Hardware

At West 2011, an event co-sponsored by The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the US Naval Institute, HP demonstrated its expanded portfolio of HP Latex Printing Technologies designed to broaden production capabilities for public sector customers with ease while reducing their environmental impact.

On display in booth #609, the HP Designjet L25500 Printer delivers easy, low-maintenance printing of a wider range of applications—from indoor point-of-purchase displays, exhibition graphics and interior décor to outdoor banners, bus shelters and vehicle wraps—than is possible with eco-solvent or traditional water-based printing alone. Since introduction, the HP Designjet L25500 Printer and HP Latex portfolio have seen tremendous market acceptance with more than 3,000 latex ink printing systems shipped, producing more than 100 million square feet of materials.

"Combining versatility and durability with the ability to lower the impact of printing on the environment, the HP Designjet L25500 Printer is truly a unique large-format printing option for public sector customers," said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager, Americas Graphics Solutions, HP. "This proven HP Latex ink device is easy to use for indoor or outdoor signage, durable maps and even PVC-free wallpaper, all at a remarkably low cost per page."

Available in 42- and 60-inch models, the HP Designjet L25500 Printer delivers unrivaled versatility for a broad range of high-quality and flexible, outdoor and indoor applications and durability comparable to eco-solvent inks while meeting the needs of environmentally conscious customers.

The ease of use afforded by water-based HP Latex Inks and HP 789 Designjet Printheads enables an easy transition into large-format or outdoor printing for public sector office environments, entry-level sign shops, photo labs and digital printers thanks to unattended printing with no daily printhead maintenance required, user-replaceable printheads and an embedded spectrophotometer for accurate and consistent colour across prints and between printers.

Designed to reduce the impact of printing on the environment, HP Latex Inks produce odourless prints that allow placement in point-of-purchase environments where odour is a concern. HP Latex Inks are non-flammable and non-combustible, do not require hazard warning labels, and contain no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Additionally, no special ventilation equipment or external dryer is required and the HP Designjet L25500 Printer features the ENERGY STAR rating, which demonstrates compliance with strict energy-efficiency guidelines.

To complement the Latex Ink portfolio, HP offers a variety of Original HP printing materials, including several recyclable and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free substrates as well as the HP large-format Media take-back program. This program allows customers to easily return and recycle prints produced with HP Latex Inks on HP recyclable media and Original HP 789 Latex Designjet Ink Cartridges and Printheads for free. Customers simply pack up the used media and HP pays the shipping charges and handles sorting and recycling.

 

Imagefactory, a Wiltshire-based display graphics company, has selected the HP Scitex FB7500 flatbed printer to help it achieve its aims of being more competitive on price, increasing its capacity and improving its response times.

Due to be installed in February 2011, the new printer will – according to Imagefactory’s Head of Digital Technologies, Tim Boore – “increase our digital printing speed by more than four times.”

He adds, “Although our existing digital equipment is very good, it can struggle on long runs due to print speeds. The cost savings associated with digital production over screen are evident.”

Beyrich DigitalService GmbH & Co. KG, based in Brunswick, Germany, has extended its wide-format printing services with the recent installation of an HP Scitex XP5100 Printer. The latest addition to the company's printing arm follows the previous installation of an HP Scitex LX600 Printer(1).

Beyrich offers digital printing services for outdoor advertising campaigns, exhibitions, and for the interior design industry, and prints onto a wide range of media such as paper, foil and textiles. Other customers served by the company include museums, advertising agencies, the automotive industry, and the fashion industry.

 

The first Roland DG VersaUV LEC-540 UV-curable printer to be sold in Europe has been installed at Kent based packaging specialist, Beams International. This innovative wide-format print-and-cut system, which offers colour managed proofing and prototyping as well as high quality display production, features a 1.37m width plus white ink and clear varnish. It was selected for its unparalleled versatility, low investment cost and accuracy of output on all materials.

Beams International specialises in the design and manufacture of gift packs, and packaging of goods for promotions in the food and drinks’ industry. The company creates and produces branded and bespoke items for the retail market in the UK and overseas, designed to build awareness for consumers through innovative and unusual packaging solutions.

