RICOH, a leading provider of workplace technology, has launched the high-end IM C8000 A3 colour multifunction printer (MFP) featuring a range of smart applications, enhancements and software which enable businesses to deliver a great customer experience while achieving workplace efficiency.
 
The RICOH IM C8000 MFP offers impressive speeds of up to 80 ppm (pages per minute) in colour or black and white, resulting in high quality colour prints and performance, helping users to increase productivity and efficiency.  Colour functionality can be made more impactful by being able to produce clear text and brilliant colour images of up to 2,400 x 4,800dpi resolution. 

The device also supports jobs being completed on time and within budget with a range of optional multiple finisher options with near production like finishing for folding, stapling, punching and sorting.  As well as meeting everyday imaging needs, the IM C8000 can produce high quality customer-facing collateral, such as brochures and mailing pieces.  Smaller sized documents can also be scanned easily with the new small sized paper scan units.

The intuitive, new generation, user-friendly 10.1-inch Smart Operation Panel allows users to navigate with simple touch and swipe gestures similar to a smartphone.  The device can also easily scan documents directly to email and folders to reduce paper consumption at a speed of 240ipm (images per minute) through the single pass document feeder (SPDF). Users can improve fast scanning accuracy by simply adding an extra double feed detection unit.

A variety of mobile connectivity options, including the RICOH Smart Device Connector App enables remote printing as well as scanning to the office network or cloud from any smart device with built-in support for NFC, Apple AirPrint or Mopria. All this is underpinned by a unique suite of support apps from RICOH Smart Integration.
 
In addition, users no longer need to purchase new equipment to meet changing document needs as their business grows. RICOH Always Current Technology allows new features to be installed on the existing RICOH IM C8000 on demand.  Users simply select from a range of smart applications, enhancements and software to manage document needs as they change.
 
Mobile workers can interact seamlessly with the intelligent technology. To make their lives easier, the IM C8000 wakes up on approach utilising its built-in motion sensor, and to save time, double sided originals are scanned in a single pass and can be uploaded directly to a variety of cloud-based services, including Dropbox, Google Drive and Office 365.

Security is also enhanced with an optional card reader which can be installed giving users the ability to restrict access to certain features, such as set print quotas.  Locked Print functionality keeps unattended documents from being left in output trays

Energy efficiency is also highly regarded with the IM C8000 featuring a Typical Electricity Consumption (TEC) value that is three time less than that of its predecessor model (MP C8003SP).

Peter Georghiou, Senior Product Marketing Manager of RICOH Australia, said, “We are excited to bring the IM C8000 to market here in Australia.  Customers will benefit from a winning combination of being able to produce high quality brochures and mailing pieces in-house while having the opportunity to digitise and upload critical direct to the cloud.  
 
“At the same time, the rich feature functionality in speed, simplicity, flexibility, scalability will help our customers deliver a great customer experience in the post-pandemic period by embracing the latest digital technology while supporting their own focus on business operation productivity.”

Compatible with leading high-end web inkjet presses, the Variable Coater elevates the quality of digital print to match offset, whilst providing access to a virtually unlimited range of paper and also reducing costs.

Contiweb, a specialist in state-of-the-art technologies for printing, advanced drying and web-handling, announces today the launch of its Variable Coater (VC), a digital priming and over-print varnish applicator developed to boost product quality and reduce costs for paper in digital printing applications.

Compatible with leading high-end web inkjet presses, the Variable Coater elevates the quality of digital print to match offset, whilst providing access to a virtually unlimited range of paper and also reducing costs.

“We developed the Variable Coater to provide customers with the ability to use standard offset paper for all print jobs, even those with high ink coverage, which is much more cost effective. Uptime is also essential to profitability, and changing between the different grades of priming, even per side, can be a costly disruption, something that is now preventable. The Variable Coater delivers significant cost savings in numerous ways,” explains Rutger Jansen, CEO at Contiweb.

“The system’s expanded range of paper as a result of the precise amount of priming per side, combined with the improved print quality of primed paper also mean printers can move more jobs from offset to digital. Jobs requiring high ink coverage will not need to be printed offset. They can take advantage of digital’s personalisation capabilities, potentially opening up new markets, and achieve higher utilisation of the digital press, leading to improved ROI and profits,” adds Jansen.

The Contiweb Variable Coater allows variable web coverage, so printers only need to use what is required, resulting in around 15% less priming or coating usage. Also, variable in web width from 10-26 inches, the VC can work inline or near-line with leading high-end web inkjet presses. The web width of the VC can be changed with a just a quick production stop and without any requirement to exchange parts. Adjustable on-the-go with a user-friendly HMI, the Variable Coater is easy to operate and allows ‘recipes’ to be stored and used again as needed. Furthermore, there are no additional costs for consumables such as sleeves or anilox rollers.

The Variable Coater solution was developed in conjunction with European printing group Paragon Customer Communications and Eastman Kodak Company. Paragon’s Director of Operations, Bernd Wein, says of the Variable Coater, “The flexibility was one of the main aspects of why we started this project with Contiweb. In order to achieve the best quality of printing, you must profile the paper. It absolutely makes sense to use different types of coating fluid depending on whether you’re using coated or uncoated stock, and the ability to specify only what coverage is necessary and record profiles, saves time and money.”

The potential of the Variable Coater is further illustrated by an endorsement from Kodak. Randy Vandagriff, Senior Vice President, Digital Print, Eastman Kodak Company, said “The market is growing for digitally produced high ink coverage print products on glossy and coated papers, such as direct mail and catalogues. Contiweb’s Variable Coater, inline or near line with a Kodak PROSPER press, is a great way for printers to lower their costs, increase their quality and improve their paper supply chain.”

The VC can work inline or near-line with all leading high-end web inkjet presses.

Domino has announced the launch of the N730i digital UV inkjet label press, which introduces the new Domino Generation 7 inkjet platform. 

Philip Easton, Director of the Domino Digital Printing Solutions Division, said that, “This is the most significant product we have launched since we started in the digital label press business. It has been a huge collaborative team effort spread over five years involving our colleagues at Brother Industries, supplier partners, our development team, and our customers. Today, we are so proud of what the N730i delivers, as we truly believe it sets new standards in high performance inkjet label printing.”

