Agfa completes Anapurna hybrid range

Agfa Graphics is adding to its LED UV-curing family of devices with the Anapurna H3200i LED, set to be officially unveiled next month in the US.

The new 3.2m-wide printer, which handles roll as well as rigid media, adds to the existing 2.05m (H2050i) and 2.5m (H2500i) devices in the range and is an extension of the roll-to-roll Anapurna RTR3200i, all of which were launched at Drupa this year. 

The new hybrid device, which uses Agfa’s Asanti workflow,  will be unveiled for the first time at 2016 SGIA Expo in Las Vegas on 14-16 September and ready for shipping by the end of the year, according to the manufacturer. Pricing details were not revealed. 

Agfa Graphics wide-format marketing manager Willy Van Dromme said the latest printer would meet the needs of most customers. 

“This is a belt-driven hybrid machine that handles all types of roll media in a size up to 3.2m, both in a single-roll and a dual-roll configuration, and it also allows for printing on 2mx3m rigids, fed with the long edge first," he said.

"Thanks to the LED UV curing it supports the widest media mix in the market at all print quality levels.”

The H3200i LED uses six 12 picolitre Konica Minolta KM1024i printheads offering cyan, magenta, yellow, black, light cyan and light magenta. In addition the device has two 30 picolitre KM1024i printheads for printing white inline. 

The white ink function includes pre, post and sandwich printing (colour-white-colour), which greatly enhances colour intensity on certain media, according to Agfa. 

Print speeds offered by the Anapurna H3200i LED align with the 2.05m and 2.5m versions (127sqm/hr), although faster printing is possible on this device due to the wider printing path, the manufacturer said. 

The device is also equipped with air-cooled 16W/sqcm LED UV lamps, which allow for printing on heat-sensitive substrates such as styrene, self-adhesive sheets and PVC materials. 

The new 3.2m machine is expected to be a popular choice with clients that print on flexible substrates and papers as well as rigid materials such as wood, glass and plastics, according to the manufacturer.