Previously, the biggest digital flatbed machines had only been able to handle 2.2x3.2m sheets.

Productivity is 100 square metres per hour when printing in eight colours, but can be doubled by printing two sets of CMYK.

"It's size and speed are unique," said Lscher JetPrint sales and marketing manager Rolf Bsch.

Bsch said the massive sheet size would be useful for exhibition graphics and industrial applications.

It uses SunJet UV-cured inks and can print onto flexible or rigid substrates up to 80mm thick. Its vacuum bed uses retractable stops for registration.

The current version doesn't have any materials handling but the company is currently looking at stackers and destackers as well as roll-to-roll and roll-to-sheet options for future machines.

Standard colour configurations will be six- or eight-colour. The eight-colour version will include a white ink and light black.

It will cost from 334,000 (500,000) for a basic version.

So far two machines have been sold to undisclosed companies in Switzerland and Germany.

The Swiss company, best known for its thermal platesetters, will be exhibiting the massive machine at Drupa next month.

The firm will also extend its range of platesetters at Drupa with the launch of the Xpose! 190 VLF machine. The 190 has a massive 2,060x1,560mm plate size big enough to accommodate the plates needed by KBA's Rapida 205 sheetfed machine.

Story by Barney Cox