Hardware - Industrial Print

SGIA 2010 Expo attendees will be the first to see the new :Jeti 3020 Titan. The latest from the :Jeti family of products, the :Jeti 3020 Titan range starts with a 16 head unit delivering an impressive 1,216 ft²/hr(113 m²/hr) and up to a massive 48 heads, at 2,430 ft²/hr(226 m²/hr). In total, the :Jeti 3020 Titan offers ten different levels of speed and capability can be utilized to fit exact business needs.

"Agfa is aggressively developing inkjet systems that will help printers be more competitive. And now with the addition of the Pitman Company's product offerings, we have the inkjet media, finishing solutions and additional printers to offer customers. Print is evolving and we are working collectively to help printers stay ahead of market constraints. New high margin printed and high demand applications like retail signage, tradeshow graphics, fleet graphics are the future," said Deborah Hutcheson, Director of Marketing, Agfa Graphics, North America.

In addition to the new :Jeti 3020 Titan, SGIA attendees will see:

New! :Anapurna 2050 - UV-curable inkjet printer designed to give users a cost-effective solution for speed and 1440 dpi display printing

:Anapurna Mw - produces single-pass pre-white and multi-pass post-white for printing on transparent material, backlit applications, or printing white as a spot color

:Anapurna M4f -- a four-color, flatbed, wide format industrial inkjet printer designed for printing high quality POP, displays, posters, exhibition panels, stage graphics, ad panels and more. With a print resolution of 720x1440 dpi, the M4f prints on a large variety of media up to 63 inches wide. The optional roll-to-roll unit adds additional versatility

New! :Jeti 1224 HDC FTR (flat to roll), a high-productivity UV inkjet printer featuring High Definition Color capabilities will also be running live during the show. This system offers the best true flatbed combined with true roll to roll capability on the market. The 96" wide flatbed architecture of the :Jeti 1224 HDC allows for printing on virtually anything that is reasonably flat up to five cm thick. It is ideally suited for high resolution trade show graphics, POS (Point-of-Sale) displays, real estate signs, backlit signs, lenticular displays, high resolution banners, ceramic tiles, wood and many more flatbed applications

:Jeti 3324 Aquajet -- the #1 fabric printer on the market, prints up to 10.5 feet wide with production speeds of more than 400 ft²/hr. It's a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to solvent-based fabric technologies

Applications produced on Agfa's :M-Press TIGER a high-speed UV flatbed inkjet press, and :Dotrix high-speed UV web inkjet printing press will also be on hand during the SGIA Expo.

Agfa Graphics and Pitman have also invited several vendor partners into their SGIA booth. The goal of this effort is to provide SGIA 2010 attendees with a complete array of solutions to fit their total business needs. These include inkjet media products from Neschen, Duratex, Avery, 3M, InteliCoat Technologies and 3PTextiles. Agfa Graphics and Pitman vendor partners also include Inkjet Hardware providers, showing products ideal for entry level market:

Epson GS 6000 Low Solvent Printer - 64" Roll-to-Roll printer that delivers unparalleled color gamut, image quality, reliability and print speeds with new safer solvent-based ink technology.

HP L25500 Printer - Users can produce outdoor signage with durability comparable to eco-solvent inks and achieve high-quality results-that meet clients' branding requirements-for all your indoor signage applications, from exhibition graphics to interior decorations. Print on a wide range of media, including coated media or polyester fabric and low-cost papers without treatments.

 

EFI  today introduced two new entry-level production wide-format digital inkjet UV printers, the Rastek H652 UV hybrid and the Rastek T1000 UV flatbed, aimed at production print shop environments where fast service, superior image quality and printing on the widest range of substrates are the keys to customer satisfaction and increasing profits. The new printers will be on display in EFI's booths at Graph Expo (Booth #2000, 3-6 October in Chicago) and SGIA (Booth #413, 13-15 October in Las Vegas).

"The Rastek H652 and T1000, the newest wide-format printers from EFI, offer stunning greyscale print quality up to 1200 dpi along with white ink capabilities, all at production speeds.  This provides print shops the opportunity to expand their offerings into new, unique applications to both grow and differentiate their businesses", said Scott Schinlever, vice president and general manager of EFI Rastek and EFI ink business. "Bringing these printers to market is yet another example of EFI's dedication to providing customer-focused solutions that provide superior profits to our customers".

