Fespa 2015 preview: presses & printers

What's new on the stands at this year's wide-format expo.

AEG – Image Technology 6, T20

Alongside its Voyager series of UV-curing flatbed printers, AEG says it will be showcasing bespoke industrial printing systems for the first time, although it’s not revealing any details as yet. The company is also unveiling a new version of the Voyager Pro that features a vacuum belt transportation, as opposed to a pinch roll-based system. The Voyager Pro is available in widths of 2,050mm and 3,200mm and has a print resolution of up to 720x2,880dpi, four levels of variable drop size and print speeds of up to 70m2/hr. It can print onto rigid boards up to 50mm thick.

Agfa 6, S60

Agfa is to unveil its new flatbed and roll-to-roll wide-format UV inkjet printers, the Jeti Mira and the Jeti Tauro. The Mira is described as a “true flatbed” although it is available with a ‘dockable’ roll-to-roll option to enable printing on flexible media. The Tauro is a 2.5m-wide hybrid flatbed and roll-to-roll UV inkjet printer. Both devices are equipped with Ricoh’s 7pl Gen 5 printheads and come in a standard six-colour configuration (CMYK, light cyan and light magenta) with optional white, varnish or primer on the Jeti Mira, and optional white, double white or white and primer on the Jeti Tauro.

Atma 8, D25

Taiwanese manufacturer Atma specialises in manufacturing screen printers for various sectors, such as graphic arts printing, industrial decorative printing, glass printing, printed circuits, opto-electronic, bio-technology and solar energy cells. At Fespa it will be launching the AtmaOE 710, a high precision flatbed screen printer available with CCD registration, the AtmaLine CL30 (D) automatic cover lens screen printing line, the AtmaTic MF66/F thin-film screen printer with automatic CCD registration, the AtmaGP 30PP CCD-centred registering screen printer, and an SPS automatic cylinder press.

Canon 9, Y10

Canon says its stand will showcase a completely integrated wide-format graphic arts line-up. The stand will be divided into three themes that Canon has identified as key trends: ‘Retail’, ‘Packaging and promotion’ and ‘Design to manufacture’. Centre stage will be the Océ ColorWave 700, launched in February, which offers “excellent flexibility” as it can print equally well on uncoated, coated and speciality substrates and supports media up to 0.8mm thick. It handles roll widths of between 297mm and 1,067mm and can print at up to 247m²/h. As such it is suitable for a wide range of indoor and short-term outdoor graphics applications including posters, canvas, wallpaper and banner printing. Also on show on the Canon stand will be the latest version of Onyx production tools workflow software.

Dgen 7, H25

Korean specialist textiles kit manufacturer Dgen will be unveiling the Teleios Black G5, the latest extra-wide addition to the firm’s best-selling Teleios wide-format platform. The Teleios Black is available in widths of 1.8m and 2.5m and has a resolution of 1,440dpi and a top speed of 64m2/hr (two-pass mode). The new machine will be on display with the rest of the manufacturer’s G5 line-up.

DP Solutions 6, U14

DP Solutions will be exhibiting the latest addition to its Motionjet Pro range, the Motionjet Pro 810. The Motionjet Pro series is made up of five medium- to large-format flatbed machines designed for digital industrial printing. The new unit has a format size of 810x1,250mm, which slots in at the smaller end of the range. It has 200mm stepless height adjustment, automatic height detection and an optional path measurement system for high-precision printing. DP Solutions says the wide range of inks available for the series make it suitable for a wide variety of applications.

EFI 6, P10

EFI is playing its cards fairly close to its chest regarding its presence in Cologne, but based on previous Fespas there’s a strong chance there might be some new products on its stand in Hall 6. However, confirmed star attractions are its flagship Vutek HS100 Pro with three-quarter automation, a Vutek GS5500LXr running SuperRange inks, a Vutek GS3250LX Pro with UltraDrop Technology and its popular H1625 LED entry-level printer.