The N730i incorporates a host of brand-new features, including the enhanced Brother BITSTAR 1200 dpi piezo printhead, the SunLight graphical user interface, and the latest automated Domino i-Tech intelligent Technology features. These include i-Tech SetAlign and i-Tech CleanCap2.

Louise Adcock, Global Product Manager, Domino Digital Printing Solutions, said, “During the development of the N730i, we focused on three key areas: providing consistent print quality at high speed, ease of use, and flexibility.”

The N730i is designed to print all jobs, including those with a "silk-screen-like" white, at 230 fpm (70 m/m).

The Brother BITSTAR 1200 dpi printhead uses a combination of small drop sizes of 2.1 picolitre (pl) and nominal drop sizes of 2.8 pl and 3.3 pl to provide consistent ink density across the image, producing excellent printing, including fine fonts, micro-text, sharper edges, and smoother gradients. Patented triple-layer polycrystalline micro piezo technology minimises cross talk and delivers precise nozzle control for optimum drop placement accuracy.

Domino’s intelligent Technology (i-Tech) features represent developments designed to measurably improve efficiency, use, function, and reliability. i-Tech SetAlign is a new automated system that sets density and accurately aligns the printheads. The result is uniform and seamless print quality across the full web width. Domino has also enhanced performance with i-Tech CleanCap2, an automated printhead cleaning and capping system, which is a controlled process reducing manual operator intervention and waste. Other i-Tech features include the established i-Tech ActiFlow, UltraMix, and WebRev.

Adcock continues, “In basic terms, our customers win business against their competitors on the labels they can produce, they make a profit from delivering them efficiently. The N730i’s consistent high print quality will mean they will win more business while high speed combined with reliability means they can also print it efficiently.”

The existing user interface has been completely rewritten for the N730i with the development of the new Domino SunLight. This flexible graphical user interface with its modern look and feel is completely intuitive and highly configurable. A new enhanced version of the industry standard Esko Digital Front End has been adopted, including improved variable data printing performance, and producing process colours including orange and violet, for lower ink usage and an increased colour gamut. Support for the industry standard JDF/JMF data transfer format allows for automated job setup and reporting. This also means upward integration with the leading management information systems can be readily achieved.

Offering label manufacturers excellent flexibility, the N730i is available with optional flexo stations for priming to facilitate consistent quality even on the most challenging media types, and for spot colours or varnishing, increasing the range of jobs that can be achieved, or for reverse white for cost-effective shrink sleeve applications. These flexo stations can be retrofitted, providing customers with greater flexibility as their business needs change.

The N730i includes Domino’s own in-house developed UV90 ink set with excellent fade resistance, achieving a maximum Blue Wool Scale of eight on certain substrates. It has enhanced mechanical properties, including abrasion and scratch resistance. It is 7-colour CMYKOV + W and achieves 92% of the Pantone range. The UV90 white ink is commonly used by customers as a silk-screen replacement achieving an opacity of up to 76%. The Textures by Domino printing capability enables tactile three-dimensional label design effects to be created for greater shelf appeal.

Scodix, leading provider of pioneering digital enhancement solutions for the graphic arts industry, today announces the commercial launch of the next generation of its Ultra Digital Enhancement Press Series, consisting of six presses, each targeted to a specific market segment.

Having demonstrated its expertise in equipment for the commercial, packaging and W2P markets, Scodix has developed the Ultra Press Series to fully address the needs of each sector. Scodix CEO, Eli Grinberg, elaborates:

“As the world’s most innovative and experienced company in digital print enhancement, with over 400 presses installed around the world, we’re now launching one expanded product line that’s been designed to meet the needs of all of our customers across all of these industry sectors. Whatever the application, enhancement, or budget requirement, we have a solution within this series. Print service providers can choose the press that will best support the future growth of their business.”

Web-2-Print

Aimed at the W2P market, the Scodix Ultra 3000 and Ultra 4000 presses both incorporate Scodix Studio W2P software. Developed with the success of companies such as Shutterfly and District Photo in mind, the Ultra 3000 focusses on Web2Print, whilst the Ultra 4000, allowing larger format substrates and pallet feeders and stackers, is aimed at Web2Pack printers.

Commercial & Speciality

Offering the same print areas and range of substrates, the Scodix Ultra 1000 and 2000 presses are distinguished by the number of applications available – and consequently are offered to the market at different price points. The Ultra 1000 delivers accessible digital enhancement whilst the Ultra 2000 offers all Scodix applications on one platform, including automatic polymer switching for superior productivity.

Packaging

The Scodix Ultra 5000 and 6000 both allow the thicker substrates required for packaging applications – up to 2mm – and incorporate industrial pallet feeders and stackers. Whilst the Ultra 6000 offers a larger format, it comes with a simplified range of enhancements.

The six new presses in the series succeed the Ultra 101 and 202, whilst the Scodix E106 press is still available for B1 folding carton applications.

Grinberg adds, “By incorporating digital enhancement, print providers can expand their service offerings with attention-grabbing applications, improving customer retention rates in these notoriously fickle times, whilst boosting margins and ultimately profitability. Whether the products are purchased traditional or through Web2Pack or Print channels, Scodix enhances products from premium business and greeting cards, folders, head-turning book covers, audience-engaging brochures to stand-out labels and packaging, folding cartons, rigid boxes, point-of-display and security markings always with a focus on fine detail and high quality results.

“By launching this segmented product portfolio, we are increasing the number of customers that can employ Scodix, and we are offering Scodix value to more brands, print buyers and consumers of print. This is truly the next era for the Scodix business.”


Scodix Ultra 2000, aimed at the Commercial & Specialty


For more information, visit www.scodix.com or email info@scodix.com.

A B Graphic International (ABG) has expanded the range of modules for its Digicon Series 3 with the latest digital technology DigiJet (JetFX) allowing for multiple embellishment processes in one pass.

DigiJet offers an on-line or off-line fully digital embellishment. It allows for multiple processes in one pass including spot varnishing, digital foiling and tactile screen on any size of print run. Its main features include two inkjet heads with UV pinning and UV curing, automated cold foil throw-off, a shuttle system for zero waste and stop start at job changeover, chill rollers for sensitive materials, pre-press software and food compliant fluids.

