NEW PRODUCTS

Drytac, the international manufacturer of selfadhesive materials for the large format print and signage markets, has announced the global availability of its improved ViziPrint Impress Clear UVL film.

ViziPrint Impress Clear UVL is an optically clear gloss PET printable film designed for trouble free installation of graphics onto glass and other smooth flat surfaces. It incorporates Drytac’s low tack hybrid adhesive technology, creating a strong bond in both high and low temperatures without leaving residue behind when removed.

Drytac has now incorporated a new thinner face film, which makes the media easier to work with. Compatible with UV and Latex printing, ViziPrint Impress Clear UVL uses a mechanical bond to gently adhere images to surfaces and can be repositioned and reapplied multiple times. Drytac’s unique adhesive technology eliminates bubbling and ensures the product is unaffected by moisture.

PVC-free, 100% recyclable and resistant to both wear and tear and water, ViziPrint Impress Clear UVL can be used to create vibrant and stunning prints for both indoor and outdoor use, including graphics for window advertisements and screen displays, as well as eye catching stickers on white goods.

“We are delighted to be offering ViziPrint Impress Clear UVL to our customers around the world,” says Amanda Lowe, Global Marketing Director at Drytac. “This is one of our most flexible film products as it allows users to take on all sorts of work.

“Add in the fact that the film can be easily removed without leaving any residue, and ViziPrint Impress Clear UVL is the ideal solution for use in all manner of creative applications.” www.drytac.com

KM AND MGI LAUNCH NEW ALPHAJET 4.0

MGI Digital Technology has launched the AlphaJET, the world’s first Single-Pass B1+ Digital Inkjet Press from printing to finishing, featuring a unique combination of water based CYMK Inks with in-line Digital Embellishment and Eco-Spot UV Coating and Green-Foil Technologies.

Together with Konica Minolta, the first AlphaJET Democenter has been established for customers in a dedicated Centre of Competence at Konica Minolta’s premises in Paris.

A first customer for AlphaJET has also already been announced. ISRA, an industrial cooperative that operates in the packaging sector and prints cards with or without chips aimed at the retail, transport and authentication and access control markets, has chosen the advanced MGI AlphaJET system to optimise its entire production flow and benefit from the advantages of Industry 4.0.

By purchasing MGI AlphaJET, ISRA confirms the five year innovation plan that is part of the “France Relance” initiative, a massive €100 billion investment plan to support businesses, rethink production models, transform infrastructure and invest in training. ISRA has always been focused on innovation: the company has recently developed the very first “zero plastic” ISBIO paper, which has now become popular among big brands and luxury customers thanks to its eco-friendly appearance and its fully recyclable material.

The Factory 4.0 single pass concept, with complete automation of manufacturing processes for customised and flexible mass production and unique value added opportunities, are at the heart of the partners’ digital water based four colour inkjet press. It produces up to 1,800 B1 sheets per hour, with the highest Inkjet print resolution of 1,600 dpi.

The substrates compatibility ranges from a minimum 135 gsm thickness up to 2mm. They include coated and uncoated papers, folding carton, e-flue cardboard and synthetics from B2 to B1+ size.

The eco-friendly single pass production includes CMYK water based pigment inks, eco-spot UV coating and green-foil (flat, raised and embossed) stamping, OPV lamination effects.

The factory 4.0 AlphaJET digital inkjet press is certified de-inkable by INGEDE for: CMYK water based inks, Eco-UV-Coating and green-foil, on certain substrates, as well as FOGRA certified.

ALPHAJET FEATURES

A break through patented flat paper transport with: Electromagnetic substrate transport with Smart Trays systems for perfect registration and movements, resulting in high resolution printing and jam free operations. CMYK and spot UV coating registration using intelligent scanners and colour calibration with complete automation. IOT system and MGI connect cloud based platforms. Competitive total cost of ownership – no tooling, no waste, no preparation. Software enhancements include interactive digital proofing validation with a digital value added sales assistant, pre-press automated workflow, and state of the art cloud solutions using MGI Connect.

Edmond Abergel, Chief Executive Officer of the MGI Group, said: “The MGI AlphaJET offers unlimited opportunities. The single pass factory 4.0 from printing to finishing using water based and UV inks is a breakthrough innovation for printing and packaging industries. One equipment operator, one press and one single factory.

Olaf Lorenz, Senior General Manager, Digital Transformation Division at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said: “The global launch of the MGI AlphaJET is a significant step forward as we continue to accelerate our digital transformation journey – both internally as well as externally. www.konicaminolta.co.uk

Epson has strengthened its position in the dye sublimation printer market with the launch of two new 44-inch, dye-sublimation products. Designed for low to medium volume printing, the SureColor SC-F6400 four colour, and SureColor SCF6400H six colour are ideal for applications such as textile production, personalised products, and high end photo reproduction. The printers offer a range of significant improvements, including increased productivity and reduced wastage.

