Hardware - Industrial Print

Watford-based exhibition and event project management specialist Rocket has announced further invest in new equipment, with the addition of a new superwide format EFI Vutek GS5000r as it prepares for further growth in the exhibition, retail, event and interior market sectors.

The latest investment in additional new equipment follows the company’s recent additional spend and establishment of a significant print industry first, when it became the first company in the UK to implement a Flow+ 2.0 wide-format business workflow system from print software developer, Caldera, earlier this year.

The installation of the versatile 5-metre wide roll to roll Vutek GS5000r UV printer will ensure the business can meet the growing demand for high quality giant format work. The Vutek GS5000r will also enable Rocket to extend the work that it produces for sites where 5 metre size installations are beneficial for logistics, installation and end appearances.

Through the new purchase, Rocket intends to enter a new era of superwide-format productivity, where it can combine speed and quality to produce single rolls up to 5m wide plus multiple rolls of 1.62m for added versatility. With reliable throughput being key, this new machine is able to produce colour accurate results on a huge range of flexible materials.

Rocket worked together with EFI’s UK distributor, CMYUK Digital, to identify that the VUTEk GS5000r would be the ideal device to allow the company to expand effortlessly into the superwide-format market-place.

“We focus on our main strengths of production print and we need the right technology to achieve this. Although we include project management and installation where and when required, we prefer to leave creativity and strategy to our clients, and concentrate on what we do best,” stated Antony Rider, Commercial Director at Rocket.

He continued, “Through our ‘can do’ work philosophy we produce a wide range of applications, often onto new materials, for leading sites such as Wimbledon, Silverstone, Twickenham and Farnborough Air Show, and we liaise closely with design teams to make sure that the visual brand reflects the right vision.”

The Vutek GS5000r is capable of producing billboard outdoor material output at up to 288m² per hour, and can run multiple jobs at once through its new multi-queue functionality. It can also produce high definition Point of Purchase quality material at speeds up to 96m² per hour, and has an advanced three-layering white ink capability for high impact images.

Its flexible 3M premium UV ink enables printing on a wider range of substrates, and its multi-roll capability allows printing on up to three 152cm rolls simultaneously.

Rocket already has long-term relationship with EFI, running a duo of VUTEk QS3200 printers, and the company has grown much of its business around the flat-bed and roll-fed characteristics that these two UV-curable machines incorporate. However, because of the growth in demand for superwide-format applications, and the ability to reduce the numbers of seams and joins in very large jobs, the decision was made to purchase EFI’s 5m VUTEk GS5000r. In addition, the multi-roll capabilities of the machine make it simple to print two and three applications simultaneously.

The company’s impressive equipment roster includes two earlier installations of flat-bed and roll-fed models from VUTEk as well as its QS3200 machines, plus Mimaki JV5 and JV3 roll-to-roll units that are used for close-viewed graphics. For finishing its applications Rocket Graphics has a Zünd flat-bed cutting table, which benefits from a dedicated operator whose CNC experience enables a host of innovative tasks to be produced.

The mix of technologies now employed by Rocket Graphics broadens the types of work that can be produced in the longer term, with  the new 5 metre wide VUTEk GS5000r now enabling the company to produce larger applications profitably with many now generated as a single piece.

“By adding an extra 2 metres in height when working with large graphics for events, exhibitions and retail can make an enormous difference in the way we produce a job,” explains Rider.

“Reducing the number of joins in a piece of material not only results in a neater and more effective result but also simplifies the logistics for installers. Present day UV-curable inks are so good that we can print direct to meshes and thinner materials, too, knowing that we’ll get the adhesion and durability that’s required,” he concludes.

Poland-based Quad/Graphics, one of Europe’s leading print companies with global links, is the first European business to install the Inca Onset Q40i printer launched at FESPA last year.

Quad/Graphics is a commercial printer which is forever broadening its reach into new markets in order to better serve its customers. With offices all over the world, it has already installed an Inca Onset Q40i in the USA to complement its Onset S70 and S50i platforms. As corporate marketing manager for Europe Agnieszka Golebiowska explains, Quad/Graphics is looking to provide the same quality and consistency by making similar investments in Europe.

“We pride ourselves on offering customers a wide breadth of material to suit their every requirement, and with the success the company has been enjoying in the USA off the back of the investments in the Onset devices, we wanted to continue that in Europe.” She continues, “The Onset Q40i was the perfect choice because of its exceptional print quality as well as being such a high speed printing device.”

The Inca Onset Q40i was launched last year to address the growing market for an ultra-high-quality flatbed device. It is aimed particularly at critical print applications such as backlit cosmetics displays, fashion and other closely-viewed graphics.

Andrzej Platek, managing director of commercial print and packaging at Quad/Graphics Europe, adds: “We know already that the Inca large format flatbed printers and Fujifilm ink is the best combination on the market from the extensive research that went into our USA investments. We wanted to replicate that combination in Europe so that we can offer the same level of quality on a global basis, as we are focussing on growing our print applications and meeting the needs of markets across the world.”