It is currently available in single bar or dual bar configurations, with the easily adjustable quantity of varnish to a height of up to 225 microns. Jobs can be automatically changed on the fly and the new module can be integrated with workflow and MIS. 

The DigiJet module has been already installed in a number of Digicon Series 3 machines, including UK-based converters Springfield Solutions and Baker Labels. It can be also retrofitted to existing machines.

‘DigiJet is a revolutionary module for the digital market,’ commented Matt Burton, ABG’s global sales director. ‘With technology improving all the time, digital embellishment is where the future is - perfect for short runs, no tooling costs, the ability to change jobs quickly, variable data, personalisation and dramatically reduced lead times. DigiJet will undoubtedly be a game-changer for many of our customers.’

ABG has also released an explainer video to accompany the launch of the DigiJet embellishment module offering more technical insight into this new technology.

For enquiries, contact Currie Group. 

Join A B Graphic International for a webinar introduction to the newly launched DigiJet Digital Embellishment module for the Digicon Series 3.
Register below to understand more about Digital Embellishment from ABG and how DigiJet can enhance your labels.
6th October at 8pm AEST: https://lnkd.in/gntJ2FD

DuPont Image Solutions announced the new series for its Pigment Inks portfolio, DuPont Artistri Xite P2700.

Artistri P2700 is an innovative digital textile premium pigment ink formulated for mid- viscosity printheads, offering best-in-class colour with deep, rich black and outstanding colour saturation. Due to the ink formulation, it delivers the quality needed for textile printers in home, furnishings and apparel applications.

DuPont and Creazioni Digitali, based in the Province of Como, Italy, collaborated to test and optimise the printing process and quality of the printed fabric.

“We are delighted to deliver brilliant colours with great wet and dry crock without compromising hand feel and the sustainability advantage of water-based pigment ink jet inks,” said Eric Beyeler, global ink jet marketing manager, DuPont Image Solutions.

“Quality and durability of the printed fabric is what our customers trust us to deliver,” said Roberto Lucini, CEO Creazioni Digitali, “With DuPont Artistri Xite P2700 inks, we can meet the crock fastness requirements our customers expect, print vibrant colours with reliable jetting performance and all this with the low environmental footprint of digital pigment inks.”

Key features that benefit roll-to-roll printers:

• Jetting reliability

• 2A Wash fastness 4-5; Dry crock ≥ 4; Wet crock ≥ 3.5

• High colour saturation

• Better lightfastness for Y

• Colours: CMYK ORBGV (light cmk)

“We are very pleased to see how DuPont Artistri Xite P2700 pigment ink is helping Creazioni Digitali and their customers succeed in a very competitive Textile marketplace. Creazioni Digitali has always set the standard for printed fabrics and it is a great compliment to have P2700 be selected for their digital textile fabric offering. We look forward to continuously support Creazioni Digitali and their customer’s business success,” said Jan Scharfenberg, EMEA business director, DuPont Image Solutions.

www.dupont.com

Konica Minolta Australia has expanded its bizhub i-Series range with the launch of two new colour A3 multifunction printers (MFPs). The new bizhub C450i and bizhub C650i are next-generation multifunctional devices designed to empower digital workflows. 

Shane Blandford, chief marketing and innovation officer, Konica Minolta, said, “Like every model in the bizhub i-Series product line, the new devices reflect a new paradigm for how multifunctional devices meet the needs of businesses by serving as a secure, smart technology hub to augment office connectivity. As SMBs continue their path to recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be critical that they choose smart technology that elevates their digital status. 

“The new MFPs offer fast, reliable solutions for document handling and serve as an intelligent device that effectively becomes the heart of the customer’s digital office. They can also be tailored to meet the requirements of each business with the wide breadth of applications that are available from Konica Minolta’s Marketplace, which is pre-installed on every device. Furthermore, by placing the customer’s need for high operational efficiency at the heart of each MFP solution, Konica Minolta delivers best-in-class service and troubleshooting through its Remote Service Platform.” 

The new models feature the bizhub i-Series’ fresh, contemporary exterior design and the highly intuitive smartphone-style user interface with a tiltable, floating 10-inch panel that is used throughout the bizhub i-Series range. It features a new card-type quick copy screen and various apps with integrated guidance for a better user experience. In addition, newly developed widget technology allows embedding and operating functionality directly from the MFP’s home screen, shortening the time spent in front of the MFP. This ensures an entirely natural and familiar user experience that is common across all bizhub i-Series devices. 

High performance operation and quick response is assured by the same powerful quad-core central processing unit and standard 8 GB of memory with a 256 GB SSD, (upgradeable to optional 1 TB SSD). The three new A3 colour MFPs offer a choice of 45ppm, 55ppm or 65ppm print speeds. 

As standard, the three new MFPs feature a dual-scan document feeder that can accommodate up to 300 sheets, with a faster 280 ipm scan speed and double-feed detection sensors. Newly designed finishers with an integrated manual staple feature are also available as an option. The new higher-speed bizhub i-Series models also have an automatic intelligent media sensor that can detect paper weight and media type. This helps to reduce user error and unnecessary support requests due to unmatched settings for the paper type being used leading to fewer paper jams, boosting productivity. 

bizhub i-Series MFPs have been designed to work with powerful workflow tools such as Konica Minolta’s Dispatcher Phoenix. Dispatcher Phoenix offers advanced document workflow and is an ideal solution for enhancing document security via digital workflows. 

Xeikon America, Inc. launched its Xeikon SX30000 digital press, available immediately in the US and Canadian markets. 
 
The new electrophotographic toner-based press is based on SIRIUS technology.
 
As part of the company’s Xeikon Café TV series, the public launch event was led by Xeikon America’s Director of Marketing Donna Covannon and viewed in web broadcast format by print providers, partners, analysts and journalists. 
 
Viewers of the broadcast also saw a demonstration of the new press. 
 
“North American print providers have been enthusiastic,” said Covannon, “and we are thrilled to begin taking orders for the press today. We anticipate very strong sales for the Xeikon SX30000 this year and many years to come.” 