Realising that its existing wide-format proofing system was limited because its aqueous-based inks were not able to output to the actual materials used in a final production run, Beams wanted a solution which would provide a true simulation of its packaging creations. Working with UK specialist Roland DG’s partner, Revolution, the company opted for the print-and-cut versatility of the VersaUV LEC-540 which uses flexible UV-curable inks and outputs extremely high quality results onto a broad range of substrates.
Because of the special finishes incorporated into its packaging prototypes, Beams also required a combination system which not only could print, crease and cut but was able to simulate accurate proofs on a variety of materials. Being able to produce precise mock-ups, incorporating both matched colour and accurate folding, was of vital importance to the company so that brand owners and customers could view and touch a true representation of finished products.

“From the moment that we ordered the new printer we had a demand for its unique capabilities and since its installation and commissioning we have been able to produce prototype packaging that is as good as the real thing,” states Matthew Russell, Commercial Director at Beams International. “Our customers have been able to understand in an instant what our proposition is and what the finished packaging will eventually look like.”

Jan Edgecombe, managing director of Revolution, comments: “For Beams International it was essential for the company to invest in a dedicated proofing solution which could produce accurate mock-ups and prototypes for the quality end of the bespoke food and drink markets. The existing aqueous-based system was restrictive because it couldn’t be used for proofing onto the final material and, with an increase in demand for specialist finishes, both highly opaque white and a versatile clear varnish also bring added value.
“Roland’s VersaUV LEC-540 is a complete print-and-cut solution that incorporates LED curing so that even the most difficult materials can be dried satisfactorily,” continues Edgecombe. “Combined with its high quality output and ability to produce a range of different finishes and textures, this machine is proving itself in the packaging and labelling sectors for short runs and specialist applications, as well as for proofing and prototyping.”

Beams International, was formed nearly 14 years ago to develop gift products for retailers and duty free outlets. The company, which already had considerable experience within the beer, wine and spirit industry, concentrates on the packaging and branding of original and licensed products with emphasis on special promotions.

Based in Coalville, Leicester, Revolution supplies a wide range of printers, materials and software, and has developed a strong reputation for providing added-value solutions for all wide-format users including display producers, fine art specialists and proofing companies. The company also concentrates on colour management and profiling, an area of particular importance and relevance to the prototyping market.

The Roland VersaUV LEC-330 and LEC-540 are UV-curable print-and-cut solutions which offer modestly-priced turnkey systems for very high quality graphics and text for a variety of applications. For proofing and prototyping, this duo of combination machines is ideal for packaging and labelling, with the ability to output direct onto metallic and synthetic papers, PE and PET films, BOPP, card stocks and plastic boards, polycarbonates and other rigid materials up to 1mm in thickness.

Designed to integrate with a colour managed workflow, fully accurate results can be achieved even on difficult and unusual substrates, such as suede and leather. The Roland VersaUV produces output up to a maximum of 1440 x 1440dpi, and benefits from the addition of white and clear varnish to its CMYK palette, enabling complex and tactile graphics. The use of UV-curable flexible inks allows jobs to be cut, creased and folded without any chipping or flaking, with a tough and durable finish on all surfaces.

“This installation of the first LEC-540 at Beams International is a clear indication of how print businesses who need consistent and accurate proofing onto all materials can benefit from Roland technology,” confirms Steve Chappell, Business Manager – Packaging and Proofing at Roland DG. “Not only is the VersaUV a low-cost versatile integrated print-and-cut option for this type of production, it is also chemistry-free and can be used in a normal office or studio environment.”

Further information is available by contacting Matthew Russell at Beams International Ltd, 4a Bloors Lane, Rainham, Gillingham, Kent ME8 7EG, telephone 01634 265480, e-mail enquiries@beamsint.com. Jan Edgecombe at Revolution can be reached at The Factory, 43 North Avenue, Coalville LE67 3QX, telephone 01530 510080, e-mail sales@revolutiontransfers.co.uk.

