Hardware - Industrial Print

EFI has announced that it will showcase the latest in digital print technology at the SGIA Expo, including the VUTEk GS3200 and GS5000r and the QS3220 and QS3200r superwide printers, the Rastek H650 hybrid and T660 flatbed wide-format printers, and an array of workflow solutions. EFI is a Platinum Sponsor of the 2009 SGIA Expo and will be exhibiting in booth 1901, immediately across from the main entrance.

"SGIA is among the top outlets for exhibiting technology and innovation in digital printing, and, in line with that, we'll be showing some incredible products this year," said Fred Rosenzweig, president, EFI. "We're excited for SGIA attendees to see our VUTEk superwide systems as well as our Rastek wide-format systems. We'll also be demonstrating digital workflow management from creation to print with the award-winning EFI Digital StoreFront, EFI PrintSmith, EFI Pace, and XFlow and XF solutions."

EFI will be displaying four VUTEk superwide UV printers at SGIA, including the VUTEk GS3200 3.2-meter flatbed and roll-to-roll hybrid UV printer, which achieves high production speeds and photorealistic quality. With dual resolution capability, the GS3200 enables operators to select between 600 and 1000 dpi, and delivers output speeds of up to 2400 sqft.

"We recently purchased a VUTEk GS3200 digital inkjet printer with white ink print capability for our Crush Creative facility. In order to continue to support a variety of display designs we receive from our major retail clients, we needed to expand our print offerings. The VUTEk GS3200 now gives us the added capability and capacity to quickly produce a diverse range of eight color and white ink applications on rigid and flexible materials. As we see it, our investment in this latest digital inkjet technology was an investment in Merisel's future," said Chuck Murphy, vice president operations, Merisel, New York.

The VUTEk GS5000r roll-to-roll UV printer combines POP quality with billboard production speeds. Users can produce applications such as exhibition graphics and digital textiles, as well as billboards, banners and other traditional 5-meter applications. Both of the VUTEk GS Series printers on display at SGIA allow businesses to stay ahead of the competition by providing a way to differentiate and offer expanded options of applications and substrates.

The VUTEk QS3220 combines High-Definition Print (HDP) with high production speeds for eye-popping images with resolutions up to 1080 dpi at up to 900 sqft. Like the GS3200, the QS3220 saves valuable floor space by producing roll-to-roll and rigid applications on one machine.

The VUTEk QS3200r UV roll-to-roll printer expands application options compared to traditional solvent roll-to-roll printing by enabling printers to reduce their VOC output while delivering enhanced image quality and improved workflow. The QS3200r offers a cost-effective, high-quality roll-to-roll platform for mid-size print shops that require high-resolution prints and great productivity.

The Rastek H650 UV hybrid flatbed delivers best-in-class image quality at an affordable price. It is the perfect choice for production and print shop environments where quick service, superior image quality and smaller footprints are the keys to customer satisfaction and increasing profit. The printer expands businesses' portfolios and profits with its four color and optional white ink support for spot color and under and overprinting. The Rastek H650 can handle materials up to 65 inches wide and 1.8 inches thick.

EFI's Rastek T660 5 by 4 foot UV flatbed generates photographic image quality to meet even the most demanding customer's expectations on a wide range of rigid and flexible media, including glass and aluminum. This printer stands out from other entry-level wide-format systems because of its white ink capability and crisp four-point text. EFI's new partnership with HumanEyes gives the Rastek T660 even more flexibility and versatility, as operators can now use HumanEyes Producer3D software to easily create and print amazingly-realistic lenticular pieces that employ special effects such as 3D, flip, zoom and motion. These resolution and lenticular enhancements translate into superior quality and the ability to create more memorable specialty items, giving users an additional competitive advantage over other print businesses.

In addition to its digital inkjet technology, EFI will be demonstrating integrated workflow solutions from job acquisition and management to preparation and production. Included in the workflows will be the award-winning EFI Digital StoreFront web-to-print solution, the integrated, browser-based EFI Pace Print MIS solution, the market-leading EFI PrintSmith management system, and the professional-level RIP, Fiery XF with the XFlow option for effectively managing different files and jobs.

"We're looking forward to showing SGIA Expo attendees that EFI technology can help their businesses run more efficiently and more profitably," added Rosenzweig. "From creation to print, EFI has the solutions for business success."

Durst has introduced the new Rho 900 Large-Format UV Inkjet Printer- a 98" wide printing platform that combines more efficient automated media handling and "process colour additions" with high-speed printing capabilities to deliver far greater productivity and a wider colour gamut.

The unveiling took place at the SGIA Expo, under way this week in New Orleans. Attendees are being introduced to a high-quality printing platform that simplifies media handling with its automated feeder system, and makes reproduction of even difficult corporate colours possible by printing orange and green or orange and violet process colours - with no special file preparation required.

