HP launches FB7600 Industrial Press
The flatbed HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press has been launched with fanfare at the SGIA Expo along with the roll-to-roll 5m XP5500 and 3.2m XP2500.
Though an Upgrade Kit is available to users of the earlier FB7500 the new FB7600 is more than just a new version of its forerunner. At 55 beds per hour, the HP Scitex FB7600 is 15% faster than the FB7500 (optimum speed, 48 beds per hour).
With an edge-to-edge printing feature the newcomer can print sheets up to 3200 x 1650mm (126 x 65in) with full bleeds up to 6.35mm (0.25in). New front-end software features include hot folders for print files, job queuing, and automated file preparation. Minimal operator intervention is required for material handling, too, where an optional multi-sheet loading table enables the simultaneous printing of up to four sheets, enabling PSPS to turnaround large volumes of work faster.
The FB7600 can print on popular plastic and coated materials including PVC, Styrene, PP, PC, PE, PETG, Yupo, and Alu-Dibond. New HP FB225 Scitex inks have been developed to achieve high-quality results on these materials via increased flexibility that greatly reduces chipping and cracking on applications during cutting and folding.
Thinner substrates are also now easier to handle thanks to a new ‘Slow Loading’ feature and a ‘Press Roller’ that helps to flatten media during loading. A ‘Flattening Flexible Media’ feature finally helps to eliminate wrinkles on soft media on the bed, further increasing output quality.
Other new features include double-sided printing, a new saturation control for back-lit displays and the ‘Image-2’ facility. Double-sided printing on the HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press is made simple by the ability to align media either left or right using alignment rulers on both sides of the multi-sheet loading table.
Back-lit applications requiring additional saturation will no longer take additional time to print as a simple adjustment on the press’ user interface to change the saturation percentage will increase ink coverage without any reduction in speed. Up to 200% saturation is possible with this control.
The ability to print two different images in the same job has previously required a second pass through the press. With the Image-2 feature on the HP Scitex FB7600 Industrial Press, two different images using different printing parameter can be printed in a single pass. This could be the addition of a double strike, a 3D effect, application of spot gloss, or other value-adding enhancements.
Those buying a FB7600 have the option of three levels of support that comprises customer resolution tools to enable operators to diagnose issues and resolve them using the Print Care interface.
Image Factory, which installed an HP Scitex FB7500 Industrial Press earlier this year, became a beta site for the HP Scitex FB7600 upgrade and new HP FB225 Scitex ink in August.
“The new features of the FB7600 upgrade make offering both speed and quality at a competitive price possible,” said Tim Boore, head of digital technologies, Image Factory. “The ability to print 55 beds per hour increases productivity without compromising quality. The new edge-to-edge printing feature is fantastic! It saves time, reduces material waste and potential damage during additional finishing processes. The press’ self-diagnostics and new three-minute circulation to clear print heads are other features that have been of huge benefit. While we were pleased with the previous inks, the new FB225 ink is far more flexible and has eliminated the chipping and cracking that could sometimes occur with the gloss settings. ”
The new UV-curable, four-colour XP2500 will print up to 265m2/hr and the XP5500 up to 325m2/hr. Both have a print resolution up to 360dpi and will simultaneously print on up to three rolls.