides us with the perfect platform for demonstrating the flexibility and limitless possibilities that can be produced using our wide-format platforms, and we look forward to meeting existing and potential customers to discuss their requirements."
Following the instant success of the recently introduced VUTEk TX3250r textile printer, EFI's new products and upgrades to its established technologies bring to users greater cost-efficiency, higher running speeds and greener practices. These machines are all designed to improve productivity, quality and ease of use, and include the European debut of the company's first solution to incorporate LED UV-curing technology.
World First at FESPA Digital: VUTEk GS3250r
Revealed to the world at FESPA Digital, the VUTEk GS3250r is a 3.2m roll-to-roll UV-curable printer that is designed to increase profitability by quickly and efficiently producing high margin, closely viewed interior applications. Its true 1000dpi print capability and ultra-fast modes generate greater versatility from a single machine, resulting in lower costs on a wider range of materials and end jobs.
The new VUTEk GS3250r will appeal to users changing from solvent-based to UV-curable ink technology. This solution outputs high quality at speeds of up to 111 square m/hour, and includes multi-queue and double-sided printing functionality for added efficiency and capability. Output is covered by the 3M™ MCS™ (Matched Component System) Warranty when printing on 3M flexible material.
Cool Cure: a Greener Printing Solution
The next new announcement is the 3.2m flatbed and roll-fed VUTEk GS3250LX, which incorporates EFI's "cool cure" LED technology and increased productivity to bring users production advantages and lower running costs. With essentially no VOCs, fewer consumables and less waste, plus low energy consumption and the ability to print on recycled and other materials without introducing warping or head strikes, this printer more easily satisfies end customers' requests for a greener printing solution.
The LED curing system in the VUTEk GS3250LX features instant on/off and requires minimal maintenance, increasing the uptime to make job production more profitable. Since there is no warm-up time required and the LED bulbs are designed to last for years without variation in curing capabilities, owners will consume less energy, with lower running costs reducing overall operating expenses.
The VUTEk GS3250LX's continuous board feature enables users to take on more jobs and turn them round faster with colour consistent board-to-board productivity of up to 55 1.2m x 2.4m boards per hour. The machine's precision alignment fence is designed to position every sheet accurately without adjustment, and the addition of the VUTEk MediaMaster automated loading and offloading system maximises the printer's capability to run at full speed in every mode with hands free operation.
New Version of 5m VUTEk
EFI has also added a raft of upgrades to its popular 5m roll-fed printer, the VUTEk GS5000r, including in-line white ink and an automated double-sided printing option. Already renowned for its versatility, including the ability to print to three rolls of material simultaneously, this impressive unit is the only machine in its class with UV-curable ink covered by the 3M MCS Warranty when co-branded EFI and 3M inks are used with 3M flexible materials.
Simon McKenzie, director of Hollywood Monster in the UK, is taking delivery of his second UV-curable VUTEk machine having discovered the raft of benefits incorporated into the machines, including low running costs. "Formerly I was a long-standing customer of another manufacturer but, two years ago, I installed a VUTEk QS3200 because I needed to increase both quality and throughput speeds. Of vital importance was reliability, along with fast response to queries, and the service we get from EFI couldn't be better. As a result, it made sense for us to invest in a second VUTEk solution and, as our business is growing rapidly, the addition of the GS3200 is vital to our production requirements."
EFI's New Textile Printer at Hilord Stand
Launched earlier in the year, the EFI VUTEk TX3250r dye-sublimation textile printer will be demonstrated on the Hilord stand (A1/B41) at FESPA Digital. This 3.2m direct and indirect fabric solution combines industrial productivity, high-quality output and application versatility to meet the growing demand and requirements of the soft signage and digital textile market. It utilises Hilord's sublimation dyes for rich and durable colour on all polyester-based materials.
Rastek R3204 Preview
EFI's Rastek line of entry-level UV-curable printers is also being represented at FESPA Digital, with the H652 being complemented by the new Rastek R3204. This latest solution is a sophisticated roll-fed machine with a maximum width of 3.2m and the ability to output superior image quality at good production speeds, at a price point under 100,000 euros.
The Rastek H652 is proving to be a popular addition to print shops and sign-makers that want all the benefits found with EFI technology in a low cost hybrid production unit. This machine, which incorporates highly opaque white ink, offers best-in-class photographic quality for a wide range of applications and is also proving to be popular in the industrial and packaging sectors.
EFI Rastek T660 at the ESC stand
EFI's distributor ESC (Hall B1 Stand 30) is showing the EFI Rastek T660 UV flatbed printer, which offers high image quality, accurate registration and white ink printing capabilities on a platform that caters to the industrial and speciality application markets.
The printer is a perfect choice for entry-level or mid-size print shops where superior image quality and delivering faster turnaround times are critical to meeting customer demands.
Software Integration for Greater Efficiency
EFI is also showing a fully integrated workflow between Digital StoreFront, Pace, PrintFlow, Fiery XF, and the VUTEk GS3250LX. Digital StoreFront is a dual-purpose online platform that brings customisable and easy to use web-to-print functionality to users and their end customers. Pace and PrintFlow are EFI's management information systems for the wide-format industry. The enhanced Fiery XF 4.5 RIP enables enhanced colour handling, accuracy and performance, as well as easier and faster job deployment. It is ideal for mixed production environments and multiple printers. which include solutions to help print shops run their businesses more efficiently.
New Business Opportunities with Jetrion
Also at the EFI stand will be the Jetrion 4830 UV-curable digital inkjet label production printer. This innovative machine gives print service providers new business opportunities with digital colour labels and small-format signage, extending users' portfolios of services and enabling them to tap into vertical revenue streams.
The broad range of options being exhibited at FESPA Digital by EFI is representative of the company's dedication to bringing the best products to the digital printing industry. As a world leader in innovative software and production solutions, EFI is continuing to develop and manufacture systems which are designed for end users on all budgets, from entry level up to high end industrial machines.
