Cheetah runs at Labelexpo Europe

The press - claimed the fastest 5-color digital press on the market - has been renamed the CX3 and will sport a Xeikon red livery rather than the cream with Cheetah logo of the pilot machines. At Labelexpo Xeikon also launches metallic spot colors, a retrofittable inline spectrophotometer and the latest version of its X-800 DFE, giving faster processing speeds and integrating more tightly with MIS and pre-press workflows. In addition Xeikon will show a 3300 press on the stand and a 3500 dedicated to folding cartons at the Packprint Workshop.

The underlying technology for the CX3 - still named Cheetah - allows for faster charging and de-charging of the five electrophotographic drums, which required development of modified toners able to perform at these faster speeds. 

The press runs 60 percent faster than any other model in Xeikon’s current press portfolio, operating at up to 30m/min (98ft/min). The CX3 can handle substrate widths up to 300mm (13in) with a native print resolution of 1.200 x 3.600dpi. Media weights are between 40- 350gsm

The need for faster data processing on the CX3 is reflected in the latest version of Xeikon’s X-800 digital front end (DFE). Version 4.0 includes full support for Adobe’s Mercury RIP architecture, which takes full advantage of multiple CPU cores in modern servers to accelerate overall job throughput in print production workflows. This will have a particular impact in areas like variable data processing and handling multiple transparency layers.

A new option in X-800 v4 is ColorKey, which works with Xeikon’s new inline spectrophotometer to generate reports on the accuracy with which specific brand colors are reproduced, as well as any deviations from a pre-defined printing standard.

For the first time, V4 X-800 fully integrates VariLane, an optional module which allows labels of different heights, widths and run lengths to be printed on the same web in separate lanes. Up to now this has only been available as an off-line system. Converters can use the software to make last-minute adjustments to artwork or add variable data. 

Xeikon has also been working on more intelligent MIS integration, including job setup based on off-line or in-line configuration - for example die cut lines before or after the job is printed; creating smart start/stop systems; and providing production feedback to the MIS.

At Labelexpo Xeikon introduces a new toner category called Creative Colors. The first two toners in the range are MatteSilver and Palladium Silver, intended for converters operating in the luxury packaging sector. Palladium Silver gives a ‘sandblasted’ textured effect and MatteSilver a solid effect, comparable to similar flexo and offset inks. As with Xeikon’s other toners the metallic colors are food safe and lightfast. 

Finally, Xeikon will showcases its Web Varnishing Module (WVM), first seen at Labelexpo Americas last year, which can apply UV or aqueous varnish on a wide range of substrates including self-adhesive label materials, unsupported films and paper board.

For the full story see next edition of Labels & Labeling.