Inca Digital has announced the Onset X Series flatbed UV printers based on a new common scalable architecture. The platform features a larger 25 zone vacuum table and UV control system to eliminate masking, and a carriage that can incorporate up to 14 ink channels. The range comprises the Onset X1 (560m2/hr,112 full-bed sheets/hr), Onset X2 (725m2/hr, 145 beds/hr) and Onset X3 (900m2/hr, 180 beds/hr).
The speeds and productivity of the Onset X Series printers are dependent on the choice of Fujifilm Dimatix printhead and can be configured to a PSP’s desired quality/speed requirements. Each model can handle substrates in sizes up to 3.22m x 1.6m, and thicknesses up to 50mm. The printers are compatible with different types of automated media handling systems to optimise productivity.
The Onset X1 features eight active channels: four print CMYK and the remainder can be configured as required using a combination of light magenta, light cyan, white and orange (LmLcWO). An additional carriage can be added to scale up to an Onset X2 or X3.
With a second set of CMYK, the Onset X2 delivers higher productivity, and an optional six LmLcWO channels can be populated to add versatility.
The Onset X3 features 3 x CMYK ink channels plus the choice of white or orange, and 14 or 27-picolitre printheads.
“Since 2013 Inca Onset users have benefited from a highly-flexible flatbed UV inkjet production machine that can grow and change with them,” said John Mills, Inca Digital CEO. “The new Onset X Series is designed to remove the traditional compromise of quality and productivity.”
Frequently-used formats can be automatically programmed and stored in a user-generated database, an innovation Inca said can alone increase the Onset X Series’ productivity by up to 20% compared to previous Onset printers.
A patented ‘print-a-shim’ process has been designed to ensure a completely flat table with zero-tolerance. Using the Onset X’s in-built sensor, the ‘print-a-shim’ process measures the profile of the table and defines a contour to create ink shims to produce a completely level platform on which the final table skin is mounted.
For the Onset X Series, Inca has also developed a new GUI - the operator can finalise and initiate jobs, save settings, create print queues and manage and optimise every stage of the print process. Improved off-machine job set-up means that when jobs arrive at the printer, more parameters (substrates, print speed, quality mode, gloss levels, etc) are already defined. Password control and web browser access enable production management to control the decision-making process and amend print queues remotely.
Other new features available across the Onset X Series include a productivity pack incorporating: advanced high-speed shuttering systems that protect printheads from UV damage when printing thick substrates; optional automated substrate cleaning using an adhesive roller system to remove debris and improve up-time; and a new-design roller for corrugated board printing that, in a single pass before printing, presses the substrate onto the vacuum bed to ensure a good contact.
The Onset X Series is available exclusively through Fujifilm. “The launch of Onset X represents the culmination of the combined hardware, ink and application expertise of Fujifilm and Inca Digital over the last 15 years,” said Steve Wood, marketing manager, Fujifilm. “The evolution of the Onset over the last two years has already made it the leading flatbed inkjet production platform, and the launch of the Onset X is only going to make it more attractive for many more print service providers.”