Large Format Review - Business News

HP today announced the opening of a dedicated demonstration and training centre at Moscow State University of Printing Arts (MSUP), which will boast key digital printing equipment from the company's Graphic Solutions Business (GSB) portfolio.

The new demo centre was officially unveiled at an opening ceremony in association with both Laboratoria Reklamnuh Technologiy and Nissa, representing HP Scitex and HP Indigo equipment respectively, in Russia. Fully operational from today, in association with these local HP partners, the facility will provide invaluable educational tutorials and workshops for MSUP's students, as well as accommodate HP Open House events, customer demonstrations, and special seminars.

MSUP's students are typically training for careers in publishing houses, print shops, book-selling organisations and packaging and design. Numbering around 7000, these students will benefit from a broad line-up of HP's innovative GSB printing equipment. This includes the HP Indigo press 5500 offering high-quality, short-run, personalised printing; as well as the recently launched HP Scitex FB500 Printer, a versatile and robust UV flatbed solution which enables printing onto virtually any rigid or flexible media at up to1200 x 600dpi resolution.

Also part of the digital print arsenal is the 2.6m-wide HP Scitex LX600 Printer which can produce signs and graphics for a wide range of indoor and outdoor applications. The LX600 also uses HP's water-based latex ink technology for an improved printing environment and odourless prints.(1) Finally, the recently introduced, at up to 140m2 per hour, HPZ6200 Designjet Photo Printer will complete the demo centre's impressive array of equipment.

HP Indigo installation provides initial spark

HP's new Moscow demo centre follows MSUP's earlier purchase of its first HP printer in 2007, when it installed an Indigo press as the basis of its digital printing laboratory. This was subsequently followed by a seven-colour HP Indigo press 5500.

The acquisition of HP Scitex printing equipment will broaden the syllabus for students. In addition to Indigo's high-speed VDP offering, this will look at the wealth of application possibilities achievable via the multi-substrate capabilities of both flatbed and roll-to-roll wide-format inkjet technologies. Indeed, in order to properly develop tailor-made tuition courses, MSUP lecturers visited HP Indigo in Israel and HP Scitex in Barcelona for operator training and to learn how to get the most out of the equipment.

As has traditionally been the case with MSUP's HP Indigo equipment, students will be expected to prepare laboratory assignments and coursework for trial printing on the new presses, in order to complete their courses.

"Digital technology has already bought many advantages to the university and our dedicated HP demo centre will most certainly deliver a new level of benefits to students and the wider Russian Graphics Arts market," said Professor Alexander Tsyganenko, rector, Moscow State University of Printing Arts. "The wide-range of HP digital printing devices we now operate will dramatically broaden the scope of our training programme and further students' increased appreciation of digital's immense attributes and the plethora of business opportunities these present.

MSUP's heritage goes back to 1930, with the creation of the Moscow Graphic Arts College. Several years later the college began to instruct the whole scope of graphic arts and publishing curricula and is today a recognised educational and scientific centre within Russia and neighbouring countries.

(1) Printers using HP Latex Inks use internal heaters to dry and cure the latex polymer film. Some substrates may have inherent odour.

Tech8, the online support and on-site engineering service provider, has announced that it will be giving away iPod products with orders placed before 23rd December 2010.

When ordering spare parts totaling £150 and over, customers will receive a free 2Gb iPod Shuffle in a choice of colours.

To qualify for a free iPod Touch, customers need to order products from a list of selected items detailed on the Tech8 website.

The iPods will be delivered in January 2011.

For more information, and further terms and conditions, please visit www.tech8.eu

 

 

Sign on Scotland was established in June 2000 to provide fast, effective, specialist signage services to the commercial property sector.  The organisation manufactures and erects an extensive and diverse array of signage products for commercial agents, landlords, developers and estate managers throughout Scotland.

Sign on Scotland’s products include architectural signage, estate agency ‘for sale’ and ‘sold’ signs, banners, large advertising boards, internal marketing and property and estate management signs and windows graphics.

Being able to respond rapidly to its customers’ needs is a key factor in the success of Sign on Scotland’s business.  Sign on Scotland outputs all its printing requirements on one Mimaki JV3-160SP printer.  This printer needs to be up and running, with limited downtime for maintenance and repairs.