EFI's Rastek H652 UV hybrid builds on the success of the popular H650, adding nearly twice the speed without sacrificing image quality. Reaching speeds of up to 42 sq metres per hour in greyscale print quality with resolution up to 1200 dpi, the new Rastek H652 handles a wide range of rigid and flexible materials up to 4.5 cm thick and 162.5 cm wide, making it the perfect, affordable entry-level production UV hybrid solution for businesses that want to offer wide-format applications ranging from banners and billboards to posters and point-of-purchase graphics. With white ink capabilities and greyscale high resolution print quality, the H652 delivers saturated colours and smooth gradients.

EFI's Rastek T1000 flatbed has a three-zone, 132 x 249 cm vacuum table with the versatility to quickly and easily handle materials up five cm thick, including difficult-to-handle substrates that require superior hold-down.  With speeds up to 43 sq metres per hour and greyscale print quality with resolution up to 1200 dpi, the T1000 is ideal for creating head-turning posters, point-of-purchase advertisements including lenticular, along with speciality industrial applications such as membrane switches and packaging applications.  The T1000 offers white ink capabilities with no compromise in print speeds, with the ability to print in white at the same speed as CMYK.

Both the Rastek H652 and the Rastek T1000 expand the range of unique, high-margin applications that will differentiate businesses from their competition and help fuel profits for sustainable growth. For more information on the EFI Rastek H652 and T1000 wide-format digital printers, visit EFI at Graph Expo (Booth #2000) in Chicago from 3-6 October or at SGIA (Booth #413) in Las Vegas from 13-15 October.

 

DPC Signs prides itself on using the latest technology to create and manufacture a wide range of signage and it was with this in mind that the company purchased an HP Designjet L65500 Latex Printer (now the Scitex LX600) and a RollsRoller Flatbed Applicator from William Smith.

“They were purchased to replace three older machines, which they have easily done, and to ensure that we are ready for the upturn in the economy,” says DPC director Dave Taylor. “They have given us already the potential to quote on larger volume work.”

The Latex printer, which was chosen for its increased production opportunities and environmental impact, is used mainly to produce large format graphics and multiple panels, e.g. for large advertising hoardings.

The HP latex inkjet range of printers, for both indoor and outdoor applications, use water based inks that are non-hazardous and free of VOCs. The images are produced odourless and cure instantly, therefore can be used straight away, giving vast improvements in turnaround. Furthermore, a wider range of print media can be used.

“The quality of the print is amazing and the latex ink doesn’t alter the texture of vinyls, as solvent printing does.”

Speed, consistency and fast drying have also proven to be significant benefits.

“Although we run the machine slightly slower than full capacity to ensure quality, because the ink dries immediately when we’re producing an 80m print in 5m panels we can complete a panel in six minutes.”

The RollsRoller was purchased to facilitate increased throughput of work without the need for additional staff, and is mainly used for applying large panels onto Foamex.

The RollsRoller is a simple and accurate way to apply self-adhesive films or application tapes to many flat and dry substrates. It is suitable for use on flexible face skins and banners, large format digital prints and other self-adhesive materials, as well as rigid sign panels up to 70mm thick. It is easy to install, space saving, time saving, offers increased productivity and efficiency, and provides a safer working environment.

“We only had two men who could confidently applicate large panels; now all staff can do it. Our capacity for throughput has more than doubled with the same number of staff.”

“It’s considerably faster than we could achieve previously and we get no restrictions or bottle-necks on the laminating process. All the staff like using it, in fact one member of staff commented ‘Every time I use it, I’ve got a big smile on my face!’.”

“The service from William Smith is amazing, with excellent follow-up. They are a nice company to deal with - very helpful and friendly, and our few teething problems were resolved very quickly,” concludes Mr. Taylor.

generation druck Uses Three HP Designjet Printers to Deliver a Print Service that Helps Reduce the Impact on the Environment

HP announced today that generation druck GmbH, of Wettstetten, Germany, has invested in an HP Designjet Z6100 Printer, an HP Designjet L25500 Printer and an HP Scitex LX800 Printer to develop an environmentally aware sign and display printing service.

