Mimaki 3D printing
The annual wide format event returns this year in Hamburg, where it will once again display wide format printing in all its guises. Michal Lodej looks at what visitors will find.
Everything and anything wide format will be on display in Hamburg from 8-12 May as FESPA returns to Germany. As well as substrates, inks and machinery, visitors will also be given the choice of various seminars to improve their printing knowledge, which this year have been condensed into one seminar theatre. There will be a huge range of different applications being demonstrated at the show, providing food for thought for any printer looking to expand their repertoire or update existing machinery.
Ready to launch
With a pull from all over Europe and beyond FESPA is very much a favourite among wide format manufacturers for launching their latest pieces of kit.
Mimaki (A1-A25) has announced that it will have its biggest presence yet at FESPA this year with two stands totalling 534 sqm, on which it will be demonstrating a wide range of solutions for the sign and display graphics market and industrial print, along with a technology demonstration of a new 3D printing solution. The company will also have a presence in the Textile Hall (Stand B6-C50), demonstrating its long-standing commitment to the textile industry. John de la Roche, national sales manager at Mimaki’s UK and Ireland distributor Hybrid Services, heralds the new announcements: ‘The new products that Mimaki will be showing at FESPA continue to offer exciting breakthrough solutions in all aspects of the printing sector,’ he stated. ‘We look forward to welcoming visitors from the UK and Ireland to the show and demonstrating these brand new technologies.’
Canon (A1-B55) is set to use FESPA to launch its Océ Colorado 1640, the first 64-inch roll-to-roll wide format printer built on Canon’s new UVgel technology. The new Océ Colorado 1640 is said to have a top speed of 159 sqm/hr for applications such as billboards or outdoor banners, and operates at a speed of 40 sqm/hr for higher quality indoor applications (read more here).
This year, Nazdar (B5-B60) will introduce the 130 Series and 183 Series of digital solvent inks, the latest additions to its range of ‘plug and play’ alternatives to OEM inks. According to the company, both series offer exceptional colour and chemistry compatibility, quality and cost effectiveness combined with a seamless conversion process, enabling users to switch one colour at a time to save time and money.
Roland DG (B7-E20) has launched the GR-640/540/420 professional vinyl cutters, the latest additions to its CAMM-1 series. The GR series has been completely redesigned to deliver high cutting quality and productivity with increased accuracy, speed, media versatility and new cutting features. The new ergonomic L-shaped design of the integrated stand and machine provides the stability required to ensure precision cutting even at high speed. The redesigned cutting carriage, blade holder and other core mechanisms enable the machines to achieve a maximum cutting speed of 1485 mm/s and up to 600 g of downforce for cutting through difficult media with a single pass.
Under an umbrella theme of Brighter Ideas Sun Chemical (B5-D20) will be presenting its portfolio of inks and ink chemistry platforms for screen, industrial and inkjet printing and for printed electronics. Stand highlights will include the global launch of FasciaCoat, a new hardcoat varnish for dashboard fascias, and an addition to the SunHytek range of products for high-tech appliance panel and automotive applications. Aqueous, formable and VOC-free, FasciaCoat is a hard varnish that dries to a matte finish, minimising glare, and has the ability to “self-heal” scratches that occur during the production process.
In the stands
Aeoon (B6-A70) will be showing its Compact Series of direct-to-garment printers which can be equipped with four or eight printheads giving a native resolution of 600 dpi via 2558 nozzles. The version with four printheads can print in CMYK on white and light garments. The version with eight printheads can either print double-hit CMYK on light and white garments or in CMYK plus white on every colour, including dark garments. The company’s Kyo Series and PTB Pretreatment Series will also be on display.
Agfa Graphics (B5-E20) will be showing the enhanced range of Anapurna printers with UV LED curing, as well as the new Jeti Ceres, Jeti Tauro H2500 and Jeti Mira models.
Armor (A4-D52) will promote its new business dedicated to the development and production of high quality industrial inks. This is a response to the expanding demands of the market for inks, opening up new applications, including inks for industrial décor intended for printing on glass, for floor coverings or wooden furniture, as well as textiles.
Aslan (A1-C77) will be presenting MirrorEffect AntiScratch SE 75, a reflective scratch-resistant mirror effect film. The company will also be introducing, within the Aslan FerroSoft range, three new, easy-to-apply self-adhesive solutions for the creation of magnetically receptive surfaces – one for printing, one for combining with other self-adhesive films and one readymade whiteboard solution.