Epson 7, K35

Epson has promised two brand new machines in the field of dye-sublimation but is remaining very tight-lipped on the specifics. However, it will be demonstrating its latest textiles printing kit on stand, using machines from its SureColor range of dye-sublimation devices. It will also be offering visitors to the stand interactive step-by-step SureColor SC-F7100 training in augmented reality using Epson’s Moverio BT-200 smart glasses and app developed by Israeli firm FieldBit.

ESC 8, D25/B20

German screen printing kit specialist ESC will be launching in Europe the ESC-branded version of the AtmaTic MF66/F machine developed by Taiwanese manufacturer Atma. The AtmaTic is a high-precision screen printer with automated CCD registration for thin film applications. 

Exile Technologies 8, E76

Exile Technologies will be showing its Spyder 2 Direct to Screen (DTS) printing system for the first time in Europe. The Spyder 2 DTS has a completely redesigned printhead control system and a new touchscreen interface. Exile has also rewritten the control software for the printer to improve ease of use. It has also added support for more print modes; 400dpi, 600dpi, 900dpi, 1,000dpi and 1,200dpi resolutions are all supported and bi-directional printing has been implemented so that the Spyder will now print twice as fast with no loss of image quality. This means that a typical t-shirt image can now be produced in under a minute. The upgrades can also be field-installed on existing Spyder machines. Also new to Europe is Exile’s Sharp SSi UV exposure system designed to complement the Spyder 2 DTS system. Sharp SSi uses ‘Collimated Solid State Optics’ to produce a high-quality UV light source that is aimed directly at the screen stencil as it moves under the optical array. The light hits the screen at a true 90° angle ≤+3%), which produces better edge definition and a wider exposure latitude for more consistent results. The screen is automatically moved under the light source using a belt feed, which is activated automatically once the screen is placed on the belt. As the system uses no vacuum and has no warm-up time the exposure can match the fast imaging times of the Spyder.

Fujifilm 6, S9

The Fujifilm stand will put the recently launched Inca Digital Onset R40LT in the spotlight. The flatbed UV wide-format printer, which was launched in January, is the latest and most affordable machine based on Inca’s Onset R40i platform. Fuji says the full-width array machine’s scalability makes it a versatile, future-proofed option. The R40LT can be supplied as a four-channel 265m2/hr device, but can be upgraded to an eight-channel, 400m2/hr machine. It has a print size of 3.1x1.6m and can print on substrates of up to 50mm thick at speeds equivalent to 40 full-bed sph. It features 14pl Fujifilm Dimatix Spectra printheads, a 15-zone vacuum table, a UV sensor system and mechanical substrate height detectors. Fuji will also be showing a new 25-zone vacuum table for the Onset platform.

Gandy Digital 7, M26

Wide-format equipment manufacturer Gandy Digital will launch its Pred8tor+ high-adhesion UV ink and a new UV flatbed printer. The manufacturer said the ink will enable increased productivity and the production of a wide range of durable and profitable indoor and outdoor large-format applications. The ink, which is suitable for flat and roll-fed signage and graphics printed onto acrylic and corrugated plastic, is said to minimise print cracking caused by graphic transportation. The company is also planning to unveil a new UV flatbed printer at the show. Although few details about the machine have been released so far, Gandy said it will offer high production flexibility through multiple speed and colour configurations, which will enable customers to significantly increase their productivity and profitability.

HP 9, V10

The big focus of the HP stand will, of course, be the manufacturer’s new family of high-speeed, large-format PageWide XL printers. But other star attractions will be the recently announced HP Scitex 11000 Industrial Press and HP Scitex FB750 Printer. Other products on display will include the HP Latex 3000, 310, 330 and 360 Printers and the HP Designjet Z6800 Printer. In addition, the HP stand will feature various display walls and examples of flexible and rigid applications..

Impression Technology Europe 8, E32

Impression Technology Europe will be launching a new machine from direct-to-garment specialist DTG Digital. The M6 is designed for multiple garment prints and fashion panel decoration and joins the existing machines in the DTG M series, the M4 and the M2. It features a dual four-colour ink system and can use a variety of ink types for a broader range of applications: pigment inks for cotton, viscose, polyester, etc; dye-sublimation inks for printing direct to stretchable fabrics with a wide colour gamut; and reactive inks for printing on delicate fabrics such as silk or wool. The M6 supports common panel sizes up to 1,100x980mm. Fabrics can be decorated at a little under 10m2/hr. The printhead can deliver a drop size of between 3.5pl, for fine detail, and 48pl, for rapid production with penetration. Impression Technology says the M6 is “powerhouse in production” and that the device’s high-volume ink tanks can print “all shift” without needing to be replenished.

