Inkjet Wholesale News aims to provide updates on the latest significant occurrences in the field of printing. Whether it’s the launch of a new technology or volatility of market prices, we’ll be here to give you the lowdown on what happened, when it happened, and what it means!
Kodak ULTRASTREAM Technology Print Heads Announced; Will Look for OEM Partners to Re-Enter Wide Format Printer Market
The bar for quality in inkjet printing has been raised and what may surprise a few people is that the firm behind it is Kodak. Kodak has done this by introducing a more advanced variety of print heads. Dubbed as Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology, the new fourth generation print heads will be showcased at Drupa 2016 which begins in Düsseldorf, Germany at the end of next month.
Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology is important because it makes inkjet printing technology relevant in the field of commercial printing and packaging. In fact, with the Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology, inkjet printing could become a part of the mainstream in industries that require such print quality.
The prime draw of the Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology is that it typifies the natural progression or evolution of inkjet technology. The Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology can be highlighted by more detailed definition of images, cleaner lines, higher resolution through more precise placement of drops, and significantly smaller drop sizes. The technology is a result of further development of Kodak’s existing continuous Inkjet Stream technology.
Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology comprises a high resolution writing system that is built around a modular print head. The modular print head, itself, can be utilised in a wide range of width starting from mere 8 inches and going up to 97 inches. Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology makes printing speeds up to 150 metres per minute possible while maintaining a high resolution of 600 dpi x 1800 dpi on multiple paper and plastic based substrates.
Furthermore, it is also possible for the multiple print heads to be deployed on a moving carriage with the Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology, which means that this new technology has relevance in wide format printing also. This technology will be supplemented with the company’s micro milled nano particulate inks. These inks have the potential to not only deliver a colour gamut 30 percent wider than standards but also beyond owing to the possible future development of the technology.
Even more significant is that potential users will be able to combine Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology with Kodak’s much appreciated Digital Front End or DFE solution. The DFE solution is specifically designed for commercial printing since it facilitates the integration of inkjet printing in existing workflows.
The market that the company is targeting with the Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology consists of service providers that utilise application based production systems and are looking for superior image quality.
At Drupa 2016, the Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology will be displayed in an 8 inch configuration. This means that the machine it will be deployed on will be a narrow web press designed for small format printing or labelling applications. The objective behind such a narrow configuration being used is that Kodak wants to display high resolution output of the Kodak ULTRASTREAM technology.
It is expected that Kodak will be using its display at Drupa 2016 to gain partnerships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). This will allow the company to re – enter the world of wide format printing without being fully committed to it. Notably, the company’s President of Inkjet Enterprise Systems, Philip Cullimore admitted as much by saying, “… our model is to work with OEMs in the market.”
Acuity Select 20 Series Introduced by Fujifilm
Fujifilm has announced the launching of the new Acuity Select 20 series of printers that will directly replace the Acuity Advance Select series of printers. While the older series of printers will be discontinued, the OEM has revealed that one printer model – Acuity Advance Select HS – will still be offered to potential buyers. The new series, as per the announcement, will have all the advantages of Fujifilm Acuity UV flatbed printer series.
The new printer series that consists of eight new printer models will boast of a number of features. The print speed of the newer models will go up to 33.6 square metres per hour. Furthermore, these printer models can maintain photographic image quality despite supporting substrates with thickness up to 50.8 mm.
One of the features that help these printer models produce near photographic quality images is the availability of light cyan and light magenta colours. The addition of these new colours means that the Acuity Select 20 series of printers is available in three channel variations, namely four, six, and eight.
This is, in fact, the primary advantage that the new series has over the older one. According to the OEM, the addition of these light colours makes the new printer models suitable even for fine art and photographic work.
The variation available in this new series extends to bed sizes as well. The bed sizes that the Acuity Select 20 series of printers can be had in include 2.5 x 1.25 metres (standard) and 2.5 metres x 3.08 metres (X2). Both these bed size options can be supplemented with a roll.
The ultraviolet lamp technology of these printers has also been enhanced while a pneumatic pin registration system has been introduced into the mix. The enhanced UV lamp technology allows for thinner media to be used by the pin registration system makes loading media quicker and easier.
Users can also opt for an automated print head maintenance system if they’re particular about high levels of productivity. Moreover, the new Fujifilm Acuity Select 20 series has also been given a high pressure vacuum system that is more accomplished than the one installed in the previous series.
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