By Cassandra Balentine
The January issue of Digital Output highlights trends in UV roll-to-roll (R2R) printing in the wide format space. Here we present a round up of the latest from key vendors.
These printers are ideal for creating applications like wallcoverings, murals, banners, commercial art, decals, and vehicle wraps.
The Canon USA, Inc. Colorado printers with UVgel inks open up boundless creative opportunities for print service providers (PSPs) when it comes to producing stunning graphics. With the introduction of the newest Colorado M-series, equipped with UVgel white ink, users can print up to five layers without removing and reinstalling printheads or agitating white ink bags. When combined with the optional FLXfinish+ feature, which enables press operators to achieve matte, gloss, or a combination of both finishes in a single print run, along with the efficient cold LED curing technology, the Canon Colorado broadens the horizons for a range of applications.
CET Color’s UV R2R series of printers utilize Kyocera printheads and a magnetic linear drive system. It offers three models, the 3200, 126-inch offering; the 3200 Turbo another 126-inch device, and the 196-inch 5000. According to the company, all CET R2R printers are field upgradeable. Additionally, LED cure lamps, and a static guard kit are included with all CET R2R printers.
The Durst P5 350 HSR is a high-speed, 3.5-meter R2R UV LED printer that reaches speeds of up to 7,212 square feet per hour (sf/h) for unattended production. The P5 350 HSR integrated mesh system, changing material from banner to mesh or vice-versa is done in seconds and the XY cutting system, which allows sheets to be cut without interrupting the printing process, also increases efficiency and productivity. The P5 350 HSR is equipped with an integrated roll support that simplifies media loading and changing. Rolls can be processed in multi- and dual-roll options. The master roll—single and dual—features a roll diameter of up to 635 millimeters (mm) and a weight of 2,205 lbs.
Among its UV R2R solutions, the EFI VUTEk Q5r provides a complete print to finished graphic workflow—from RIP to finished product—on the same platform. Think of it as one solution that encompasses automatic, inline quality inspection, inline slitting and cutting, and roll and tape.
Fluid Color’s R70R is a high-volume inkjet printer that utilizes Ricoh Gen6 printheads. The device produces prints at 70 inches wide and offers print speeds of up to 1,290 sf/h on substrates up to 25 mm thick.
The Fujifilm Acuity Ultra R2 gives users the power to profit from a range of indoor and outdoor applications. It features print speeds of up to 4,327 sf/h; a variety of color configurations—six-color (CMYK LcLm), six-color + WW, and two x CMYK configuration options; 3.5 picoliter grayscale printheads; 0.004- to 0.08-inch media thickness capabilities. The machines are available in 3.2- and five-meter models in industrial UV and LED curing systems.
Inktec offers the JETRIX LXiR320, a UV R2R printer designed to provide productivity and stable printing for a range of materials.
Konica Minolta’s AccurioWide 200 hybrid UV LED inkjet printer features superior image quality and high productivity for outdoor and indoor job applications. It is equipped with UV LED lamps that allow operators to print on a wider range of media while simultaneously saving energy, time, and costs.
The UCJV330 Series of cut-and-print UV LED roll-based printers is built on popular Mimaki USA, Inc. models with improved productivity, image quality, and ink options to expand the production of high-value applications. A newly developed, patent-pending ink ejection technology reduces color irregularities in high-density areas, even in high-speed output mode. Clear ink that can be printed as gloss (varnish) over a color layer or as matte (frosted) on transparent film. A 2.5D print capability adds realistic texture by giving the design height, such as simulating the surface of leather. It supports up to five-layer printing that expands the range of applications and adds value to deliverables. An integrated cut functionality enables volume production of labels, decals, window clings, floor graphics, point of purchase displays, vehicle wraps, packaging, and prototypes in a single unit.
The entry-level UJV100-160Plus UV LED roll-based printer offers improvements over the UJV100-160 model that reduces running costs, features application expansion capabilities, and improves operational efficiency. With a maximum power consumption of 0.5kW, the UJV100-160Plus consumes less than half of the power of eco-solvent and latex printers on the market, helping print businesses reduce power costs and CO2 emissions. An ink-saving function reduces ink consumption by up to 50 percent while maintaining color balance of the printed design. A pull-back function rewinds the printed substrate allowing up to three-layer printing, enabling PSPs to offer more application variety from a single unit.
Roland DGA Corporation’s new LG Series and MG Series UV printer/cutters are built on the TrueVIS wide format platform. Specially formulated wide gamut ECO-UV EUV5 inks are available in CMYK as well as new orange and red options. Gloss and white specialty inks are also available.
The LG-300, LG-540, and LG-640 models are professional-level UV printer/cutters featuring two staggered printheads, significantly higher print speeds—up to 343 sf/h in draft mode; new UV lamps for more efficient curing; and other advancements that maximize productivity and ease of use. The MG-300 and MG-640 printer/cutters are designed to combine UV print quality and special effects capability.
swissQPrint offers the Karibu S R2R UV printer. Measuring 3.4 meters for single and 1.6 meter dual rolls it produces up to 330 square meters per hour at 1,080 dpi.
Stratojet offers the Falcon 3300, a UV R2R ideal for printing fabric and vinyl applications that are up to ten feet wide or multiple smaller rolls simultaneously. Print on the largest variety of roll media with its no pinch roller system using CMYK and white UV Inks that adhere to nearly anything at high speeds and 2,400 dpi.
TPS Inc. features the Nova UV LED, ten-foot wide flexible media platform printing at 720 to 1,200 dpi. Allowing for optional white, this machine can take up to nine printheads and can produce 1,060 sf/h.
UV R2F
UV R2R printers are well suited for a range of wide format applications. Continued advancements boost quality and productivity.
Jan2024, Digital Output