 

To stamp its mark further on the wide format digital scene, Speedscreen has placed an order for a Durst 320 R UV roll to roll machine .

Tim Hill, Speedscreen's owner and Managing Director comments, "It was a natural progression for us.  I always had it in mind to augment our UV digital production capability with another machine, I just wasn't sure for a while what that machine would be. Our last major purchase was the Durst 800 hybrid machine which prints flat rigid material and would also do rolls up to 2.5 m wide. Whilst it was the perfect fit for us, I could see the advantages of keeping the 800 as a dedicated flat bed and then have a separate roll to roll UV machine. It wasn't a difficult decision to stay with the Durst family, especially having seen the machine demonstrated at the factory and having witnessed its massive capability at a German customer site. I can honestly say I was blown away once again by the consistent quality of print and level of engineering excellence that comes with a Durst.  A new software development called pass overlap has been added.  Whilst it slows the print speed by 7%, the total absence of banding was truly impressive at all speed levels - and I threw some pretty mean files at them!  The ability to run truly unattended overnight really swung the deal for me, with the machine sending a text to say job is finished.  My biggest frustration is the 12 week lead time for delivery."

He adds, "The difference with Durst is that the organisation builds to order.  We have gone for all the bells and whistles on this model - a dual roll facility, a double sided print option, White overprint and light magenta/ light cyan plus an in line cutting option.  The extras list does bump up the price, but it's a bit like buying an Audi or BMW - it's the extras that make an already good car into a great car.  This investment is some 6 months ahead of our intended next development phase, but with the continued growth and demand for our digital business I have brought things forward." 

Installation of the 3.2 m wide machine should take place in early April 2011.

Océ, an international leader in digital document management and delivery, today announced the launch of the Océ TDS750 large format printing system. The new Océ TDS750 printer offers architects and engineers a fast, easy and reliable solution for their large format print, copy and scan needs. Based on the multi-award winning Océ TDS700, the Océ TDS750 provides a reliable, environmentally-friendly printing solution for departmental or print room environments.

Fast and productive large format printer

Engineering departments can easily meet their challenging deadlines with the consistent print speed of 9 D prints per minute and no warm-up time for the Océ TDS750. Load the system with 6 media rolls and up to 1,200m capacity for long uninterrupted printing, making it ideal for productive central print rooms. With secure print job management features, customers can prioritize urgent jobs and quickly complete projects.
Easy and intuitive

The Océ TDS750 was designed with the user in mind and makes using all aspects of the machine simple and intuitive, from media loading to defining scanner settings. Users spend less time trouble shooting and defining settings with the green button approach of the Océ TDS750. Capture color markups or as-builts and streamline project collaboration with the advanced scan technology. The result is faster turnaround times, less wasted materials and a more productive staff.

This exceptional new large format printer maintains the solid radiant fusing technology with instant-on behavior and low noise, heat and ozone emission as well as low energy consumption. Businesses have grown to love the sustainability aspects of this unique technology and the flexibility of placing it in departmental print settings without distracting employees.

Dependable output quality and performance

The Océ TDS750 600x1,200 dpi pico printing provides exceptional output quality – sharp fine details and smooth gray scales in rendering, 3D images and intricate graphics. Users have the peace of mind that document details are captured exactly as intended with no missing information.

Based on the Océ TDS700 with thousands of satisfied customers worldwide, Océ TDS750 users can count on dependable, high performance large format printing, for years to come. With restricted controller access, safe data storage and system safeguards, the Océ TDS750 also provides a secure, productive print environment.

"For years, customers have been appreciating the quality, reliability, and support provided by Océ large format printers," said Erik van Eldik, Vice President Business Group Technical Document Systems at Océ. "We know our customers' workflows and are pleased to be able to evolve our core black & white technology to address the ever-changing needs of the technical document market place. The Océ TDS750 is an excellent large format system building upon the features that customers valued in the Océ TDS700 to further improve large format workflows while maintaining the flexibility to grow with their changing needs."
Availability and more information

The Océ TDS750 will be available in early 2011.