“Here at Quad we are serving a variety of industries from food & beverage to personal care and electronics. We are using the Onsets to print display work and a variety of signage and POS related products, depending on exact customer requirements. It has been a significant investment for us, but we feel it is worth it as our clients demand high quality print, and the Onset Q40i can deliver this.”

The need for Quad/Graphics to print short runs using digital technologies is continually increasing. With the Onset printer, it is possible to print short runs that would have been printed on an offset press, whilst making sure that the overall quality that is demanded by customers is maintained. In addition Fujifilm inks provide excellent adhesion and colour reproduction, and the speed and quality combination is second-to-none, which highlighted it as a must-have device.

Andrzej Platek concludes, “The investment in the Inca Onset Q40i is already paying off, and we have been very pleased with the level of service and support that Inca and Fujifilm have given us. We anticipate that the relationship will continue to go from strength to strength, and look forward to the new applications we will now be able to provide customers.”

On the first day of FESPA Digital, EFI and its long-term customer Escher & Theiss Digitaldruck signed a deal for a VUTEk GS3250LX Pro 3.2m printer with LED 'cool curing' and EFI's new 7 pL UltraDrop technology. The UltraDrop technology combines the smallest drop sizes available in its class with greyscale imaging and more precise control for customers that need the ultimate in image quality, crispness and speed.

After the Bavarian-based business was formed in 2008 by Helmut Escher and Alexander Theiss around their initial 5m VUTEk model, they bought a new VUTEk every year for four years, including a GS5000r roll-to-roll printer in 2011. Last year Escher & Theiss added EFI's Pace MIS software, which now enables the company to handle the large numbers of orders it produces each day more efficiently and with improved communications across all departments. Pace has helped Escher & Theiss cement its entrepreneurial skills and build on its early success by bringing the business full accountability and shorter lead times.

"Escher & Theiss have demonstrated great entrepreneurial skills and built a successful company with great people," states Paul Cripps, vice president sales, EFI Europe Middle East & Africa. "We are proud of our strong partnership and looking forward to working with them in the years to come."

With its original superwide-format printer still in daily use, having printed nearly two million metres of material since 2008, it was a logical progression to move up the 5m VUTEk GS5000r for higher colour quality and productivity, and now to LED technology for a wider range of applications and greener production.

"By 2011 our growing customer list was demanding higher colour quality, which led us to increase our roll-to-roll productivity. This resulted in our decision to purchase the VUTEk GS5000r 5m superwide-format printer," states Alexander Theiss, joint managing director at Escher & Theiss. "The high standards and the flexibility of the ink with its three-layer white capability have been instrumental in helping us to win business."

Helmut Escher, joint managing director, adds, "Our relationship with EFI extends beyond print technology to MIS and, as planning is critical to our success, the new VUTEk GS3250LX Pro can be integrated easily into our existing workflow. It will enable us to work to shorter lead times while maintaining the highest quality. Its LED technology means that we can develop applications onto new media and become greener and more energy efficient. At Escher & Theiss we use solar energy when possible and the new printer's cool-cure energy savings will further help reduce our environmental footprint."

The calculations of Fogra's Energy Efficiency Project ("Energy efficiency of large and small format printing systems") have demonstrated that users can save around €16,000 every year on power consumption, an important factor for businesses pricing up jobs on both rigid and flexible materials. EFI's exhibit at Fespa Digital Munich is in Hall B1 Stand 110.

One of the UK’s largest independent print companies, imageData Group, has placed an order for the world’s first Inca Onset R40i, which was launched by Inca Digital and its exclusive global distribution partner, Fujifilm, at FESPA Digital 2014.

Driven by continuous research into leading edge printing technology to support both its business growth and its customers’ needs, imageData Group was impressed by the performance of this latest addition to the Inca Onset series.

David Danforth, CEO at imageData Group, explains, “We boast a long-standing relationship with Fujifilm & Inca, who have been supplying us with excellent inks and high-end digital printing devices for many years. In 2004 we were the UK beta site for Inca’s Columbia Turbo flatbed printer, ultimately installing two of these devices, which was followed by an investment in an Onset S70 in 2007.”

He continues, “Over the last year, we have reviewed the market in search of an exceptionally productive and advanced flatbed printer to join our line-up of large format digital machines at Howden, East Yorkshire. The new Onset R40i we saw on Fujifilm’s stand at FESPA Digital caught our eye due to its perfect mix of features.”

The print quality and production flexibility offered by the new machine were key in the company’s decision-making process. David highlights, “We work with a wide variety of clients across the public, corporate, retail and allied sectors, and are committed to guaranteeing the most efficient, high quality range of services. The Onset R40i boasts productivity of 400m2/hour, a maximum output resolution of 1200dpi, and the ability to handle media up to 50mm thick. We are confident that this combination of features will raise the bar in terms of our productivity and help us to manage a wide variety of new jobs.”

imageData Group has invested in the Onset R40i printer together with the Inca 3/4 automatic material handling system, which provides superb accuracy and flexibility across the complete range of materials used in the POP arena. David concludes, “We believe that the integration between the device and Inca’s proprietary material loader will enable us to print non-stop onto a variety of substrates used in the POP & display markets, improving our efficiency and enabling us to be more competitive.”