Rotoflex, the finishing company under the Mark Andy Inc. corporate umbrella, has announced the launch of two digital finishers, DF1 and VTI Series. While both machines offer high-speed operation at low costs, they were developed to serve different converter needs.

The DF1 is a semi-rotary offline finishing and converting machine designed to meet the rising demand for unique short run labels in a simple, fast, precise, and affordable way, allowing converters to accelerate production and profits. 

Built on a platform with finishing speed up to 750 fpm (228.6 mpm) for full-rotary and 250 fpm (76.2 mpm) for semi-rotary, with accurate semi-rotary die-cutting functionality, the Rotoflex DF1 is an ideal addition for upwards of 80% of label converters worldwide. The quick set-up and dynamic operation allow converters to decorate, die-cut, slit, and strip labels in a single step, getting final product out the door faster and more efficiently than using multiple means of finishing. 

“The thought process behind the DF1 came from customer needs to quickly enhance labels and ensure high-quality, inspected output in the process," says Manohar Dhugga, VP of operations, Rotoflex. 

Relative to the established Rotoflex DF3 model launched at Labelexpo Americas 2018, the DF1 operates similarly, offering high production level speed and 50% faster changeovers than conventional converting systems. The primary differentiators between the DF3 and DF1 platforms are in terms of configurability and price point. The DF3 supports rail mounted converting options and additional print stations, while the DF1 has a single hybrid station that brings finishing and converting to a level of financial accessibility that is unprecedented in the market space.

The VTI Series is an advanced tabletop finishing machine created to ensure conformity with stringent regulations of the pharmaceutical and high-security packaging industries. 

With an operator control system for inspection and finishing, the VTI Series detects and corrects missing labels, remaining matrix, splices, flags, spots, fading and missing colour, and defects in text and registrations. This allow converters to effortlessly inspect, rework, and re-inspect labels, which is especially necessary if the application involves 100% accuracy, variable data, or braille inspection. 

“The exclusive URC 2.0 control system offers multilane counting and is the most advanced defect management system available in the market. , The URC 2.0 increases operator efficiency by reducing set-up time and waste  through its automated functionality The optional biometric login security feature and online dashboard for data analysis provides for a complete finishing solution,” emphasises Dhugga. “Another important feature of the VTI series is the eDrive 2.0, a system that increases production effectiveness through optimisation of acceleration and deceleration while preserving roll quality and characteristics,” he adds, noting that the maximum speed – which varies according to the application – is 750 fpm (228 mpm). 

“Customer demand has led us to create a more efficient and compact tabletop rewinder to replace the older, outdated models while delivering the high standard of performance known by the Rotoflex brand. The VTI can be integrated with 100% vision inspection systems and with reverse fault placement functionality allows for pharmaceutical grade inspection,” explains Dhugga. 

The price, starting at $25,000 for the base configuration, enables converters to immediately incorporate the new unit in their pressroom, and even provides an opportunity to develop new revenue streams by venturing into highly segmented markets.

In addition to all features, Rotoflex designed the VTI Series with a user-friendly interface and ergonomic design for sit down operation, making it comfortable for converters to smoothly manage operation.

Rotoflex DF1 and VTI machines are available for immediate order, with the first DF1 machine shipping to a US customer this month. 

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that its technology for waterless electron beam (EB) offset printing has been applied successfully for the first time on flexible packaging. The technology is free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Spain’s SP Group, a European manufacturer of flexible retail food packaging, completed a series of tests to print retort pouches with this technology.

The tests demonstrated the key benefits of this innovative printing technology. These include maximum sustainability and resource conservation and optimal compliance with health and anti-pollution standards. Another advantage is exceptional print quality, with sharper, higher resolution images that comply with food contact materials regulations. The printing industry should accordingly enjoy significant savings and efficiency gains over the medium term.

Retort packaging samples

The testing success represents a milestone in Toray’s R&D into waterless printing technology, which started in the early 1970s. Such technology has helped reduce VOC emissions for more than 40 years. Toray began developing printing technology that is completely free of these chemicals in 2015.

The application that the SP Group created for its test on the COMEXI CI8 offset press employed water-washable EB ink from Toray. Francisco Bernal, CEO of SP Group, emphasises that, “Using such innovative technologies as waterless EB offset, VOC-free printing has matched our core corporate principles of sustainability while maximising quality. Testing with Toray technology embodied SP Group’s pioneering spirit and ongoing commitment to optimisation.”

Toray’s technology offers several advantages. Waterless offset printing does not require dampening water, so VOC emissions are 60% to 80% lower than with wet processes. The special ink and EB curing-based process eliminate the need for solvents. Liquids that clean printing units are free of organic solvents, for zero VOC consumption in cleaning processes. Finally, Toray could achieve 100% VOC-free in all printing processes.

A new generation of the Rapida 76 from Koenig & Bauer has just been released onto the market. 

The B2 press (standard sheet format 530 x 750 mm; special format 605 x 750 mm) boasts peak printing speeds of up to 18,000 sheets per hour and a fully revamped and particularly aesthetic appearance.

To cater for as many different applications as possible, up to 11 printing and finishing units can be combined to configure a Rapida 76 which is tailored precisely to individual production needs. 

That could mean a 10-color press with an automatically convertible perfecting unit for 5-over-5 production – possibly together with an additional coating tower to allow the printing of covers, for example – or packaging presses with double-coating facilities for the production of pharmaceutical packaging and the like. 

Further variants incorporate raised foundations to accommodate higher piles with board substrates, or various delivery extensions for coating applications. 

Ink duct dividers can also be chosen to enable rainbow printing. 

Thanks to a comprehensive range of measuring systems and optional facilities for inline sheet inspection, the Rapida 76 is ideally prepared for a diversity of special applications, including even the production of security documents.

The half-format press handles both conventional and UV inks and coatings with equal ease. Beside IR/hot-air drying systems, various UV, HR-UV and LED-UV systems are also available.

Finishfit Microbe Protect 2400, developed by Epple Druckfarben AG in Germany, was tested on a wide range of Jet Press printed products at Fujifilm’s Advanced Print Technology Centre in Brussels.

Finishfit Microbe Protect 2400, developed by Epple Druckfarben AG in Germany, was tested on a wide range of Jet Press printed products at Fujifilm’s Advanced Print Technology Centre in Brussels.