The new Rho 900 is equipped with Durst's Quadro 30D Array print head technology to deliver high speed, improved efficiency and exceptional image quality. Its media handling incorporates an auto-feed table with belts, sheet feed gate with guides for parallel board printing, and automatic two-point pin registration system to ensure accurate front-to-back registration.

The Rho 900's process colour additions are printed in the same mode as its CMYK process colours. No special file preparation is necessary. These additional colours can be printed - even with white ink or light colours - with no loss in output speed. This enables much smoother colour gradients and more even solids at production-level output speeds.

Top speed of the six-colour Rho 900 is up to 216 boards (125x80cm) per hour. The user can incorporate the process coluor additions with no loss of print speed.

"The Rho 900 also can print white, varnish or light colours along with the new additional process colours to expand the possibilities of print jobs and applications," said Michael Lackner, Marketing Manager at Durst US.

New options deliver more speed, gloss and quality modes - plus the ability to reduce costs
 
7th October 2009 - Today Inca Digital launches two new options designed to boost the flexibility and productivity of the award-winning Inca Onset UV flatbed printer. One option provides new print techniques delivering higher print speeds as well as two new higher quality print modes. The other delivers higher-end gloss, the ability to improve adhesion on difficult substrates and more versatility with heat-sensitive materials through reduced power consumption.

The Inca Onset was launched just over two years ago and still remains the world's highest productivity UV digital flatbed printer printing sizes up to 3.2 x 1.5m (10.5x 5 ft) with a throughput of 600 sqm/hr (6,458sqft /hr). Incorporating an automated handling system, over 73,000 inkjet nozzles jetting 30 picolitre drops and using the latest generation Fujifilm Sericol Uvijet ink, the Inca Onset has been designed for speed and is ideal for companies with high-volume digital production needs. It produces superb quality display graphics economically for a range of applications including: display POP, exhibition graphics, backlit displays and outdoor signage.
 
New printing techniques developed by Inca now give the option of a further 16 per cent increase in throughput up to 700sqm/hr (7,534 sqft/hr), equivalent to 145 full-bed sheets (or 435 60in x 40in posters) an hour. Alongside the ability to cut job turnaround times and improve production efficiency, this option also allows companies to print in new quality modes to achieve top quality results at speed.

The Inca Onset has always provided edge-to-edge satin and semi-gloss finish modes as standard. A second new option now gives users an even wider range of gloss levels to provide enormous choice of print finish. Included in this option is the latest UV lamp technology which reduces the input power required to cure UV ink on most substrates. This delivers like for like UV power output with up to 30 percent power input reduction. It also expands the range of heat sensitive materials that can be printed and cured without risk of cracking, buckling or surface damage.

"We will continue to push the boundaries of our inkjet technology to give companies the best and most flexible results from our machines," says Heather Kendle, Inca Digital Director of Marketing. "Quality and productivity are extremely important to Inca Onset users and these latest options allow them to provide an even wider offering to their customers very competitively."

The new gloss/power mode and speed increase options announced today are available to existing and new Inca Onset users.  Inca Onset UV inkjet printers are available exclusively from Fujifilm Sericol www fujifilmsericol.co.uk

Company plans to penetrate new markets and increase its sales by 50 percent

HP today announced that Carmel Container Systems Ltd, of Caesarea, Israel, has purchased a new HP Scitex FB7500 Printer, complementing its existing HP Scitex FB6700 Printer.

Carmel Container Systems, a public company, is Israel's largest designer and manufacturer of paper-based packaging solutions for the agricultural, food and beverage, and industrial sectors for local and export markets. With an annual turnover of some $100 million, Carmel is one of Israel's top 100 industrial firms. The company attributes the highest importance to embracing new technology in order to continuously extend its capabilities and maintain its leadership position.

Doron Kempler, general manager, said, “HP technology provides us with new options. We thought that the speed, the high print quality and the broad range of substrates that the printer offers would most effectively support our goal to expand. Combining these with our original corrugated packaging solutions has allowed us to branch out into new areas and to compete in market segments that are significantly more profitable.”

The HP Scitex FB7500 Printer is designed for screen printers and provides users the highest productivity digital flatbed printer in its price class, with the ability to produce 105 (1.2 x 2.4m) sheets or 95 full beds (3.6m x 1.6m) per hour. The machine uses a six-colour process to maximise print-quality and enhance applications that span POP displays, signage, exhibition graphics, backlit displays, bus shelters, posters and more.

Although only recently installed, Carmel’s new printer is already hard at work enabling the company to provide digitally printed jobs they were previously unable to execute. A typical example, and one of their first projects, is a 100-piece short run printed on a double layered (EF-flute) corrugated cardboard for the Israel branch of a leading global healthcare products manufacturer.

