Valloy launches low cost LED-UV press

Valloy already manufactures the Anytron ANY002 printer for the mid-range market, which is based on the OKI LED toner engine. But media limitations due to the engine’s high fusing temperature led customers to request to request a UV inkjet machine with a similar production rate of around 5 m/min and in a similar, sub-USD60k price range.

At the same time, Ricoh had launched its GH2220 printhead after more than ten years of development and was looking for a partner to build a UV inkjet narrow web press. Valloy was chosen and the two companies jointly developed the Topaz UV 13R press, which is targeted both at labels and flexible packaging production.

The 350mm-wide Topaz UV 13R is equipped with between 15 and 20 GH2220 heads, printing to a droplet size of 2.5 pl with a variable-dot imaging system running up to 6 m/min. The heads have a claimed working life of up to five years.

In addition to CMYK, the press supports white and varnish inks. The heads can print in any order and in multiple registered passes, so, for example, the white can be printed first or last, and multiple layers of varnish can be printed to build a ‘semi-3D’ effect.