Inks and coatings developer Epple Druckfarben AG has produced a coating to dramatically reduce the chances of bacteria or viruses being passed from person to person via printed media. Now commercially available, the new water-based varnish, Finishfit Microbe Protect 2400, has undergone a rigorous testing process, including tests on Jet Press printed products at Fujifilm’s Advanced Print Technology Centre in Brussels. The coating has been proven to be effective in killing up to 99.9% of bacteria. This makes it ideal for use on everyday printed products that are handled by multiple people, such as playing cards, magazines, food menus and packaging of all kinds – including pharmaceutical-based packaging and selected plastic films.

Finishfit Microbe Protect 2400 contains elementary silver-nanoparticles (Ag0) firmly anchored in the varnish film. When activated by moisture – such as when they are touched – the silver-nanoparticles release positively charged silver ions (Ag+), which significantly reduce the number of bacteria and viruses on the surface of the varnish. The effect is constant and long-lasting because the silver-nanoparticles themselves are not released and can’t be rubbed off from the dried varnish, and because the coating is water-based, it is also very environmentally friendly.

“Epple is well known for its innovations in the field of ink systems, and Finishfit Microbe Protect 2400 is another unique addition to our product portfolio,” says Helmut Fröhlich, Product Line Manager at Epple. “This coating is suitable for a range of substrates, and we are continuously testing it with other ink types and printing processes.”

Fröhlich was clear on their decision to approach Fujifilm for the initial testing of the coating: “Being one of the leading companies in inkjet printing, Fujifilm was the logical choice for testing Finishfit Microbe Protect 2400. They suggested the testing should be undertaken on the Jet Press and it quickly became clear as to why.

“Unlike some other digital printing processes, the Vividia inks used by the Jet Press produce a smooth, neutral surface that is ideal for both aqueous and UV based coatings. We were impressed to see that the high quality print work produced by the Jet Press is further enhanced by the crucial, invisible protection that Finishfit provides.”

At Fujifilm’s APTC, numerous tests were carried out – both on freshly printed samples, and with prints that were several days old. It proved equally effective on both. Taro Aoki, Head of Digital Solutions, Fujifilm Graphic Systems EMEA says: “The Jet Press has always been about maximising flexibility and adaptability for its users. Over the years we’ve continually pushed the boundaries, offering an expanded colour gamut, food safe inks and the ability to print to a huge range of standard offset stocks. So it’s fitting that Jet Press printed products were the first to be tested with this ground-breaking new coating that offers print businesses enormous reassurance as we all continue to manage the risk of living with Covid-19 in society.”

The end result of 18 months of development, and the first product in a planned Microbe Protect 2400 series, Finishfit was created in conjunction with the renowned nanoscale research company RAS AG, Regensburg as well as with state funding from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy as part of the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs. When they began work a year-and-a-half ago, none of its creators could have known just how much the perceived importance of the product would grow. “During the development phase, the acute significance of the product in the degree of urgency could not be foreseen,” says Stefan Schülling, Member of the Epple Executive Board responsible for Sales and Finance. “Now we are extremely pleased at the timely offering – further evidence of our innovative leadership.”

“Every sector must throw its full innovative power behind curbing the present and future pandemics”, adds Helmut Fröhlich. “Finishfit Microbe Protect represents an important first step.”

Canon Production Printing Australia has announced the launch of the new ProStream 1800 continuous feed inkjet printer, the newest model in its ProStream 1000 series. With increased speeds of up to 133m/min, the new printer boasts the highest resolution and print quality of any digital printing press at that speed, making it the ideal solution for commercial printers who want to achieve ultimate performance. 

Supporting customers’ passion for print, the new ProStream 1800 has been designed to push the boundaries of commercial print to meet changing customer demands. Combining new inkjet innovations with proven offset printing techniques, the press strikes a unique balance between high productivity, superior print quality, flexibility and media versatility. Commercial printers can now expand their offering by migrating higher volume jobs from offset to digital inkjet. Boost production levels, slash turnaround times and increase profit margins across a wide range of applications, including premium and high volume direct mail, books, catalogues and magazines.

With the higher web speed of 133m/min (66% faster than the ProStream 1000), the ProStream 1800 produces up to 107,500 A4 images or 11,300 B2 sheets 4/4 per hour while maintaining superior print quality, and increased speeds equate to higher throughput, have the confidence to handle higher volumes of work for jobs today or in the future.

The ProStream 1800 can achieve a very high level of print quality across a huge range of media, including standard offset coated, uncoated and inkjet optimised papers from 40gsm to 300gsm. Print calendars, posters and point of sale applications with the ability to print up to 556mm wide and 1,524mm long. Eliminate the need to stop production to switch between different format lengths to ensure a seamless changeover – providing additional flexibility and ease-of-use for operators.

The press’s air floatation drying system dries all jobs evenly, so you can effectively print on a wide range of paper without compromising the high standards of the finished output. By not coming into contact with the paper, the system protects the print image to ensure an optimal result and to preserve the gloss and paper surface. Artificial intelligence linked to a sensor continuously makes adjustments to the drying system during the print run to ensure the best quality. Whether you’re printing a fashion look book or a high value mailer, you can be sure that it will impress. The added bonus? It also maintains the optimal web temperature, reducing energy consumption. 

The ProStream 1800 uses native 1,200dpi piezo drop-on-demand print heads and proprietary polymer pigment inks with Canon ColorGrip to ensure colour consistency. Canon’s Inline Quality Control, a high-performance camera system, also provides automatic print quality assurance, so operators can spend less time on quality control. 

The successful ProStream 1000 remains available and existing customers can easily upgrade to the ProStream 1800 if more volume is required, allowing them to easily adapt to changing market dynamics while maintaining high quality, speed and supporting a variety of media.

Craig Nethercott, Managing Director, Canon Production Printing Oceania, comments: “At Canon, we share our customers’ passion for print and understand that, as their businesses are having to adapt to changing market requirements, our technology needs to evolve too. With the launch of the new ProStream 1800, we can support customers who are looking to grow their production volumes without compromising quality or speed. The new press marks an extension of the successful ProStream technology that was launched in 2017. Building on our strong installed base, we are excited to be offering a new proposition for customers that want ultimate performance.”