Industrial Inkjet 6, U98

Industrial Inkjet (IIJ) is to unveil its latest system, the XYPrint 300, for the first time at the show. The XYPrint 300 is a high-accuracy inkjet system intended for process development, print research, direct product decoration, additive manufacturing and low-volume production. The new system will be demonstrated live on its stand. The device replaces the company’s previous model, the XYPrint 200 and according to the manufacturer is “twice as fast and even more accurate and flexible”. New features include a granite bed to ensure accuracy and stability, a reinforced structure to minimise vibration, scan speeds of 0-1.2m/second minimum and mounting for up to 10 printheads inline. As with all IIJ’s machines, the XYPrint 300 is fitted with Konica Minolta printheads.

InkTec 6, S50

Korean manufacturer InkTec will launch its new superwide device, the 5m UV roll-to-roll Jetrix RX5000. It follows the launch of the company’s first superwide device, the 3.2m RX3200, in January. Like the RX3200, the RX5000 is equipped with 16 Konica Minolta KM series 14pl printheads and is available in four-colour (four printheads per colour) and eight-colour (two printheads each: CMYK, light cyan, light magenta, light yellow and light black) configurations. Maximum print resolution is 1,440dpi while output speed ranges from 36m2/hour in highest quality mode to 255m2/hr in maximum productivity mode, for the four-colour device (the eight-colour machine is approximately 40% slower). Furthermore, the machine will also feature a winding system for heavy media and an option to load multiple rolls on the feed to print at the same time.

KIP 6, S5

KIP will showcase seven new wide-format colour systems that it says offer “industry-leading print speeds” with high-capacity paper handling and low cost operation, as well as a wide range of features for greater productivity, media versatility, networkability and flexible system configurations. KIP adds that seamless networked production software and dependable cost controls are integrated into every KIP colour series system.

Kornit Digital 8, E8

Kornit Digital will put the spotlight on mass customisation at this year’s exhibition. The company will emphasise its advanced multi-fabric solutions for digital textile printing with demonstrations of its new Allegro 1.8m roll-to-roll printer, alongside its six-colour-plus-white Avalanche Hexa, and other key products from its portfolio of direct-to-garment systems. These are complemented by the presence of the Paradigm II digital add-on solution for screen-printers.

Mimaki 6, T11

On the Mimaki stand, the newest member of the manufacturer’s product portfolio, the CFL-605RT compact flatbed cutter, will be exhibited running at full speed. The new machine, which was unveiled in March, offers both creasing and cutting and enables operations to create and deliver high-quality, cost-effective designs – smoothly and quickly. The manufacturer says it will have other product launches, but will not release details ahead of the show.

MS Printing Solutions 7, G10

Italian equipment manufacturer MS Printing Solutions, a specialist in the textiles field, will unveil its latest entry-level plotter, the MS-JP3, to the marketplace. The MS-JP3 will be shown alongside its bigger siblings, the MS-JP4 and MS-JP7.

Mutoh 6, T30

Mutoh will be unveiling its latest dye-sublimation printer, the DrafStation RJ-900XG. This new 42in-wide CMYK high-quality device is available now and according to the manufacturer will fit the needs of start-up and established businesses wanting to extend their product portfolio with digital transfer applications. The new RJ-900XG is suited for volume production runs as well as short runs of sublimated graphics including banners, flags, soft signage, interior decoration, sportswear and transfer onto all kinds of objects (mugs, cups, mouse pads, etc). Mutoh says there will be other launches but is playing its cards close to its chest on the details.