Based on Epson’s revolutionary Micro TFP PrecisionCore technology, which is designed to deliver exceptional image quality, both printers offer different advantages, depending on the needs of the user. The SC-F6400, increases productivity by 20% compared to its predecessor the SC-F6300. The SC-F6400H provides an extended colour gamut by offering the use of CMYK, plus a choice of either fluorescent pink and fluorescent yellow, light cyan and light magenta or orange and violet. This means that, as Epson’s first six colour 44-inch dye-sublimation printer, the SC-F6400H opens the door to an expanded range of potential applications for both textile and rigid substrates. Users in the production of fashion, homewear, sportswear, soft signage and promotional items will find this enhancement of particular interest.

The SC-F6400 and SC-F6400H offer several other advantages to business users including new, higher capacity ink packs that contain 45% more ink (1.6L), reducing replacement frequency and waste. The ink packs only need to be shaken and inserted, no more pouring and stirring, which can create mess. The printers also feature a new 4.3-inch touch screen which is 30% larger than the previous model. Simplified maintenance routines minimise downtime and software bundles are included to help businesses run more efficiently and better analyse costing and profitability. Both products offer users a complete solution including hardware, software, printhead, ink, sublimation papers, warranty, plus the SC-F6400H includes a bundled take up reel. www.epson.co.uk • Environmental Vision 2050: http://eco.epson.com/

NEW PLOCKMATIC STACKER XL FOR XEROX® PRODUCTION

Plockmatic Group, based in Stockholm, Sweden, has announced the release of the MPS XL Multi-Purpose Stacker — a flexible, cost effective stacking solution designed to attach to a selection of Xerox production printing systems.

The Plockmatic MPS XL Multi-Purpose Stacker provides a simple docking/ undocking system to enable the easy transportation of printed work, while the motorised Stacking Table makes it easy to lift and manage heavy paper stacks. MPS XL attaches to the Xerox Production Ready Finisher Plus and is currently available for the new Iridesse; the new Versant 4100; and the new Versant 280.

The MPS XL provides the link between the printer and the finishing device that will help to create the complete application, helping digital print providers turn over sized sheets into profitable, professionally produced printed work. Sheets fed into the MPS XL can easily be moved to another finishing device, for example the Morgana AutoCut Pro from Plockmatic.

Cost Effective Stacking for Long Sheet Applications

Conventional stackers can only handle a small number of long sheets. The MPS XL supports true production quantities. It also allows for thicker paper stock up to 400 gsm. Key benefits include: • Facilitating paper stacking and handling during the finishing process • Makes it easy for operators to handle longer sheets • Enable easy transportation of paper stacks to the next step in the finishing process. Commenting on behalf of Plockmatic, Jakob Ekeberg, Vice President of product, said: “The market is evolving towards new digital applications that require longer sheets, so print room operators need a solution that will allow them to stack, handle, and transport them. The MPS XL makes printing and transporting long sheets as easy as standard size sheets. The product offers a unique combination of features — stacking, lifting, and transporting — in a single product that cannot be found elsewhere.”

MAIN COMPONENTS OF THE MPS XL

The Control Panel allows the user to control the MPS XL and the printer from one simple interface. The MPS XL can communicate jams and soft stops to the upstream Xerox printer, allowing the operator to pause and resume the printer directly from the MPS XL.

The Infeed Unit contains an active infeed roller, active side joggers, and a fan to help cool and stack paper. The infeeder roller receives paper from the upstream printing device and pushes the paper into the stacker while the active joggers toggle every few sheets to improve stack quality. Fan speed is automatic, based on information received from the printer, however, it can also be controlled from the control panel by the operator.

The Stacking Table accepts papers as small as 210 x 210mm / 8.27 x 8.27’’all the way up to paper that is 330mm/13” wide and 1200mm/47.2” long. The table automatically steps down in small increments as sheets are stacked. The table has two sections, where one section slides in and out of the other section. In its compact form the table is 715mm/28.1” long. www.plockmaticgroup.com

At Corrugated Week 2022, HP unveiled the HP PageWide T700i Press — a new 67 in. (1.7 m), digital web fed platform that helps converters achieve greater operational efficiency for high volume production of digital single face lamination, corrugation, and folding carton applications.

HP is continuing its investment in the packaging market to create new opportunities for packaging converters and brands to benefit from the analogue to digital transformation.

The HP PageWide T700i Press, which is expected to be available for installation in late 2023, will be configurable to meet specific customer and market needs and includes a variety of in-line options for manual or continuous unwinding, priming, varnishing, and delivery in both roll and sheet format. Select configurations will be capable of up to 1,000 feet per minute (300 m/ min) supported by HP’s single pass Thermal Inkjet technology with true water based inks for printing packaging which can be recycled, further supporting the converter’s circular economy goals.