The new ProStream can be seen at the European Customer Experience Centre via virtual demo. 

For more information on the ProStream 1800 and to request a virtual demo, please visit:  https://anz.cpp.canon/products/prostream1000

The printheads are now being installed as an upgrade for all HP C500 digital corrugated customers worldwide.

HP is rolling out a new printhead design for HP PageWide C500 Press customers, extending performance with ink savings per board to deliver improved economics as well as enhanced print quality. The printheads are now being installed as an upgrade for all HP C500 digital corrugated customers worldwide.

The new colour printheads enable higher performance thanks to an improved nozzle architecture delivering image quality for HP PageWide C500 converters. In addition, the new design delivers ink savings and extends the lifespan of consumables.

LIC Packaging of Italy, building a high-volume digital business with the HP PageWide C500, is operating the press with the new printheads.

“Thanks to the HP PageWide C500 technology, we can convert offset jobs while maintaining high quality, equivalent to what our customers are used to receive from our litho-lamination process. We can consistently keep required brand colours, printing direct to board,” said Piero Bertoldo, Director at LIC Packaging.

“The C500 print quality is always one of our differentiators from our competition. With the new print heads, print is noticeably sharper, and colours are even more vibrant,” said Richard Brown, president The BoxMaker. “Our digital corrugated business based on the C500 is growing in volume with the ability to cost-effectively deliver a large number of jobs daily to our customers.”

Since its launch in 2018, HP has developed the HP PageWide C500 press platform while supporting worldwide early customers launching digital production.

“As we strive for our customers’ success at digital production, we are constantly working to implement improvements to boost press performance,” said Niv Ishay, worldwide marketing manager, HP PageWide Industrial Corrugated. “We launched the C500 as a solution to fit mainstream production. Now the rollout of the new printheads will help bring improved economics to digitally printed corrugated packaging.”

Breakthrough water-based print technology

The HP PageWide C500 employs thermal inkjet technology, designed for high print quality in demanding production environments, printing at 246 linear ft/min (75m/min) in 1200 npi resolution using one million nozzles. The C500’s unique Corrugated Grip technology delivers precise handling of industry- grade boards for smooth production, while Virtual Belt technology delivers accurate media motion.

In addition, HP’s water-based inks are odourless and free of UV-reactive chemistries, enabling a wide range of packaging applications, including primary and secondary packaging for sensitive uses such as food and personal care while requiring no additional barriers. The inks can comply with even the most stringent global food safety regulations, including Nestlé guidance and Swiss Ordinance.

1. Development background

With the offset press market seeing rising global demand for presses offering greater productivity and cost performance, there is a trend toward enhancing production capacity by enabling offset presses to handle a wide range of paper sizes. In preparation for drupa 2020, the world's largest printing equipment exhibition, RMGT − now in its 7th year − has been combining the two founding companies' strengths of "energy-saving designs that incorporate new ideas" with "high-precision manufacturing technology and highly durable construction for long-term use."

The new RMGT 970 has many advanced features based on the 920/940 presses, known for their superior quality and productivity.

The new 970 model incorporates the latest technologies in addition to many features found on the flagship RMGT 10 series.

In the face of rising paper and printing supply costs, the RMGT 970 is perfectly positioned to meet the needs of the times by handling the most popular A1-plus paper sizes used around the world.

2. Key features

• Greater versatility

With a maximum paper size of 650 x 965 mm, the RMGT 970 can handle the 640 x 900, 650 x 920, and 650 x 950 paper sizes popular in Europe and Australia; the 635 x 965 mm (25 x 38 inches) paper size popular in North America; and the 636 x 939 mm paper size popular in Japan and Korea. The maximum printing area of 640 x 930 mm (630 x 930 mm for perfecting) provides ample margin space for printing the color bar and PQS-D register adjustment marks. In addition to 8-up printing on A4-size sheets, the new 970 model can also handle a wide range of multi-up printing on non-standard sizes.

• Exceptional cost performance increases profitability

Compared to B1-size (40-inch) format presses, the 970 model has significantly lower plate costs and markedly lower power consumption. The compact space-saving design results in a more comfortable work environment and enables efficient utilization of valuable printshop space. (Plate costs are reduced about 20%, power consumption by about 34%, and installation space by about 30%.*)
*Based on in-house research by RMGT

• Instant-drying perfecting at up to 15,000 S.P.H.

Equipped with a double, double- and single-diameter cylinder perfecting device, convertible perfectors enable perfecting at up to 15,000 S.P.H. for higher productivity. Plus, installing LED-UV curing units at the perfecting and delivery sections makes instant-drying perfecting possible, eliminating the need to wait before proceeding to post-press processes and satisfying the demand for shorter lead times.

• A varied lineup with heavy stock capability

The RMGT 970 model lineup includes straight printing presses and convertible perfectors ranging from 2 to 10 colors. Coating units can also be installed. Large-capacity feeder and delivery piles as well as the newly designed larger cylinder diameters enhance printing capability on heavy stock.

• Smart Assist Printing increases press operating rates for continuous printing of short-run work

With the newly developed Smart Assist Printing functions*, you just touch the operation panel and the whole printing process − from ink presets, blanket cleaning, and plate changing to test printing, register alignment, density adjustment, and production printing − is performed fully automatically. The result is a much higher press operating rate for continuous short-run printing requiring frequent job changeover.
* Currently under development.

• PQS-D (I+C+R) printing quality control system (option)

A CCD camera installed on the press captures images of the printed sheets during printing for inline inspection of printing quality, eliminating the need to take out printed sheets for off-line checking. In addition to reducing paper waste and enhancing quality assurance, the PQS-D also facilitates automation of printing tasks.

• Automatic plate changers equipped with a benderless plate clamp

Three systems are available for automatic plate changing: the SPC semiautomatic plate changer (standard equipment), the FPC fully automatic plate changer (optional), and the Smart-FPC fully automatic simultaneous plate changer (optional). All three plate-changing systems feature a benderless plate clamp that eliminates the need to bend the plates.

