Drupa 2016 Technology Review

 EFI launched Fiery Navigator, a cloud-based print management platform for Fiery-driven digital presses; and the Fiery XB digital front end, a scalable, high-volume blade server technology for the new generation of ultra-high-speed inkjet presses.

The Océ VarioPrint i300 sheetfed inkjet press.

Canon has greatly increased the number of substrates that its Océ VarioPrint i300 sheetfed inkjet press can handle with the new ColorGrip in-line paper conditioning option. It now includes standard uncoated and offset coated media. In addition, two new finishing options have been added. The BLM600 booklet-making system combines stitching, folding, spine forming and trimming in a single machine. The Tecnau TC 1530 dynamic cut-sheet perforator creates horizontal and vertical micro-perforations, allowing the pattern to be turned on and off on a page-by-page basis.

The Xerox Brenva HD cut-sheet production inkjet press.

The new Brenva HD cut-sheet production inkjet press was on display from Xerox, along with the continuous-feed Trivor 2400 inkjet press. Key features of the Brenva HD include an in-line spectrophoto­meter to assist with calibration and profiling; object-oriented color management to distinguish text, graphics and images and to optimize image quality; and K-only mode so it will run as a cost-effective monochrome press. The Trivor 2400 runs at 551 fpm in color; 656 fpm in monochrome and boasts a small footprint. Xerox also demonstrated its High Fusion ink, which enables inkjet printing on traditional offset coated stocks without the need for pre- or post-paper treatment.

The Kodak NexPress "Max Platform"

Kodak rolled out the “Max Platform,” a next-generation NexPress color platform built with Kodak NexPress dynamic imaging technology. Featuring a new multi-bit LED writing system, this press produces a range of applications, including transactional, direct mail, packaging and photobooks. It features a high-resolution, multi-bit LED writing system, computed at 12 bits and delivering eight bits of data to each of the imaging cylinders. It has a speed range flexibility of 70 to 152 ppm and accommodates expanded sheet sizes from 10x7.9˝ up to 48x14˝.

Ricoh demonstrated a fully configured Ricoh Pro VC60000 running a variety of media roll-to-roll and roll-to-sheet. The press is able to handle multiple data streams at rated speeds with the TotalFlow Print Server R600A. In addition, drop-on-demand stainless steel printheads adjust ink drop size dynamically for every pixel, so ink is not wasted. The Pro VC60000 has climate controls, allowing users to turn on the heat with an optional extended dryer. Ricoh also showed digital color cut-sheet presses, including the Ricoh Pro C9110 and the Ricoh Pro C7100x with its fifth toner station.

In a major rebranding, Konica Minolta announced that its commercial printing solutions will be known as AccurioPro. The KM-1, a B2+ sheetfed UV inkjet press that officially launched at the show, will become AccurioJet KM-1. Shown as a prototype, the KM-C is a B1-format UV inkjet digital press that utilizes technology from the AccurioJet KM-1, enabling 1,200x1,200 dpi resolution, as well as excellent color stability, in-line sensor and image correction, and the ability to print on a range of substrates without pre-coating.

Fujifilm's J Press 720S cut-sheet inkjet press.

Fujifilm highlighted how the improved J Press 720S cut-sheet inkjet press can deliver competitive benefits in a production environment. The latest generation of SAMBA printheads form the heart of the single-pass inkjet printing system used for high-performance and stable jetting. Wide-gamut VIVIDIA water-based pigment ink is applied with RAPIC anti-coagulation technologies to achieve sharp printed results on a range of printing papers. Other features include extended FM screening optimized for inkjet and an automatic, on-the-fly image compensation function that controls ink deposition inconsistencies.

Screen debuted the high-speed Truepress Jet520NX roll-fed inkjet press, which is scheduled for market release in February 2017. The press is equipped with a newly developed, 5˝ printhead module and supports a maximum resolution of 600x1,200 dpi. In addition to the standard printheads for four ink colors, the Truepress Jet520NX can be fitted with an extra printhead for a fifth color that enables the use of MICR black, invisible UV fluorescent and other special inks.

The Excelagraphix 4800 was on display from Xanté. Powered by Memjet’s exclusive Waterfall Printhead Technology, this fast inkjet press employs a stationary printhead bar system that allows for single-pass print speeds up to 416 48x24˝ corrugated flat sph. It prints folded and glued RSCs and diecut sheets, and offers variable data and personalized printing within the same job.

Riso previewed two digital printers newly developed for transactional printing: the Riso T1 full-color, continuous-feed inkjet printer and the Riso T2 full-color, cut-sheet inkjet printer. The T1 runs at speeds equivalent to 565 A4 ppm and can handle generic sizes of roll paper, enabling users to use post-processing devices that they already own. By linking two printing units for the front and back sides, the Riso T2 cut-sheet press offers fast, high-volume duplex printing of small lots for multiple jobs at speeds up to 300 A4 ppm.

Epson's new SureColor P20000 wide-format printer.