Established in June 2010 by co-owners Rainer Schmid and Christian Langen, generation druck was conceived as a company that would print with the environment in mind, and then move further into eco-solutions utilising green sources for substrates, energy, vehicles and other activities. In addition to offering print, generation druck also provides design services to its customers.

"This is a first step," said Schmid. "We're excited by the large format industry and market, but wanted to get away from the odours in the print rooms for health reasons and because we knew that now there was a better way of doing things. The water-based inks in all our HP printers make a big difference to our working environment."

The selection of the three HP printers will enable the company to print a wide range of applications including signage, vehicle wraps, billboards, wallpaper, POP/POS displays and other products for indoor and outdoor use. Finishing is done on its own cutting machine that handles substrates up to 1.7m wide, suiting the company's printers.

"As part of taking this first step into offering an environmentally friendly service, we are paying special attention to non-PVC substrates and talking to HP about using its range of recyclable substrates and its take-back programme for printheads, ink cartridges and certain substrates," Schmid explained.

The HP Designjet L25500 and the HP Scitex LX800 Printers use HP Latex Inks which, because they are water-based, omit no odours(1) and can be used indoors in hotels, restaurants, clubs, supermarkets, and even in private homes.

"I knew HP printers from my previous work," Schmid continued. "They were always easy to use and maintain and the print was always high-quality. I got to know the sales people and the engineers, so when we set up generation druck, we not only had the assurance of the printer quality, but the advantage of good advice from people we knew.

"One of our early jobs was for a wall covering which the LX800 does extremely well and the customer was very pleased with the result. The quality of the image and the fast and easy production impressed the customer very much," Schmid said. "The potential for this and other indoor graphics made possible by water-based inks is enormous and exciting."

PSPs can find local printers offering similar innovative applications by visiting www.hp.com/go/pspnetwork.

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

For the fourth year in a row, Screen (USA) returns to SGIA Expo with the latest innovations for specialty imaging. The award-winning Truepress Jet2500UV will be the center of attention in the Screen booth at this year's SGIA show in Las Vegas, Nev. Live print demonstrations will showcase the vivid colors, exceptional image detail and sharp text that print service providers can offer their customers.

Designed as a true hybrid printing system, Screen's grand-format UV inkjet printer effortlessly handles both flexible, roll-based materials and flat, rigid substrates. The 98.4-inch-wide Truepress Jet2500UV produces near-photographic quality on paper, vinyl, film and other roll-fed media up to 164 feet long at a top production speed of 366 square feet per hour. It delivers equally superior results on rigid materials up to 51.1 inches long and 1.96 inches thick. Screen's original flexible UV-curable inks and variable-dot imaging technology and maximum resolution of 1,500 dpi ensure precise, smooth gradients and mid-tones and dense, uniform solids.

With industrial printing generating considerable attention at SGIA Expo 2010, Screen also will feature the Truepress Jet650UV flatbed UV inkjet printer. Screen developed the Truepress Jet650UV to bring outstanding quality and print-on-demand efficiency to graphic manufacturing applications. It allows designers to go far beyond the restrictions of traditional screen and pad printing for high-resolution production of dashboards and instrument clusters found in automobiles, motorcycles and other vehicles. Furthermore, the printing system fulfills the precision and visual confirmation requirements of membrane switches, labels and operation panels used in the manufacture of medical devices. At SGIA Expo 2010, Screen will provide printed samples, brochures and a video of the Truepress Jet650UV.

What: SGIA Expo 2010

When: October 13-15

Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

Screen (USA) Booth: #147

 

HP today announced that Jet Print Storbilderat, of Uddevalla, Sweden, signed a deal at FESPA to purchase the HP Scitex XP5100 Printer.

The HP Scitex XP5100 5m machine can print at speeds of up to150m2/hr, producing both prints for outdoor applications such as building wraps, and billboards, as well as high-quality indoor signage, including point-of-purchase displays. It supports substrates including polyethylene, paper, mesh, vinyl, textiles, and Tyvek.

Magnus Hansson, general director, Jet Print said: "Our customers are increasingly demanding super-wide, high-quality textile prints and front-lit applications. The XP5100 will ensure that we are able to exceed these expectations".

With its robust media loading and collecting features and a heavy-duty frame, this printer is designed for production environments like that of Jet Print, that operate 24/7.