• User-friendly feeder and delivery section touchscreen panels

Various feeder section operations, settings and checks can be performed via a touchscreen panel, including starting a print run, the counter settings, feeder air pre-setting (optional), and the timing checker. Delivery section settings such as adjustment of the back guide and side guide as well as adjustment of the delivery fun volume are also performed using a touchscreen panel, greatly simplifying delivery section tasks. Both operation panels are equipped with error description displays and other monitoring functions to assist the press operator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUFBqGDLen8&feature=emb_title

Industry leading production print solution provider, Canon Production Printing Australia, has set a new benchmark in print industry support during the Coronavirus pandemic, with the introduction of an initiative designed to assist Australian printers adapting to new market trends by evolving their wide-format application set and productivity. 

The campaign titled “Kick Start”, bundles up to $40,000.00 of additional software and upgrades including Touchstone, which enables graphic producers to easily create printed effects that mimic textured and raised surfaces and lettering, as well as a complimentary two-ink-channel upgrade to increase flexibility of colour gamut, quality, and open the doors to potential increased production speed, with the purchase of the award -winning Arizona flatbed printer. 

With over 6,000 installations worldwide, Canon’s Arizona series has been recognised by customers across the globe as the best solution for a large variety of wide-format applications. 

Craig Nethercott, Managing Director, Canon Production Printing Oceania, says, “The Coronavirus pandemic has provided arguably the most challenging and demanding period that Australian business has faced within the last decade. As the forerunner in the print industry, it’s up to us to help it thrive.”

“Kick Start is designed to help those looking to evolve their businesses by taking on a new and wider range of wide-format applications that suit the current demands of consumers and industry.

“We’ve listened closely to the feedback of our customers and have carefully considered this option to assist the evolution and success of the print industry as a whole. We’re continually encouraged and inspired by the forward-thinking businesses of the industry, and together we must continue to work towards a prosperous and bright future. So, we’ve decided to put our money where our mouth is to make this happen, despite taking a cut to our own bottom line.” he says.





In addition to the Kick Start initiative, the company have released a Flatbed Buyers Guide, to assist businesses already considering the addition of a Flatbed printer. The Flatbed Buyers Guide, the company says, helps makes sense of the myriad of complexities and considerations in selecting the appropriate Flatbed printing technology.

For businesses after a roll-to-roll solution, Kick Start also features 16 litres of free ink, with the purchase of the Colorado, which boasts the ability to print matte or gloss via a single substrate and ground-breaking UVGel ink set. 

Building on the success of JETSCI Colornovo and utilising more than a decade’s inkjet expertise, Monotech Systems Limited has launched four new models of Digital Label Presses under its renowned brand JETSCI Global. The portfolio of brand new presses are developed to fit into every customer’s budget and workflow, and also to meet the current and future market opportunities, such as time to market, the rise in substrates, shelf appeal, brand protection and sustainability. 

JETSCI KolorSmart: This is a 4 or 5 Color, 8.5 inches digital label printing press, very much suitable for the customers who want to start into digital with lower capital and/or utilise their existing converting and finishing facility.

JETSCI KolorSmart+: This is an advanced version of KolorSmart, having additional pre-inkjet Flexo station with standard UV curing to apply primers, under white or spot colours.

JETSCI Colornovo Hybrid: This is enhanced version of the Colornovo digital label press launched earlier and based on GM (Grafisk Maskinfabrik) web control system. The press can be configured with 8.5 or 13 inch, 4 to 6 Color UV inkjet, with SPOT registered Flexo, Cold foil, and lamination before UV inkjet and all UV curing systems are with Chiller units.

JETSCI Colornovo Hybrid+: This model is suitably configured Digital Label production press having additional finishing and converting features to Colornovo Hybrid, Flexo station with Cold foil after UV inkjet, Semi & Full Rotary Die-cut, Slitting station and Dual Rewind.

All the models utilise inkjet print head technology from Kyocera providing uncompromised quality and highly flexible UV inkjet printing at 600x 600 dpi resolutions up to 3 or 4 drop grey scale and productivity at up to speeds of 50 m/min, and UV inkjet is configured with switchable Inter Color pinning after each colour and provided with advanced colour management kit for best output in colour matching, Web Cleaner, and Corona Treater.

Strengthening the product portfolio JETSCI Global has now covered the complete range of Digital Label production solutions, and beauty is that each model is upgradable on field to next or higher model or configuration(s), so customers can start from just basic as per requirements and budget and can upgrade later on field to any other model based on the requirements thus saving them on huge capital re investments.

Jimit Mittal, President, JETSCI Global says “We came across several potential buyers of digital label printing solutions, who want to quickly start with digital but don’t want to make heavy investment and gradually want to build the workflow around. We are on a mission to provide every Label printer the path to start with Digital printing economically, reliably & with fastest returns and maximum profits. With this launch we are now confident that our offerings from JETSCI Global will suit every label printer’s requirements. Being UV inkjet, it is the most flexible technology in terms of substrates usage, quality and adopting digital at early stage helped our customers grow faster.”

Esko has rolled out a new XPS Crystal Certification Program to recognise those plate making businesses that consistently produce superior flexo plates and flexographic print quality.

Esko Flexo Certification 1The global developer of integrated hardware and software solutions for the print and packaging industry introduced the scheme as a way for companies to communicate their ‘best in class’ plate offering, reassuring supply chain partners and brand owner customers of both best practice in production processes and consistent quality of final print. 

“The certification scheme was developed specifically to ensure the entire supply chain can meet the exacting needs and requirements of brands and converters in terms of predictable and accurate plate quality and the highest plate making consistency available, for any given photopolymer,” said Pascal Thomas, Director of Flexo Business at Esko. “It’s a confirmation of production excellence. Certified members can assure their customers of optimum quality and performance in their plates and resulting print.”

Pascal said the XPS Crystal Certification Program is open to all users of its innovative XPS Crystal exposure units. “Beyond the obvious external communication benefits, certified members will be able to verify their plate making process against the industry benchmark. This also serves to help track plate quality over time and catch potential issues before they occur on press.”

The award winning Esko XPS Crystal technology optimally combines UV main and back exposure, using LEDs that always emit consistent UV light as opposed to traditional exposure frames, which use lightbulbs with fluctuating output. Winner of the prestigious FTA award, 2017 Intertech Technology Award, 2019 EFIA Technology award and the Red Dot Award for Product Design, the XPS Crystal delivers a simultaneous and optimally controlled UV main and back exposure to produce highly consistent digital flexo plates.

