Heidelberg enters color inkjet market

Heidelberg has developed an inkjet system which has the potential to provide multi-color digital print capability for conventional label presses. The Linoprint digital printing system was developed primarily for integration directly onto the packaging line – for blister or carton production for example.

It can also be used to overprint variable data such as news, sports results or puzzles onto labels on the packaging line. The Linoprint system comprises two elements: a printing unit – consisting of the print head, cleaning unit and dryer – integrated into a production line, and control software adapted to individual customer requirements. Linospot, the version for single-color printing, is nearing readiness for the blister film printing segment, and will soon be rolled out to imprint labels and folding boxes. Linospot prints at 720 dpi with a printing speed of up to 60 meters (200ft)/minute. The printing width is up to 288mm (11.33in), but this can be expanded by installing multiple printing modules in parallel. Similarly, the resolution can be changed by connecting multiple printing modules in sequence. Specially optimized screen technology allows gray tones to be generated, while special colors are also feasible. The Linoprint developers are now working on an enhancement of Linocolor to a 4-color printing unit.

The resolution will be at least 600 dpi, the printing width 50 to 150mm (5.9ins). At up to 2.5 meters (8.2ft) per second – 150 meters (492ft)/minute, the printing speed will be significantly higher than that of the Linospot. Linospot and Linocolor can process a wide variety of ink types suitable for a broad range of print substrates. The Linoflow control unit is used to prepare printing data, generate production-specific variable data and process the print content. Linoflow is either integrated into the existing production control system or installed on a supplementary PC.

Linoprint is working with a range of partners to customize the system for each application. Consumables will be marketed under the Saphira brand.

Although Linoprint is a Heidelberg-owned company, the Linoprint team is autonomous as far as business decisions are concerned, enabling it to act fast and flexibly.