NoeCha 9, X90

Italian manufacturer NoeCha will be showing the NoeCha1, its new wide-format UV-LED industrial digital press. The company says the NoeCha1 delivers outstanding quality at production speeds. The machine was designed for the graphic arts market, POS display sector as well as for particular industrial applications. It is equipped with a “revolutionary” printing engine offering a native resolution of 600dpi with up to four greyscale levels, controlling the drop size from 3pl to 14pl. The 3.2x2m vacuum table offers the possibility to print on any type of material, including temperature-sensitive ones thanks to the new UV-LED cool curing system. The machine is available in various configurations and is upgradable from one to another. The optional automatic feeder and stacker system increases the throughput of the machine.

Reggiani Macchine 7, G20

Reggiani Macchine will show its latest printer in the ReNoir range, the ReNoir One, designed for sublimation printing on paper and also for direct printing on fabric. The company says this compact machine is particularly well suited to sportswear and fashion applications. The 1.8m-wide printer is available with between two and eight printheads and has a print speed of over 320m2/hr with a resolution of 2,400dpi.

Roland DG 6, Q15

Alongside its full range of wide-format printers and printer-cutters, Roland DG will be showing its new Texart CS-64 calendar press, which is designed to partner the manufacturer’s Texart RT-640 dye-sublimation printer. The Texart CS-64 can transfer sublimation print produced by the Texart RT-640 at high speed onto polyester-based materials used for flags, banners, soft signage displays, fabric for fashion and sports clothes. The company said the machine “represents a very accessible investment opportunity for any company looking to profit from the growth in demand for printed textile products”. The CS-64 uses a precision roller feed system and digitally regulated, infra-red heat to transfer dye-sublimation print onto fabrics. With production speeds of 50m2/hr and the option of an in-feed table, the CS-64 can handle both large roll volumes and small pre-cut fabric jobs.

Screen Europe 6, U20

The highlight of the Screen Europe stand will be the company’s Truepress Jet W3200HS UV flatbed printer in a brand new configuration. For the first time the machine will be shown equipped with a 3.2m-wide roll-to-roll option, which boosts the versatility of the W3200UV and enables it to handle a wider variety of materials. A joint development between Screen and subsidiary Inca Digital, the W3200UV is a six-colour-plus-white device designed to meet the demands of the POS, signage and decor markets. It can print onto media of up to 3.2x1.6m in size and up to a maximum 50mm thickness. It has a top speed of 150m2/hr. Screen says that it will be using the machine at the show to print a wide range of challenging graphics so visitors can see the printer’s ability to produce smooth tints, vivid colours and sharp 4pt text. 

Seiko Instruments 6, P60

Seiko Instruments will present the the latest model in its H-Series, the 104in-wide ColorPainter printer. The device shares many features with the manufacturer’s M-64s, including using Seiko’s SX inks. 

SHM International 8, B14

Chinese manufacturer SHM International will be showing its Atom TC-105 screen press in Europe for the first time. The press, which was announced at the end of last year, is a highly automated, high-throughput device capable of producing up to 4,200sph, which SHM claims is faster than any comparable device. The press uses conventional stop cylinder technology and is equipped with heavy pneumatic squeegee system. The company says it is suitable for printing on a wide range of materials, including ceramic and glass, POS, packaging and textiles.

SwissQprint 6, Q27

SwissQprint will launch two new UV large-format printers, the Oryx 2 and Impala 2, which complete the manufacturer’s line-up of second-generation models. The machines benefit from a 25% larger bed size than the previous versions, at 2.5x2m. Both devices are modular. The Oryx 2 is the entry-level option with a print speed of 65m2/hr, while the Impala 2 is upgradeable with additional printheads and can print at up to 180m2/hr. Options include roll-to-roll and board handling as well as additional colours. The new devices use Konica Minolta 1024 printheads for enhanced productivity. The Impala 2 can be fitted with the KM 1024i heads as an option.

Thieme 6, T82

Thieme will be showing a new digital printing system for producing flexible membrane switch graphic overlays. Thieme says the process includes a tested combination of special membranes, digital printing inks and screen printing inks. The new system can be built around one of Thieme’s established printing platforms, to match the customer’s individual requirements, including the Thieme 3020 D and Thieme 500 D digital printing machines and Thieme 3000 screen printing machines.