Durst has introduced the P5 350 HS, a high end variant of its 3.5m hybrid LED UV-curing printer, with full automation options, plus new inks and workflow integration options for non-Durst hardware.
The latest addition to its P5 family of hybrid wide-format printers launched in 2018, the P5 350 HS (for high speed) variant has eight printheads per colour channel compared to the four in the standard P5 350 version that made its debut at Fespa 2019. This effectively doubles the print speed at both supported resolutions (700 x 1200 and 900 x 1200dpi), for a top throughput of 650sqm/hr. Configurations can support up to nine colours, including white and clear varnish.
The print engine speed hike is complemented by Durst’s Automat, a full automation option that supports mixed-size board loading and output stacking, plus a retracting registration table on the input side that allows dual rolls to be left loaded for rapid single operator switching between rigid and roll media. There will also be a three-quarter automation option, with manual loading and automated stacking, and both Automat configurations will be developed for the smaller width Durst models.
Durst has also introduced a new UV-curing ink for use in the P5 350 HS, the other P5 series models and the Rho 512 printers. Called PoP Flexible LED ink, Durst says it offers a wide colour gamut and adhesion characteristics that make it suitable for media from boards and polypropylene to roll materials, with good flexibility for the latter. It is also Greenguard certified.
Via an agreement with wide-format workflow developer Print Factory, Durst’s Workflow will be able to drive non-Durst equipment, enabling owners of mixed vendor wide-format print shops to manage all their output devices from the Durst software. Implementation at customer sites via the Print Factory API will all be done by Durst. The company’s Smart Shop web-to-print software can also be used to send user-created jobs to non-Durst prepress/workflow systems and printers.
Michael Deflorian, business development manager Durst Professional Services, said, ‘We’ve been looking for workflow-based software that has a robust, scalable API and allows Durst Workflow users to drive printers of other manufacturers with the same software. It’s not just about having a smooth workflow, it’s about finding affordable software and hardware that can support a growing business. Our customers choose Durst for the long term. Software that we recommend has to deliver on a promise of quality and reliability, and PrintFactory meets these criteria.’
The P5 350 HS is expected to ship by the end of Q1 2021.
