Electronics For Imaging has announced new EFI Vutek h3+ and h5+ hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printers, re-engineered versions of the high-volume, superwide-format hybrid Vutek h series machines to bring enhanced printing and media handling capabilities.
“We are excited to bring these new printers to market,” said Todd Zimmerman, SVP/GM display graphics and OEM ink, EFI. “Vutek printers have more than 300 installations worldwide. The Vutek h+ series answers some of the key pain points for our customers, all while improving ease of use and offering the LED environmentally friendly benefits you expect from EFI Vutek technology.”
Media handling improvements are one of the most notable enhancements with the Vutek h+ series. An upgraded vacuum table allows for better control of thicker media and thin-light-edged materials thanks to double the vacuum strength on the print table. All new media hold-down rollers mount to existing Media Edge Guide (MEG) rails and the spring rollers force media into the vacuum, often eliminating the need for MEG skis entirely. When MEG skis are needed, they are now available in 0.063 in, 0.094 in, and 0.012 in thicknesses.
The Vutek h+ series offers new optional colour configurations tool: CMYKcmyk + W + Clear, CMYK x 2 + 2W, and CMYK x 2 + Clear.
Building on the success of the EFI UltraClear Coat flexible ink introduced for EFI superwide roll-to-roll LED printers, EFI has extended the offering to the Vutek h3+ and h5+ printers. A second clear ink, EFI Vutek Endura Clear, which has a harder surface finish for increased protective qualities, is also now available for the Vutek h3+ and h5+ printers. Both UltraClear Coat and Endura Clear inks can be used for decorative applications as well as for a final protective coating. They print inline, simultaneously with the image, with a gloss or matte finish. In addition to the clear inks, an optional innovative Gloss+ print mode - a new software capability that regulates the curing process - can be used to add a flood or selective gloss effect to prints.
Compatible with the Vutek h+ series printers are the next-generation, LED-curable digital inks that EFI formulated for first- and second-surface interior and exterior and non-backlit and backlit applications where common thermoforming is specified. EFI Transform-TF inks are said to exhibit outstanding elongation characteristics while maintaining excellent adhesion and opacity and provide ideal characteristics for heat bending and routing of acrylic sheets with no chipping or loss of adhesion.
More developments are in the works for Vutek h+ series printers, too. Expected soon is enhanced double-sided printing for high-value block-out applications.
Existing Vutek h3 and h5 printer owners can opt to upgrade their current unit with most of the new enhancements to the Vutek h+ series printers.