By Melissa Donovan
Part 2 of 2
Grand format printers, which Digital Output considers over 95 inches in width, are continually updated to meet some of the latest demands from consumers and the market in general. This includes media handling, productivity, and quality.
Available Options
Here, vendors share some of their newest or most popular models.
Agfa Graphics’ newest addition is the Jeti Tauro H3300 UV LED printer. At 126 inches in width, it is equipped with several options to enhance the user’s productivity. A dual master jumbo roll to roll enables loading of one or two master jumbo rolls up to 63 inches in width and weighing up to 1,764 lbs. It also offers the option of full automation for up to four individual pallets of rigid substrates to be loaded by fork lift. Pricing depends on the configuration.
American Printing Systems LLC (APS) is the master distributor for Flora UV printers in the U.S. The Flora Xtra5000 roll-to-roll printer offers a maximum width of 196.8 inches or 16.4 feet. It is equipped with Konica Minolta 1024i printheads to offer variable dot sizes from six to 18 picoliters. An industrial strength media handling systems holds materials up to 790 lbs. and the printer is able to print on up to three rolls simultaneously. The base model from APS is $241,495.
CET Color offers the K2-1000h Niagara 125-inch UV LED printer. Equipped with Kyocera printheads, ultra-fine variable dots from five to 15 picoliters are possible. Users achieve speeds of up to 1,000 square feet per hour (sf/h) in three passes, running dual rows of printheads. Front and rear extension tables can be added to the printer to print rigid media up to two inches thick.
DigiFab Systems, Inc. offers the 130-inch StampaJet K2-330 dye-sublimation printer. It outputs at maximum speeds of 2,854 sf/h and 1,275 sf/h in quality mode. Using Kyocera printheads, it is equipped with a large capacity media handling device.
The Durst Image Technology US LLC P5 250 HS 98-inch printer was announced in the second half of 2018. It runs at up to 3,300 square feet per hour at five picoliter droplet rates. Contact Durst for pricing.
EFI announced at its Connect user conference in January 2019 the VUTEk h5. A 126-inch UV LED device, it is capable of handling two, 60-inch rolls. Automated media handling options include wide, heavy duty roller tables, material edge gripes, a three-quarter automated media loader and stacker, and super duty winder and rewinder.
Fujifilm North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division launched the Acuity Ultra at SGIA Expo in 2018. The printer is available at either 126 or 197 inches in width. It utilizes Fujifilm Uvijet GS UV inks, which produce excellent coverage and adhesion as well as a durable finish. The printer is equipped with a chilled vacuum table to enable printing of thin heat-sensitive substrates.
HP Inc. offers the HP Latex 3600 printer, which is rated to handle production peaks of up to 350,000 square feet per month. An up to 126-inch roll width handles weights of up to 666 lbs. The machine is configured to run two, 61-inch rolls at a time, with each roll up to 440 lbs. maximum weight.
Mimaki USA, Inc. offers three grand format devices—the 127.9-inch UJV55-320, 129.9-inch TS500P-3200, and 129.5-inch TX500P-3200DS. The former is a UV LED printer that supports seven ink colors including white. Media can be fed on one roll, or two rolls up to 60 inches each can be run simultaneously. The latter two printers are designed for textile printing. The TS500P-3200 is a dedicated transfer model with a high gap printhead. The TX500P-3200DS reduces two steps into one, direct to textile printing and color fixation. Contact Mimaki for the pricing of all three printers.
Expanded Capabilities
Superwide printers are ideal for any PSP hoping to meet high-volume capacity. Dual roll capability and the ability to handle heavy rolls or pallets of media are some of the more prevent automated features found on today’s newest devices. Many grand format printers are available—equipped with any ink set—to meet the wants and needs of a print provider.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, Higher Volume Workhorses.
May2019, Digital Output