The Mimaki JV3-160SP solvent inkjet printer is low maintenance and can produce photo-quality 720dpi, three year durable outdoor prints.  It is 1.6m in width, can print to a wide range of media and reaches print speeds of up to 19sq metres per hour.

Kenny Noble, Director of Sign on Scotland, explains, “We had a slight issue with our Mimaki JV3 large format digital printer and needed to quickly purchase genuine, replacement Mimaki pumps.  I called one supplier who told me that these parts could only be sold as an ‘engineer fit’ and not simply sent out to me.  This would take too long and it was at this point that another printer engineer I knew recommended I got in contact with Tech8.”

Based in Maidenhead, Tech8 offers a support and onsite engineering service and enables quick and easy access to spares and accessories via telephone or its web-portal. The most commonly-used and required items are dispatched within 24 hours, with delivery available across the globe.

Kenny Noble adds, “I called Tech8 and spoke to one of the technicians.  They were exceptional both from a product knowledge point of view and in their ability to quickly despatch the replacement parts.  I had the parts I needed the very next day.  Tech8 has all the components required to keep a company in productivity when printers breakdown or require parts.”

Justin Atkinson, Technical Manager at Tech8 added, “Our aim is to be able to supply the right support to our customers at all times.  It was a simple request from Sign on Scotland, but speed of delivery was crucial.  We were able to get the pumps to Kenny for the following morning ensuring that his business experienced minimum downtime.”

For further information on Tech8 products and services you can visit their website at www.tech8.eu

To meet growing demand for the company’s UV-LED inkjet printer/cutters, engravers and 3D products, Roland DGA Corp. has formed a new strategic accounts team to capture new business opportunities.

“Roland UV inkjet, engraving and 3D products present tremendous opportunities for growth, and we have taken steps to strengthen our presence in key markets for these products including the label and package prototyping industry, personalisation and industrial marking industries, the educational market and other specialised markets served by our rapid prototyping solutions,” said Rick Scrimger, vice president/general manager for Roland DGA Corp. “It is with pleasure that I announce the promotion of Tony Miller and the addition of Adam Sebran and Grant Davis to our new strategic accounts team.”

Tony Miller, Sales Manager, Strategic Accounts

To lead the team, Roland has promoted Tony Miller to the position of sales manager, strategic accounts. He has more than 17 years of industry experience, including six years in management-level sales and product management positions with Roland as well as technical sales and product management experience with ENCAD and Eastman Kodak Company. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Wheaton College.

Adam Sebran, Business Development Manager, Engraving

Adam Sebran has joined Roland to lead business development efforts for the company’s engraving product line. In this position, Sebran is responsible for channel development for Roland EGX engravers and MPX impact printers. Sebran has 19 years of sales and management experience with industry organisations including MultiCAM and ScanVec, and as owner of Advanced Machine Tool Corp.

Grant Davis, Business Development Manager, UV Products

Roland has hired Grant Davis as part of the team to support business development opportunities for the company’s VersaUV UV-LED inkjet printer/cutter line. Davis brings strong equipment sales experience to the position including 22 years working with Roland products. Most recently, Davis served as vice president of equipment sales and service at Proveer, an authorized Roland dealer. Davis’ background includes experience managing his own dealership and as well as serving as a previous southeastern sales manager for Roland.

The strategic accounts team also includes Glenn Kennedy, who serves as channel sales manager for 3D milling and scanning products, and Matt Owens, business development manager for Roland’s VersaUV UV-LED inkjet printer/cutter line.

“We have a very strong strategic accounts team in place, bringing years of experience to our customers and partners across these markets,” Miller said. “We are well positioned to help our customers and partners build strong businesses and maximise their investment in innovative Roland technology.”

The new DFP family of direct-to-fabric digital printers from ATP Color provides a complete solution that enables printing directly onto polyester and other fabric substrates with flawless results. Available now in the UK and Ireland, from Atech Ltd, the system features precision media handling  and an advanced on-board sublimation unit that together ensure outstanding image quality with rich saturated colors for flags, banners, textiles, and soft signage that maintain their natural drape and texture.

