Labelexpo Europe 2013 exhibitor preview: Digital printing

Afinia

Launches the L-801 label printer powered by Memjet Waterfall technology to give speeds up to 18m/min on a 216mm width at 1,600dpi. The printer will handle a roll from 50mm up to 216mm on the integrated unwinder. Output can be set to cut using the automatic cutter, print and hold, or roll-to-roll using the optional rewinder. It holds 1.25 liters of CMYK ink.

Allen Datagraph Systems

Displays the iTech Axxis HS digital label system, a roll-to-roll table-top system with LED toner print engine imaging at 1,200 x 600dpi, up to 30f/min (9m/min), from 6-8.5in wide (152-216mm). The iTech Centra HS is a complete roll-to-roll system fitting between table-top and full-scale production equipment using the same LED toner print engine at widths from 8.5-12.9in (216-328mm) It can convert printed material from a conventional press with a maximum roll diameter of 14in (356mm) and up to 14in wide (356mm).

Domino

The latest version of Domino’s full color N600i digital label press will be shown integrated into an AB Graphic Digicon finishing line as well as a stand-alone press, and with an integrated AVT quality inspection system and i-Tech intelligent technology features. Also on the stand will be the K600i single color high-resolution VDP printer integrated onto a rewinder. Print speed of all systems is 75m/min (246ft/min) at 600dpi native.

Durst

Launches the Tau 330 UV inkjet label press with in-line 1,000W digital laser finishing unit from Spartanics. For a complete finishing process, optional UV coating and lamination can be added. Also demonstrates the new Tau low-migration UV Inks from Sunjet, available as an option for food, healthcare and pharmaceutical applications. When combined with the specially designed UV curing system, the Tau LM inks can achieve migration limits of <10ppb, expanding the range of applications to unsupported foils, such as blister packs and yogurt lids. A second Tau 330 press will be demonstrated with a built-in chill roller, extending its print range to unsupported films and foils. A high-resolution Nikka video inspection system is incorporated.

EFI Jetrion

Shows the latest version of its five-color 4900M-330 digital production system, complete with laser and combination varnish/lamination unit.

Epson

First showing of the SurePress L-6034VW single-pass digital label press, the first Epson product to use LED-curable UV ink. Also shows the SurePress L-4033AW seven-color inkjet label press with white ink. The Epson AQ ink set includes green and orange inks.

Gallus

Launches Heidelberg Linoprint L digital inkjet presses in 210mm and 315mm working widths. Common features include insetting on already die-cut rolls, a four-color print speed up to 48 m/min at 600dpi native, and UV-LED curing, allowing heat-sensitive substrates to be handled. The Heidelberg Prinect Digital Print Manager Label is a new DFE based on Heidelberg’s established offset workflow, increasing RIP performance, particularly when processing variable data. Shows hybrid working environment with 210mm Linoprint L, Gallus ECS 340 with Plus update package and ECS C converter. An EM 430 S and RCS330 print unit will also be on stand.

Grafotronic

Introduces a four-color, 80m/min bi-directional inkjet press made in cooperation with Masterprint Europe. It includes two flexo units for priming and varnishing, and a combined semi-rotary/rotary die cutting unit. The machine is fully modular, with options including lamination, inspection and sheeting.

Graficon Maschinenbau

Has developed a UV inkjet press based on its popular T200 model, incorporating in-line printing, die-cutting and finishing. Existing T180/200 printing machines can be converted into a Puma iT with the new digital print unit. White is available as an extra color option. The modular machine can be combined with flat screen printing, UV letterpress printing, hot-foil stamping, embossing, varnish, laminating and insetting devices.

HP Indigo

Presents its full labels and packaging digital printing portfolio – narrow web, wide web and sheet-fed – for label, sleeve, flexible packaging and folding carton production. The HP Indigo 20000 and HP Indigo 30000 B2 format digital presses will be making their first appearance, operating with a new dedicated print server, powered by Esko, developed to support flexible packaging and folding carton production and seamlessly integrate the presses into any workflow. For folding cartons, the HP Indigo 30000 will be shown in-line with the Tresu iCoat 30000, a selective UV and WB coater designed especially for the press. Kama will also show a new technology for automatic stripping and blanking after die-cutting as well as the Kama DC 76 die-cutting and foil machine. HP Indigo and AB Graphic show new technologies for label converting on a wide web. The AB Graphic Digicon 3000 will allow optimized one-pass production for both labels and flexible packaging on the 20000 press. Its modular design enables users to produce labels and a variety of flexible packaging laminates. The HP Indigo WS6600 digital press will be operating with the new HP SmartStream Labels and Packaging Print Server, version 4, powered by Esko, offering simplified color management and automated job preparation. The upgrade option will be available for all HP Indigo WS6000 and WS4000 series presses.

