Ultrastream concept press in Kodak’s Dayton facility
Digital Printer technical editor Sean Smyth was among the delegates at an analyst event hosted by Kodak at its inkjet facilities in Dayton, Ohio where it provided an update in its inkjet business and technology, including an update on the proposed sale of the business. (http://bit.ly/1UPkQ3y)
While Kodak has not enjoyed the happiest recent years, no-one can fail to be impressed by its technology. Stream continuous inkjet is an elegant solution, delivering very good quality at very high speeds. Kodak estimates it has 10% of the market installs of high speed inkjet presses, but these account for 20% of the output. In terms of systems sales 2015 was the company’s best yet; it sold 16 Prosper machines (another seven were sold but revenue not recognised until after the year end).
At the event it provided a closer look at its next generation inkjet technology, Ultrastream, which was announced earlier this year (http://bit.ly/1UPkGt7).
Ultrastream develops the continuous inkjet process, using a clever electrostatic mechanism that makes the smaller drops print. Each nozzle can deliver 400,000 individual drops per second, which gives very good print quality at speeds up to 300 m/min. Maximum resolution is 600 dpi across the web and up to 1800 dpi in machine direction. Ultrastream uses the same water-based inks as the existing Prosper machines.
The results are very impressive, delivering high density, very smooth tones and sharp text. The drops are beautiful on paper, regular full and round thanks to the primed paper surface immobilising the pigment at the paper surface.
The technology looks to be very competitive in terms of quality and speed, certainly capable of opening new applications that are currently in the heartland of litho and toner.
It will show an Ultrastream narrow web concept machine at drupa, running at 170 m/min. Quality is aimed ‘at sheetfed litho and toner digital presses’ according to sales and business development vice president Eric Owen. The company is looking for partners to bring the system to market and is forecasting this will not be until 2019.
In an update on the sale of the inkjet business the company said that it believes the new owner will be a strategic buyer looking to exploit the fast growing inkjet market. It should provide stability and funds to commercialise the new technology, and bring additional market resources to exploit the currently available products.