Epson debuted the 64˝ SureColor P20000 wide-format printer that employs PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads for 2,400x1,200 dpi output, even at the highest print speeds. Designed for photographic fine art and indoor display graphics printing, this press is a successor to one of Epson’s Stylus Pro 11880.

Pitney Bowes demonstrated High Definition Nozzle Architecture (HDNA) technology on its IntelliJet 20 HD and IntelliJet 42 HD printing systems. The HDNA upgrade provides double the print resolution of these machines to 2,400 nozzles/in. It also allows for faster print speeds of up to 1,000 fpm.

Agfa Graphics introduced the 2.5m Anapurna H2500i LED wide-format printer, a hybrid solution for printing rigid and flexible media. Its white ink function includes pre-, post-, spot and even sandwich white. Productivity can be further increased with the optional automatic board feeder. The Anapurna i-series inkjet systems are equipped with powerful, air-cooled UV LED lamps. Thanks to reduced heat emissions, the Anapurna H2500i LED can print on a wider media mix, including more heat-sensitive substrates such as thin-layer styrene.

Heidelberg premiered an automated, eight-color Speedmaster XL 106 perfector designed for autonomous printing. The press was controlled by new Prinect Press Center XL 2 control station; Intellistart 2 software, which has been integrated into the new Wallscreen XL; and “Hycolor Multidrive,” which controls the inking and dampening units independently to greatly reduce makeready times. Jobs are listed in a “Job Queue” and can be moved using drag and drop. Intellistart 2 automatically works through these jobs in the defined order. “Quality Assist” recognizes when the sheet has reached the defined quality parameters and automatically commences good sheet production.

The ECO-UV integrated curing system for DI presses was showcased in Presstek’s stand. ECO-UV is said to be approximately 70% more efficient than standard UV and generates less heat, which results in superior sheet control and less stock deformation. This quality and speed is not limited to non-porous substrates, such as plastic and vinyl, but extends to traditional paper and board, as well. It offers printers an affordable way to get into the UV printing market.

Komori highlighted its 23x29˝ Impremia IS29 cut-sheet UV inkjet press, which is capable of printing on a range of stocks. Also demonstrated was the B1-size Impremia NS40 digital printing system, which incorporates new nanotechnology under license from Landa Corp. The press performs high-speed printing at 6,500 sph and is heralded as the world’s first B1 inkjet printing system.

Among the show highlights by RMGT (RYOBI MHI Graphic Technology) was the DP7 series digital press. The RMGT DP7, a true six-up liquid toner digital offset press, offers a 23.5x31˝ sheet size and up to 8,000 sph production speed. It adopts the well-established paper handling, liquid toner imaging process and industrial stacked fusing unit to meet the need for custom, offset-quality print production.

The AlphaJet B1+ sheetfed UV inkjet digital press was introduced by MGI. With a sheet size capability of up to 29.5x47˝, it uses the very latest MGI inkjet engineering technology to produce output management with four to eight UV colors. Available in a variety of optional configurations, the AlphaJet can also apply 2D/3D spot UV coating and embossed hot foiling special effects. Also shown was the JETvarnish 3DW, the first digital label enhancement press capable of applying 2D spot coats, 3D dimensional textures and personalized embossed hot foiling for roll-to-roll applications.

The Finishing Touch
In a technology demonstration, Horizon (Standard Finishing) presented a hybrid folder/StitchLiner system that allows for the production of 16-page booklets from a single press sheet at speeds up to 6,000 booklets/hr. The Horizon AFC-746F folder creates the first and second fold of the 16-page signature and the last cross-fold is created by the Horizon StitchLiner 6000 saddle stitcher before stitching and three-side trimming into a completed self-cover booklet. Additionally, Horizon’s folding zone included large-format, outsert and pharmaceutical applications, as well as enhanced presser/stacker systems with new anti-static roller design and increased pressing power.

The MBO Group introduced the high-speed, webfed K8 RS Digi-Folder, which is ideal for running short-, medium- or long-run signature applications from any web up to 30˝ wide. In line with MBO’s overall modularity and flexible engineering concept, the folder can be configured in-line or near-line with a range of MBO modules and deliveries. In addition, high-speed LeMans and Monza signature processing lines for running high-volume signature applications were on diplay. The new A10 log stacker enables banded signature bundles for faster speeds.

The Insignia 7 sheetfed rotary diecutter from Rollem International handles up to 30˝-wide sheetfed jobs ranging from thin paper up to thick laminated membership cards. It accommodates pharmaceutical or cosmetics packaging, pocket folders, table tents, hang tags or garment tags. Featuring multiple delivery options; quick changeovers; solid, heavy-duty side frames; and mechanical functionality, the Insignia 7 is made in the United States.

Muller Martini demonstrated efficient finishing of variable printed products with its Presto II Digital saddle stitcher, which enables combined stitching of digital and offset printed signatures on the basis of pure barcode control. Faulty products are automatically ejected to guarantee with 100% accuracy that all magazines conveyed to the three-knife trimmer are complete and have the right signature sequence.