Fujifilm has a new thermo forming UV-cured inkjet ink, called Uvijet KV, aimed at light industrial applications. It has been developed specifically for use with the company’s mid-range flatbed printers, the Acuity Advance Select and Acuity Advance Select HS.
This inkjet set can be used in conjunction with Fujifilm’s UV-cured screen white, Omniplus UL.
“Uvijet KV ink is extremely flexible so that it can heat and cool without cracking or flaking. Other UV-cured digital inks simply would not be able to achieve this level of flexibility,” said Mike Battersby, marketing manager, large-format at Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems. “Thermo forming is an ever more popular process in industrial applications, with a variety of plastics being used. Typical substrates that could be printed include polystyrene and PETG, both of which mould easily into new shapes when hot. We are very excited about the new ink, as it opens up new business opportunities for our prospects and customers.”
Once the printing of a flat plastic sheet is completed, it is removed to a mould where it is heated up to take on the shape of the mould, and then cooled. The Uvijet KV ink has elongation properties of 300-400% when heated, returning to a ‘normal’ state when cool.
Battersby added: “Large-format printing has for some time been expanding away from the ‘traditional’ graphics markets, so we’ve been using our extensive ink and application knowledge to develop solutions which allow these systems to be used for different light industrial applications. The use of inkjet printing in thermo forming is not well established, but there is an opportunity for early adopters to use their creativity and innovation to open up and develop exciting new markets.”
Tismo Products BV in The Netherlands has been one of the early adopters of this technology. Co-owner, Jeroen Maessen, said: “I have been particularly impressed by the print quality that we have been able to achieve with the Acuity Select 4006 and the thermo forming properties of Uvijet KV. We have plans to bring these benefits to market in a new concept based around the personalisation characteristics of a digital solution.”
Uvijet KV ink is commercially available as of now, and can be seen on Fujifilm stands at InPrint and Fespa Digital.