The new press platform supports increased plant capacity and reduced manufacturing costs for paper based packaging production and will enable packaging converters to print with significantly accelerated turnaround times and lower minimum order quantity requirements that optimise inventories, while focusing analogue print capacity on longer runs. For converters facing increasing supply chain pressure, this press represents a substantial opportunity for business growth by enabling improved economics, greater production versatility, and more sustainable packaging solutions. ”We listened to the needs of our customers and the market when designing the T700i Press. Now more than ever, converters need greater flexibility to respond to dynamic market trends and challenges, and digital packaging continues to fundamentally transform the packaging supply chain for high volume and mainstream production,” said Annette Friskopp, Global Head and General Manager, HP PageWide Industrial. “The HP T700i Press enables customers to achieve production cost savings and shorter lead times and enables them to go after higher value print jobs”.

The new press will feature the next generation HP Thermal Inkjet printheads capable of robust industrial production. The proven inkjet technology builds on HP’s previous generations of thermal inkjet to enable customers to achieve consistent and repeatable six colour offset print quality at high speeds for high graphics packaging. T700i Press customers will benefit from HP’s manufacturing scalability and vertical integration across HP’s Industrial Print businesses, creating a distinct advantage for their business.

The HP PageWide T700i Press will be the second press format built in collaboration with Koenig & Bauer, after first unveiling the 110-inch HP PageWide T1100S Press in 2015, later followed by upgrades including the HP PageWide T1170, T1190, and the latest T1195i Press. “Koenig & Bauer is one of the world’s leading traditional press manufacturers, with over 200 years of experience in press engineering and developing innovative solutions that meet customers’ quality expectations,” said Christoph Müller, Koenig & Bauer executive board member. “Together with HP’s leadership and innovation in the field of thermal inkjet technology, the HP PageWide T700i Press was developed to once again combine our complementary technological strengths to provide packaging converters with unprecedented flexibility and quality consistency.” www.hp.com

NEW THREE LITRE INK SYSTEM FOR MIMAKI JFX600-2513

Mimaki has announced a new three litre External Ink Supply Option for the Mimaki JFX600-2513 large format flatbed UV inkjet printer. This new ink system has been designed to enable JFX600-2513 customers to maximise production efficiency and improve automation for a more streamlined, productive print operation.

This optional unit will be commercially available globally in January 2023, with visitors to Viscom Italia 2022 in Milan, Italy (13-15 October) getting a preview of this new, production-enhancing system. Show attendees will be the first to see just how much this new three litre ink tank capacity reduces the frequency users are required to refill their JFX600-2513 ink supplies. The system even enables ink replenishment during the printing process, further reducing printer downtime and improving productivity.

The three litre ink system has been developed with one of Mimaki’s core objectives for the future of its technology portfolio at the forefront — to support the automation of its customers’ printing processes. An automatic white ink circulation system included in the three litre ink unit eliminates the need for manual shaking. Additionally, weight sensors enable operators to measure the remaining ink levels of the JFX600-2513 more accurately, preventing unnecessary ink waste.

JFX600-2513 printers are also compatible with the proprietary Mimaki MDL command, allowing customers to communicate with their print production systems or peripheral devices via IoT protocols. The MDL command enables automated operation of the respective printing processes, such as the transportation of print media (workpieces). In combination with the new three litre ink option, the MDL command will support extensive, continuous, automated printing sessions.

Designed for high volume print productions, the Mimaki JFX600-2513 large format flatbed UV inkjet printer is built for efficiency and productivity with its 16 print heads and maximum output size 2500mm x 1300mm x 60mm, designed for printing to standard 8’ x 4’ sheets. Capable of direct printing onto a wide variety of media, including resin, glass, and metal, and of course, large format signboards, the printer can accommodate substrates of up to 60mm in thickness. The JFX600-2513 also features 2.5D printing, enabling layers of UV ink to be printed to create a textured surface for use in higher value printing applications. www.hybridservices.co.uk

The NEW Morgana DigiFold Pro XL Fast. Accurate. Flexible. Productive.

CREASE FOLD PERFORATE

The NEW Morgana DigiFold Pro XL, with its cost efficient vacuum top feeder, is an easy to use automatic paper creasing and folding system that eliminates unsightly cracking on digital stock.

Built with our unique, open design, the suction feeder handles stock sizes from 210 – 1300mm in length, useful for applications, such as covers for landscape booklets, book covers for oversized perfect bound books, multi-panel brochures and many other applications made from these long sheets. An additional static crease option can be installed to enable the full range of crease and perforation options.

Running efficiently to fold up to 6,000 A4 sheets per hours and in crease only mode up to 7,500 sheets per hour, making this is our most productive creaser/ folder to date.