Fujifilm has announced the new Acuity F Series, which has specifically been designed for volume sign and display print service providers who have a high demand for rigid media.  As the latest addition to Fujifilm’s Acuity platform, the device produces exceptional print quality at speeds of up to 155m2/hr, and is available as a 6-channel or 7-channel model.

The Acuity F Series maintains all the advantages of the popular and successful Acuity Platform, including near-photographic image quality, versatility and ease of use, but has been optimised for the efficient and high speed production of rigid media applications.

The Series’ true flatbed architecture supports the broadest range of rigid media, including irregularly shaped, heavy, smooth or pre-cut materials. It also allows for the production of multi-layered applications, double-sided or large prints over multiple boards in perfect register, and edge-to-edge printing.

A key feature of the Acuity F is the dual print zones, each with its own vacuum system which can be used independently to allow printing onto substrates of up to 3.05m x 2.5m, 50.8mm thick. Non-stop production is possible as one board can be staged while the other is being printed.

Designed for flexible productivity and for the first time on an Acuity, the device’s pneumatic registration pins means minimal operator involvement. These allow for quick loading in perfect register, as well as its high-flow vacuum system that can perfectly hold down any rigid media, including uneven substrates.

Finally, the Acuity F is equipped with an Automated Maintenance System (AMS) – a new feature in the Acuity range. The AMS cleans the device’s printheads in less than 25 seconds per colour, ensuring that the nozzles are clean and ready to print at any time, maximising productivity.

The Acuity F’s print performance is optimised by Fujifilm’s uniquely formulated Uvijet inks. These incorporate the company’s proprietary ‘Micro-V’ dispersion technology that consistently delivers wide adhesion, superb colour vibrancy and excellent durability in every print.

FESPA Digital 2014 visitors can view the new Acuity F seven channel model on the Fujifilm stand (Hall B1, Stand 530).

Canon has announced the launch of the Océ Arizona 6100 Series, an entirely new printer platform designed for sign and display print service providers who produce approximately 325,000 square feet of printed rigid media per year. Comprised of the six-colour Océ Arizona 6160 XTS device and the seven-colour Océ Arizona 6170 XTS device, the Océ Arizona 6100 Series has been optimised for the efficient and high-speed production of rigid media applications. Designed as a dedicated flatbed system, the series features an extra-large 8-by-10 foot vacuum table to keep media and objects stationary during printing for optimal print quality and rigid media application versatility.

With a focus on pure productivity, the Arizona 6100 series' true flatbed architecture supports a wide range of rigid media applications, including printing on odd-shaped, heavy, smooth or pre-cut rigid media; the production of high value, multi-layer applications; double-sided prints in perfect register; large prints tiled over multiple boards with perfect geometry; and edge-to-edge printing without hassle or mess.

"For users who require high-volume, rigid media printing capacity, these new printers deliver outstanding output quality at high speeds with the broad application range of true flatbed architecture, enabling users to potentially expand the boundaries of their service offerings," said Junichi Yoshitake, senior vice president and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc.

The flatbed table has two independent printing zones, each with its own vacuum system, for simultaneous printing and media loading/unloading. This means one board can be staged and ready while the other is being printed, enabling non-stop production. Alternatively, the two zones can be combined into one to enable 8-by-10 foot prints. Pneumatic registration pins help ensure a quick, repeatable, easy loading of rigid media in systematic register every time. Together with a high-flow vacuum system for effective pull-down of rigid media, it means that the operator needs only seconds to load even the largest boards in systematic register. With media loading this easy, a single operator can service two printers simultaneously, producing almost 50 boards per hour in Production mode.

With almost 27,000 piezoelectric nozzles in a seven-row printing carriage, the Arizona 6100 Series rapidly and reliably produces inkjet print output at speeds up to 1,668 square feet per hour. A newly designed Automated Printhead Maintenance System provides completely automated, hands-free printhead cleaning in less than 25 seconds per colour, making the vast array of nozzles available and ready to print at virtually any time. Employing the same award-winning Océ VariaDot™ printing technology as all other Arizona Series printers, the Océ Arizona 6100 Series offers the same 'near photographic' print quality, while using light inks for reliable printing in even the fastest production modes. Finally, Active Pixel Placement Compensation ensures that every pixel is adjusted to land exactly where intended for accurate, uniform print geometry over the entire flatbed.

The Océ Arizona 6160 XTS printers are easily upgradeable to the Océ Arizona 6170 XTS printer with the addition of one ink channel for white ink applications. Both Océ Arizona 6100 Series models will also support an additional ink channel for future development. A hardware/software interface allows for easy integration with third-party automation and workflow systems.