Impression Technology Europe

Introduces the LP1 inkjet press to the Compress range. Using 220ml cartridges the ink is delivered via 360 nozzles for color and black to a maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440dpi printing at rates from 19ppm to 37ppm or, for continuous, 3.19m to 5.14m per minute. The LP1 handles continuous media, either roll or fanfold, up to a maximum outside diameter of 315mm, a media width of 50.8 - 215.9mm and paper weight of 64-90gsm for plain paper and 91-256gsm for thick media. Also new is the Eclipse LF3 die-cutter, slitter and laminator.

Inglese

Launches the Inglese DP210 roll-to-roll four-color label printer using a dry toner with LED/laser imaging, providing chemically resistant images without the need to laminate.

INX

Sharing a stand with Spartanics, showcases the NW140 UV digital narrow web press powered by JetINX running in-line with the Spartanics X-140 laser station at speeds of up to 80m/min.

iSys

Shows the Edge 850 and Apex 1290 digital label printing systems.

JF Machines

Shows the PicoColour 140 digital color label press using Xaar 1001 inkjet printheads and CMYK SunJet UV inks. The machine is equipped with in-line rotary die-cutting, using Rotometrics tooling, and built-in image processing software. It is available in three print widths: 70, 140 and 210mm, and with an optional fifth color. Introduces variable data printing capability, a new high precision drive technology and upgraded RIP software for improved color accuracy.

MCS

Shows its Eagle UV inkjet system printing barcodes, numbering and variable graphics in a 4.25in format on BOPP labelstock at speeds over 300ft/min on an Aztec label rewinder at 600dpi. Designed for integration onto existing flexographic presses and rewinders using both UV-curable and water-based inks.

Monotech Systems

Will showcase new developments in the Jetsci Y series of inkjet printers, which can be retrofitted to any conventional web- or sheet-fed press and off-line presses for variable data printing. Three different models have been launched with UV, water-based and security/ MICR inks.

OKI

Shows the latest generation proColor digital print system. The OKI color print engine is also featured on a variety of OEM stands at the show.

Screen

Marks the commercial launch of the Truepress Jet L350UV, Screen’s first narrow web UV inkjet press, and the appointment of Dantex as its reseller in selected European markets. The L350UV prints at 16 sq m/min on a 350mm web at resolutions of 600 x 600dpi native with a minimum droplet size of three picoliters. Its color management system is based on Screen’s Equios universal workflow and Screen’s proprietary high-definition UV inks, with white optionally available. In-line finishing options are available.

Shiki

Launches the compact PJ UV-LED inkjet digital printer running at 50m/min.

Stork Prints

Demonstrates latest version of DSI UV inkjet label press with up to 10 print heads for options including digital white, digital primer and an extended color gamut using orange and violet. The company’s Screen operation demonstrates rotary screen integration (RSI) print modules, RotaMesh and RotaPlate screens. A direct laser engraving unit is also shown.

SwiftColor

Offers choice of 4in color label printers and 4in color card printers based on inkjet dye and pigment systems.

VIPColor

Features VIPColor VP495 desktop color label printer using VIPColor Durable Ink Printing Technology, a four-ink, all pigment-based ink system which on inkjet compatible media produces labels suitable for outdoor and moist environment applications. Suitable for BS5609 drum labeling, GHS and chemical products, fertilizers, gardening and horticulture or machinery subjected to prolonged moisture and sunlight exposure.

Weifang Donghang

Chinese manufacturer shows three new presses: an LED-cured digital inkjet press operating on a 210mm web width and printing at up to 75m/min; the DH520mm eight-color flexo press, available in web widths from 330mm to 1.65m, with dual servo on each print station, touchscreen for setting print pressures, roll-to-roll or roll-to-sheet configuration and with screen printing available. Print speed is up to 200m/min; The seven-color DH320L intermittent offset press will be shown with five offset printing heads and two flexo heads, cold foiling and rotary die-cutting. Printing repeat is 350mm and speed up to 70m/min. Auto register is incorporated.

Read the full Labelexpo Europe 2013 show preview in Labels & Labeling #4, 2013

See the full exhibitor list here