Yoram Pirani, Carmel Caesarea’s operations manager, described the company’s plans, “We intend to enter into the plastic substrates market as well as to produce short run orders for our current customers. HP technology enables both and will allow us to meet our goal to increase our sales by 50 percent.” Pirani continued, “We are the leaders in the field of printing on rigid substrates and intend to maintain our market position. We look forward to seeing how HP technology might continue to help us to do so in the future.”

Reading-based digital printer VgL has ordered an Inca Onset S20 flatbed digital printer from Fujifilm Sericol which will be installed in October.  The machine is the latest purchase in the company's continuous cycle of investment.  "The Inca Onset S20 will change the landscape of what we do", says VgL managing director Michael Ayerst.  "It will add considerable capacity and allow us not only to grow our small and medium run volume display business, but also expand into and offer a competitive service on longer runs."

VgL already has an extensive plant list that includes the UK's first Inca Eagle in its two Reading factories, one of which houses digital printing and the other screen printing employing 75 staff between them.  The company produces a diverse range of work from labels to building wraps, including the widest format photographic output in the UK, and high quality textile and wallpaper printing.

"If someone is buying print from one of the hundreds of smaller flatbed machines, then they are not buying the right thing", says Ayerst.  "They should be buying output from the Inca Onset S20 as it will be better value, it will be quicker and it will be higher quality."

The VgL Inca Onset S20 uses Fujifilm Sericol's 6-colour Ultratone Uvijet inks with orange and violet to produce a wide colour gamut.  "Adding Ultratone is really important to us", says Ayerst.  "We work a lot with fashion retailers and a close colour match is critical as the point of sale must match the garment.  With Ultratone it is easy to get a much closer match than before."  Another feature that is expected to prove popular with customers is the Inca Onset S20's ability to produce a variety of gloss finishes, from satin through to high gloss.  This is achieved by the curing process rather than the addition of a separate varnish.

The Inca Onset S20 features printheads on a full print width colour bar producing high-quality resolution of 600-1,000 dpi.  It can handle substrates up to 50mm thick with a maximum image area of 3.14m x 1.6m, at speeds up to 250sqm/hr, or 50 full bed sheets per hour.  The combination of Inca Digital's engineering expertise plus innovative ink formulation means that the Inca Onset S20 is an excellent fit for companies operating 24/7.

"We know from seeing our Eagle being built at the factory in Cambridge that Inca machines are fantastic pieces of engineering", says Ayerst.  "When we look to invest in a machine, we want quality and consistency and that's what that engineering gives.  Our customers need to know that the machine will be up and running reliably and that the quality will be consistent, and with the Inca Onset S20 it will be."

VgL's recent investment in a Kongsberg digital cutting table puts support in place to handle the increase in output.  "Our customers know that they can throw us almost any task and it is no problem", says Ayerst. "Whether it is wrapping a building, wrapping a van or a big retail point of sale, we have an awful lot of flexibility and technical expertise and equipment to cope with it."

The company has invested heavily in keeping its kit up to date and believes its customers keep coming back because they are confident of the quality, speed and reliable service they will receive.  "We are probably better at making sure that we have the right equipment base than we are at marketing ourselves", says Ayerst.  "Our customers already know that we can fulfil their requirements to the standard that they want and the Inca Onset S20 will give them even more confidence, with its increased output and quality."

Mimaki‘s exclusive distributors for the UK and Ireland, Hybrid Services Ltd, are offering an above-market-value £8,000 when customers trade in their existing baby grand format Mimaki printer against one of the new JV33-260 models.

With a list price of just £39,995, the JV33-260 is already excellent value – given its combination of print quality, speed and production features – and its fully inclusive, two year Gold warranty means customers who take advantage of this promotion are benefiting not only from a significant discount, but also effectively cover the cost of their old service contract too.

The Mimaki JV33-260S shares the class leading print quality of Mimaki’s current solvent printer range and produces vibrant, long lasting output onto banner, vinyl, paper, canvas and many other materials using the Mimaki SS21 low odour, full solvent inkset. Capable of running in high speed mode (with the 4 colour inkset), or taking advantage of Mimaki’s bright, opaque white ink in hi-fi mode (6 colour plus white) its built in big ink system means long production runs are possible without needing to pause for replenishing inks.

Coupled to this are the machine’s impressive powered feed and take-up unit that ensure consistent tracking of media across the full 2,600mm print width. The JV33-260 ships with Mimaki’s RasterLink Pro SG RIP software – a 16 bit, full PostScript application, that features powerful production tools and deals effortlessly with the types of files associated with grand format reproduction.

Hybrid’s National Sales Manager, John de la Roche tells us; “It’s important to get in touch without delay, as the promotion is only due to run during October. We’ve got a demonstration machine in our showroom, and we look forward to helping our customers trade up to the latest, fastest and best printer in its class.”