Brother (B6-D39) will be showing new tools to support business operations using the Brother GT3 series DTG Printer. The company will show new camera systems and projection tools that help to reduce misprints.
Caldera (B7-C31) will present its colour calibration and profile creation wizard EasyMedia (for Mac) which now supports X-Rite’s all-in-one ColorMunki Design spectrophotometer. This combination, users can coordinate colour management across multiple printers.
Digital Graphics Incorporation (B6-B80) will be displaying its recently developed dye-sub textile printers, models FT-1608 and FT-1908. Additionally, a 124-inch hybrid textile printer, the FT-3204X and a 74-inch dye-sub high-speed textile printer, the HS FT II will be displayed.
Drytac (B7-G3) will be focusing on its range of ReTac solutions and SpotOn and ViziPrint Impress films. ReTac is designed for applications such as custom wall murals, interior décor, retail displays, trade show graphics and textured labels. Suitable for short-term indoor applications, SpotOn is a high-quality, ink-receptive printable vinyl, developed specifically for vibrant, high print quality graphics that require easy application. ViziPrint Impress Clear UV film will also be showcased at the event; PVC-free, 100% recyclable, and resistant to both wear and tear and water, the 100-micron film is ideal for self-adhesive applications on glass and other smooth, flat surfaces.
EFI (E7-B30) will be showing its Vutek 5r and Vutek 3r printers at the show. The new printers are the most technically advanced LED roll-to-roll printers in the company’s portfolio. Designed for high image quality at high throughput, these printers come with a range of options to increase efficiency in the production process. The units offer resolutions up to 1200 dpi and feature native EFI UItraDrop Technology 7-picolitre printheads with true multi-drop addressability for smooth reproduction of shadows, gradients and transitions.
Epson SureColor SC-S80600
Epson (A1-D45) will demonstrate the versatility and efficiency of its latest wide format SureColor SC-S eco-solvent and SC-F dye-sub and direct-to-garment printers. Six different SureColor models will be in action, including the 10-colour 64-inch SureColor SC-S80600, which uses the UltraChrome GS3 ink set, including red, white and metallic for corporate colour matching and high versatility. For durable soft signage and fabric, the SureColor SC-F9200 dye sublimation printer features two high-capacity ink supply systems for longer uninterrupted print runs at resolutions up to 720 x 1440 dpi and at speeds just over 100 sqm/hr. To complement the printers, Onyx and Caldera will both be demonstrating their latest RIP and front-end management software.
Fujifilm (B4L-E35) will be holding an exclusive technology preview for a new modular in-line flatbed production system that, according to the company, has no like-for-like equivalent on the market and will fill a much needed gap. Built on UV technology, this fixed B1 format device will offer ultra-high print quality and high productivity at an accessible price point.
Industrial Tooling (B7-A25) will share a stand with its Swiss partner Easy-2-Trade and will demonstrate the Bullmer digital cutting table. The compact cutting table will be used to cut, mark and carve a complete range of sign making, print and packaging industry materials.
Guandong (A1-B66) returns to FESPA with its wide range of materials for window graphics, wall graphics, floor graphics and lighting, which can be used to help transform retail and contract spaces, exhibition stands, corporate, public and residential spaces from floor to ceiling.
Elitron (A1 – D55) will be showing its Heleva smart feeder for large format digital printers. The feeder automates the printers’ loading process, increasing overall productivity and improve quality standards.
Taking centre stage on the Inca (A4-D51) stand will be the latest version of the SpyderX – a flatbed machine with the added functionality of roll-to-roll printing. Originally featuring a 3.2 x 1.6 m print area, the new SpyderX now features a 3.2 x 2 m flatbed as well as roll-to-roll printing capabilities.
Massivit 3D (A4 – C20) is set to demonstrate the versatility of its large-format 3D printing technology. Using the flagship Massivit 1800 3D Printer, sign and display print providers can produce a range of applications including striking advertising campaigns, stunning retail displays and engaging bus wraps.
Ricoh Pro L4100
Ricoh (B4-C10) will show its range of wide format, large-format and flatbed devices, supported by a dedicated suite of software solutions. There will also be direct-to-garment print solutions from Anajet, a Ricoh company. On show will be the Ricoh Pro L4160 latex large format printer, an eco-friendly green technology based on Ricoh’s own non-solvent aqueous resin inks. The Pro L4100 series features the latest generation of Ricoh’s own piezo variable drop print heads; these deliver latex ink droplets as small as 4 picolitres and offer durable printing for outdoor and indoor applications.
Read the full April issue online here
