Xeikon launches two entry-level presses

Xeikon has developed the two new presses for label printers operating on middle capacity, between 20,000-40,000 sqm or 30,000-55,000 MSI in all end-use segments, but excelling in the pharmaceutical, food, wine, and spirit label sectors. 

‘Part of the Xeikon strategy going forward is to make sure every label printer and converter has the maximum choice to purchase a Xeikon press which can help them drive business growth,’ commented Filip Weymans, VP Marketing at Xeikon. ‘A successful and cost-effective investment in a digital production solution works best when it is based on expected, realistic print volumes. 

‘Xeikon’s Cheetah 2.0 series offers competitive running costs, and printers have the opportunity to successfully expand the capabilities of their press (by upgrading either in speed or width, or both). The Xeikon CX30 and Xeikon CX50 are an appropriate choice for printers and converters looking at digital for the first time with future plans to expand and grow their operation – also for online label printers who are seeing their business explode.’

The new presses are positioned between the existing Xeikon 3030 REX and Xeikon 3050 REX entry-level presses and the higher-end Xeikon CX300 and Xeikon CX500.

Both can be upgraded for higher speeds, from 20m/min (65ft/min) to 30m/min (98ft/min) with the Xeikon CX300 or Xeikon CX500; and for greater width, the Xeikon CX30 (330mm or 13in) can be upgraded to the Xeikon CX50 (520mm or 20.47in) or the Xeikon CX500.

Cheetah 2.0 technology is based on Xeikon’s scalable press architecture that includes five print stations and a full rotary process with a variable repeat length. Each station utilizes Xeikon’s dry toner process and various print widths up to 512mm (20.3in) using an LED imaging head operating at 1200×3600 DPI and delivering offset/gravure image quality. 

The two new presses use Xeikon’s QB dry toner available in CMYK, Red, Blue, Green, Orange, extra Magenta, Super Black, plus technical colors such as one-pass opaque white, UV, and reflective clear, as well as colors produced at the customer’s request. 

The Xeikon CX30 and Xeikon CX50 are driven by the X-800 digital front end that can be integrated with common ERP and MIS systems. An integrated on-press in-line spectrometer monitors the accuracy of color reproduction over time and between presses.

‘With Xeikon’s long-standing expertise, we have developed the deeper understanding that can help label printers and converters with all aspects of running a successful digital business, from a choice of equipment (ten label presses) and choice of technology (dry toner and UV inkjet) to workflow integration and expert color management services. We are recognized as a go-to trusted advisor and solutions provider. Xeikon wants to help the label printer and converter transform his label manufacturing into digital label manufacturing – not just digitizing the printing aspect but also the other aspects of the manufacturing processes inspired by digital printing. With the introduction of the Xeikon CX30 and Xeikon CX50, we continue to build and structure our comprehensive portfolio so that our customers can find everything they need with Xeikon,’ concluded Weymans.

The new machines are available for physical and online demonstrations at Xeikon’s Global Innovation Center in Antwerp, Belgium, and globally commercially available as of Q1 2021.