Franchini allies with inkjet manufacturer

Franchini has entered into a partnership with US company Array Graphics to integrate ink jet printers into label printing and converting lines. Arrays Jet engine inkjet module consists of two basic units: a 1Ž2 head - similar to desktop printer cartridges - and the imager, a fixed block of three heads covering a print width of 3.81 cm. Print resolution ranges from 600x150 dpi to 600x600 dpi.

Windows-based software controls all programming and operating functions and the user-friendly GUI allows for many functions:  for example images can be rotated by one degree at a time, check digits can be inserted, prefixes and suffixes can be added and ink consumption can be calculated according to each job. The system uses solvent and UV curable inks in either cartridges or bulk ink systems, with Pantone colors available.

The Array system is highly modular and allows stitching of more than four units across a press line. Franchini recently installed in Italy the widest in-line inkjet module created in Europe, with 11 imagers set in a continuous line - 33  heads - on a flexo press used for security applications at Pasqui Srl.