Technology
News on Digital Print Technology
| Saturday, 01 November 2008 12:59 |
The Power of ThreeOn the heels of the high-speed EFI Vutek DS Series flatbeds comes the HP Scitex FB7500 and Inca Digital’s Onset S20. So there must be scope for more high-volume digital wide-format output…“Machines of this build type and quality will certainly find their way into the market and, once there, they will become mainstays.” If three leading, competitive companies can all decide at roughly the same time that there is a demand for high-speed wide-format digital throughput, then it must be true. Following the announcement of the EFI Vutek DS Series, two other major manufacturers have also been beavering away behind the scenes to bring out printers targeting similar market areas. The common theme with this trio of companies is that each believes that screen-printing of point-of-purchase and much advertising work is ripe for digital conversion. Each believes that the dynamics available in today’s technology are impacting on the screen process and directing production more into specialist applications where digital waits with open arms. With wide-format digital production, we are now seeing far more complex concepts and campaigns allied to lower volumes and personalisation. But inkjet is also finding strong markets where mid-sized run lengths are required. If you use both screen-printing and digital machines you know you have your own set of criteria to decide which print method is going to be employed on a particular order. Indeed, some applications might well be produced using a variety of production methods but, to all intents and purposes, there’s no reason why the end customer should get involved in how their job is the output. The analogue to digital conversion, particularly in the higher-volume display market, is likely to see a later transition than other areas within the printing industry. There are many applications where the nature of a job decrees that digital won’t be a suitable process. Obvious examples include those that use special colours or types of ink, and might even involve the use of fluids which cannot be used with an inkjet machine. Companies likely to invest in high-speed flatbed inkjet systems will be those that want to increase their run lengths yet glean the benefits which only digital can provide in terms of fast turnaround, versatility and fully computerised, chemistry-free production. In many ways, the type of high-end technology being introduced today will complement the screen process rather than remove it completely. Jobs which still can only be produced using screen-printing methods will stick out like sore thumb; there might be relatively fewer of them these days, but their value will remain until special effects and, sometimes, price advantages can be accommodated by alternative production methods. A recent visit to the EFI Vutek facility in Meredith, New Hampshire, to witness some early production from its latest flatbed printer, proves this is an ambitious machine. It comes from a serious, sensible company with a strong worldwide customer base along with many years of experience in solvent-based and UV-curable printing solutions. However, it’s not a one-pony race. Two other manufacturers are chasing down the same path as EFI Vutek with its DS Series. And if any two companies are likely to be doing this, the chances are it’s HP and Inca Digital. Both these players are launching high-speed industrial strength flatbed printers, with HP having announced its HP Scitex FB7500 in mid-October, whilst Inca Digital more recently went public with the Onset S20. In terms of economy, when all three of these machines were in the early planning and development stages, no-one would have dreamed that banks and financial institutions would be collapsing around our ears but, nonetheless, even the worst of worldwide recessions won’t take away the need for fast production options. Looking first at the HP Scitex FB7500, this comes from a company whose experience of wide-format inkjet has been enhanced considerably by the acquisitions it’s made during the past few years. For HP, the development of this printer gives it the opportunity, finally, to bring its X2 MEMS printheads into real-time production. Initially being offered as a six-colour machine, the FB7500 will have the ability to be upgraded to accommodate white and varnish. Unusually, perhaps, its estimated price of $1.4 million includes the same levels of automated loading and off-loading as would be found on a three-quarters automatic screen-printing press. This has proved to be the most popular option for sensible handling of different stocks, sizes and weights, along with a variety of run lengths. The HP Scitex FB7500 is certainly a new concept in high-speed production but it’s founded on strong technology that has been drawn in from all sides, including of course HP’s acquisitions of Scitex Vision and NUR. It’s configuring this new printer to produce 105 2.4 x 1.2 sheets/hour and there are also very respectable speeds which can be generated for results needing finer dots for closer viewing. The bed size of this unit is 1.65 x 3.2m and the gantry features a wide array of X2 heads but, although the heads are new, the array and printing concept is based on the proven TJ series. HP has opted, like Inca Digital, to print along the short side rather than the long side, as favoured by EFI Vutek’s DS. Inca Digital’s pedigree differs from both that of HP and of EFI Vutek. Although it’s been owned by Dainippon Screen Manufacturing since 2005, it’s really been business as usual for the Cambridge-based manufacturer. Although the Onset has been a success in installation terms, overall this machine will never sell in tens of thousands because there simply isn’t a vast market demand for such a heavyweight device. Inca Digital would be the first to acknowledge that not every company has either the budget or the space to accommodate a system of such gargantuan proportions and fast throughput. Its latest concept should appeal to Inca devotees who want industrial-strength production capabilities but can’t justify investing in an Onset. In common with HP, the Onset S20 benefits from features that have already proved their value in other printers within its own stable. Inca has configured the Dimatix Spectra printheads on a full print width colour bar with a 28 picolitre drop size and, in combination with Inca’s own print module technology and motion systems, this results in precise ink drop placement. The output from the Onset S20 has an optimum size of 3.2 x 1.6m and, not surprisingly, Inca Digital has designed it to print across the short side of the material. At the time of writing, there is no given price for the Onset S20 which will, as normal, be marketed via Fujifilm Sericol’s channels. However, the specification looks as though it meets both the HP FB7500 and the Vutek DS square on. As such, price is likely to be competitive. Ultimately choice will depend on two things — availability for those wanting to buy sooner rather than later or manufacturer and supplier preference. In last month’s Image Reports EFI Vutek DS Series was covered in fairly close detail but, to recap, this machine is designed for a maximum print speed of 557m2/h. The actual speed of the Inca Digital Onset S20s hasn’t been revealed but, if it’s anything like the Onset major, in real terms its production rates might well turn out to be even faster than the quoted specified maximums. For the HP Scitex FB7500 we’re looking at more than 500m2/h in its Express mode although the company says its comparable net print speeds have shown higher rates than this. As far as shipping is concerned, HP Scitex and Inca Digital are both stating Q1 2009, with the EFI Vutek’s DS being targeted for Q2. But, as we all know, dates have a habit of sliding about and, particularly with machines of this complexity, they need to be absolutely right before coming to market as production models. One wonders, had there been either a Drupa or a mainstream FESPA in 2009, if these three manufacturers would all have waited to announce their new machines at the same trade events. Clearly, the DS Series was in early stages of development when it was first viewed as a prototype back in June. Both HP and Inca Digital have waited until the autumn to announce their latest printers and, in European terms there are only local trade shows where they could be introduced - there is certainly no relevant event taking place in the UK. Machines of this build type and quality will certainly find their way into the market and, once there, they will become mainstays. Undoubtedly they will become the accepted norm for higher-end production but it is likely that, for the time being, there may well be lower demand than would have been the case were the economy more buoyant. EFI Vutek, HP Scitex and Inca Digital, however, all have excellent histories for the longevity of most of their wide-format print offerings. If these three companies have done their groundwork, this latest trio of UV-curable flatbed options will be available for some years to come offering, as they do, what seems to be the ultimate in terms of cost, speed, quality and usability. 
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