ATPColor Direct-to-Fabric printers provide a very productive workflow with sublimation printing directly onto the fabric then fixing or sublimating with the onboard sublimation unit. Now with the addition of the InLine Cutting System, you can also cut the fabric, while keeping it contained within the footprint of a single compact roll-to-roll printer system.

The ATPColor DFP Series is designed to easily print on open mesh fabrics such as flag material and sports textiles without marking the back side of the fabric with “blow-by” ink. The specially designed ink trough with sponge pad absorbs any ink that passes through the fabric. Designed specifically to meet the demands of high-volume jobs, the system supports long production runs and lower production costs.

The disperse dye sublimation inks are highly advanced, delivering exceptional colour gamut and fastness to sublimated graphics. The ultra-fine dot pattern ensure flawless, even ink coverage and deep, rich colours. This direct-to-fabric printing system is designed to be rugged, reliable and combines trusted performance and reliability with award winning innovative design and print quality.

The ATPColor DFP series is equipped with an intelligent media handling system that communicates directly with the printer to ensure complete control of the media and features two precision stepper motors and synchronized dancer rollers that automatically fine tune the media feeding process to ensure precise movement with every pass of the print head. Also, a special cork covered cylinder can be activated when printing on stretchable media such as Lycra®, spandex and other sports textiles.

Once the fabric has been printed, it passes round a rotating temperature-controlled heated calender equipped with an infrared thermometer. The design ensures consistent heat is maintained across the entire calender surface resulting in even, accurate color. This advanced system monitors every phase of the heating process and makes adjustments to the temperature automatically to ensure images cure quickly and evenly. Although the system was designed to print directly on fabric, you also have the flexibility of printing on dye sub transfer paper for those projects that require it.

Specifically designed for the ATPColor Direct-to-Fabric systems, the InLine Cutting System dramatically increases the printers’ capabilities. The system uses cold knife technology to make sharp flawless cuts and the cutter can be stopped or paused without causing defects in the printed fabric – a significant advantage over traditional hot knife systems.

Features at a glance:

The ATP Color DFP Series printer

• Produce flag, banners, textiles and soft signage with a single system;
• Print directly onto coated or uncoated polyester fabrics;
• No need for transfer paper or separate heat press;
• High Capacity Bulk Ink System – ideal for unattended printing and lower production costs;
• On Board Sublimation System bonds the printed image to the fabric resulting in a permanent, durable image;
• Intelligent Workflow – Roll-to-roll operation minimizes requirement for operator oversight.

The ATPColor InLine Cutting System

• Rotating Stainless Steel Cutter Bar driven by precision 24VDC motor
• Heavy Duty construction for industrial use Cold Knife Technology
• Adjustable Knives, 4 included with the 74” version, 6 included with the 104” version
• Compact Foot Print, with onboard sublimation unit, resulting in no increase in printer footprint includes all accessories necessary for installation.

For more information on the DFP Series textile printers or for a FREE sample, call Atech on 01707 373738 or email allan@atech.co.uk

 

Xennia Technology Ltd, the world’s leading industrial inkjet solutions provider, today announces the completion of the acquisition of Cametrics – known for its ixPressia digital printing software products. This further enhances the integration of Xennia’s XenJet module portfolio, making the benefits of digital inkjet technology – reduced costs, increased productivity and just-in-time customisation – available more quickly and at reduced cost.

Dr Alan Hudd, Xennia’s Managing Director, comments: “We are pleased to join forces with such a peerless software company and its accomplished team. Print software is pivotal to Xennia’s proposition and this acquisition significantly bolsters our inkjet modules and systems portfolio. The acquisition of Cametrics reinforces our ability to support our OEM customers, making inkjet implementation easier for all.”

Xennia and Cametrics have been working together for a number of years. XenJet Cygnus, Xennia’s print software module, is based around Cametrics’ ixPressia PrintEngine product. XenJet Cygnus provides a ‘printer manager’ capable of running all modules of the printing system, including the print engine, fluid controllers, maintenance station, printhead and/or substrate motion and UV curing. XenJet Cygnus prints image files in any standard image format, with full colour management, and handles variable data, such as barcodes and serial numbers, which change from print to print.