Esko is introducing this new scheme following the success of its very successful HDFlexo certification program for Esko Flexo Certification 2flexo platemaking. The new certification is offered as part of the XPS Crystal maintenance contract and the process can be started either on installation, during a preventative maintenance visit, or upon request. Certification is valid for 24 months and during this period Esko will support members’ quality control by verifying both imaging quality and the processing quality of equipment in comparison to the company’s ‘Certified Benchmark Reference’.

Always keen to be at the forefront of industry advances, Medialliance Graphic, elected to be among the first companies to undertake the certification process. Established more than four decades ago, medium-sized independent French enterprise Medialliance has become a go-to partner for companies looking for support with packaging and brand identities. Honing their expertise through years of experience, they are always driven by their customers’ growing needs for skills and services.

“With more than 40 years in business, we are renowned for producing plates of the highest quality,” said Jonathan Schmitt, Director of Operations at Medialliance Graphic. “Any third-party endorsement like this underlines our reputation. The Esko Certification Program is an excellent marketing tool for the business, enabling us to add value and promote an extra level of quality assurance to our customers, and additionally consolidates our relationship with what is the leading developer of integrated hardware and software solutions in our industry.

“As a certified partner, we benefit from benchmarking and identification of best practice around quality control processes and production efficiency.”

For more information about the scheme, please visit www.esko.com/en/products/digital-flexo-platemaking/xps-crystal/certification

British manufacturer of printing and converting machinery, Edale has launched FL1 Prime, its latest addition to its FL range of flexographic presses offering cost-efficient quality label printing.

The FL1 Prime is built on the fundamentals of its bigger brother, the FL3, and has been developed as affordable, high quality label printing option with minimal waste. The target market is businesses that want a logical replacement or addition to the older mechanical presses used within the narrow web printing market or do not require the advanced automation of the FL3.

The new press offers a web width of 350mm (13in), and similarly to the entire FL range, it features servo-driven technology as standard with Uniprint printhead design geometry, as well as pre and auto-register. The Prime is modular and upgradable, with options to install EZ Reg and EZ Die as well as LED UV curing.

‘We noticed a gap in the market for those businesses who wanted an affordable “step up” to a press which gives technological advancement and efficiencies and delivers superior print quality,’ said James Boughton, managing director of Edale. ‘The FL1 Prime modular design can be upgraded to suit the businesses’ growth when they need it.’

‘This year marks 75 years’ experience in the printing and packaging industry and what better time for us to mark this occasion than with our launch of the FL1 Prime, which will be followed by other new products throughout the year. We are proud to have our FL presses installed worldwide, all of which are designed and manufactured in our UK Headquarters,’ concluded Boughton.

Xeikon is launching into the corrugated printing market with Idera, a new fully integrated digital solutions platform for corrugated packaging converters.

The new platform is a post-print, single-pass printing press, using certified food-safe water-based inks on coated and uncoated corrugated sheets, up to 1.6 m wide x 2.8 m long at up to 150 linear m/min. The inks are manufactured by Xeikon itself.

It has been designed as a solution for a corrugated box market with decreasing lot sizes, shorter lead times, and ever-increasing demand for high-quality packaging.

Xeikon says Idera will deliver higher print quality than flexography and enable printing of both short and long runs with all the benefits of a digital print-on-demand solution, including reduced waste. Idera also has the ability to customise and version.

From September onwards, the Idera solution will be available at the Global Innovation Center in Lier, Belgium for customer evaluation and testing.

“It is no secret that we are seeing rapid changes in the behavioural patterns of consumers, brands and retailers,” Sebastien Stabel, market segment manager for Carton Packaging at Xeikon, said.

“The exponential growth of e-commerce and the increasing pressure on sustainability are underlying forces that drive creative innovation in the digitisation of packaging to higher levels of productivity. Ever rising consumer expectations for instant, unique and entertaining products continue to set the bar higher within the supply chain for decreased lead times and even faster delivery,” Stabel said.

Xeikon enters a market that has EFI with its Nozomi and HP with its Pagewide leading a field that will also soon include other industry heavyweights such as Screen, Domino, and others. However, Xeikon is owned by Flint, which is the world's biggest supplier to the flexo industry, giving it unrivalled entry to the market. Xeikon also already develops and supplies flexo platemaking equipment.

Xeikon points to the McKinsey report from a year ago, No ordinary disruption – winning with new models in packaging 2030, which warns, “This is the time for companies in the packaging industry to buckle up and get ready. They have less than two years to prepare”. With that in mind, companies need to change their focus with an intuition reset and review their business models and markets.

Xeikon believes that migrating from corrugated post-print to digital corrugated printing is the optimal way for forward-thinking businesses to set themselves up for future success.

It says its Idera solution “provides the winning combination of a best-in-class, single-pass digital press for the corrugated sector, food-safety patented ink technology, and an open architecture system for third-party integration.”

To develop Idera, Xeikon relied on its long established in-house digital expertise, and on the experience and manufacturing footprint of its parent company, Flint Group. As the number one supplier of inks for corrugated packaging, Flint has a deep understanding of the corrugated market.

Stabel said, “We are working closely with Flint Group, our partners, and most importantly our customers, to customise the software, hardware and ink sets and address more closely the needs of the corrugated market. At the same time, we add our digital expertise to what is already a solid base product.”

Lode Deprez, VP Digital Inks & Imaging Technology said, “In our R&D Competence Center for digital inks, our engineers develop, formulate and produce our own high-performing, food-safe, water-based inks. This includes our new and patented technology used for pigment dispersion that guarantees the best performance and a cost-efficient solution.”

Filip Weymans, Xeikon vice president of marketing, said, “With more than 30 years of innovation and experience in digital printing, we are still leading the way. Xeikon is recognised as an advisor in many key markets, such as graphic arts and labels, and now in the corrugated market. Xeikon is a technology-agnostic advisor in the digital transformation that print manufacturing processes are undergoing. We are excited to be bringing Xeikon and Flint Group knowledge and expertise to the corrugated market with Idera and our broad range of consulting and advisory services.”