Xeikon adds entry-level Panther UV inkjet press

Xeikon has added an entry-level version of its Panther UV inkjet press series, with the PX2000 announced at Labelexpo Europe 2017.

PX2000 joins PX3000 (pictured) in Xeikon's Panther series

Xeikon’s Panther UV inkjet technology was launched earlier this year, with PX3000 the first press in the portfolio. PX2000 has a web width of 220mm (8.7in) and running print speed of up to 50m/min (164.5ft/min). All presses within the series are powered by Xeikon’s Panther technology, which uses unique PantherCure UV inks and takes advantage of the Xeikon X-800 digital front end. Both PX3000 and PX2000 are now available in 4- and 5-color configurations, allowing label printers to add white ink via an upgrade. Xeikon Panther series presses also feature full rotary printing with variable repeat, consistent 600 DPI at 2-bit printing quality, and the ability to print on common self-adhesive substrates, including coated paper, PP, PE, vinyl, BOPP and PET.

‘We are excited to be expanding our UV inkjet line of digital label presses so quickly,” said Filip Weymans, vice president of global marketing at Xeikon. ‘This rapid product development underscores our commitment to offering a broad portfolio of complementary solutions, for both our Cheetah series of dry toner and Panther series of UV inkjet digital label presses.

‘Our goal is to bring to market the broadest portfolio of digital label presses in the industry, together with professional services that help our customers determine which solution is best for their businesses. Our offering also includes workflow and finishing as these are crucial in enabling a fully integrated and seamless production process in the spirit of Industry 4.0.’

‘The reason for building a 4-color press is that, aside from the lower investment cost with inkjet technology, performance of the heads is affected by the usage,’ continued Weymans. ‘Low usage, which can be the case for white ink, can result in reducing the uptime of the press. As some label printers do not need white ink, we believe offering the Panther presses in a 4-colour configuration services exactly their needs.’

The 5-color Xeikon PX3000 will be commercially available in March 2018, and first orders are already being taken from a few early adopters.

Benoit Chatelard, president and CEO, Digital Solutions at Flint Group, commented: ‘We are proud to announce we have been able to rapidly grow our digital label printing portfolio, for both our Panther series of UV inkjet presses, and our Cheetah series of dry toner digital label presses.

‘These announcements reinforce our continued dedication to investment in dry toner technology, while we also continue to advance our presence in complementary UV inkjet solutions.’

On its stand at Labelexpo Europe, Xeikon is demonstrating its complementary product portfolio with the Xeikon PX3000, CX500 and CX3 running live. Set-up of the latter includes the first commercial module of Fusion, an opaque white digital screen printing unit. Fusion technology combines printing with digital embellishment of labels and packaging in a single, one-pass and fully digital production process.