At drupa 2012, in addition to a series of previously announced innovations, Fujifilm launched the Uvistar Pro8 wide-format printer. The company also unveiled a new inkjet web press and, in cooperation with Inca, enhancements to the Onset S40 platform. Fujifilm also introduced a new surface treatment technology, called MultiGrain Z, that is to be used in the manufacture of its processless printing plate.
Adding to its series of Uvistar wide-format printers, Fujifilm describes the new Uvistar Pro8 as being particularly well suited to produce applications for both display POP and outdoor advertising markets on flexible and rigid media. The Uvistar Pro8 platform includes a set of light colours within the ink set based on what the company calls Parallel Drop Size (PDS) technology. This system, using Fujifilm’s brand new Uvijet QN inks, allows the Uvistar Pro8 to produce high-quality display graphics at speeds in excess of 300 m2/hour.
Other improvements to the Uvistar design include: an auto media handling system for rigid media; an automated backlit printing option; the ability to switch between 4- and 8-colour printing modes, and a new operator interface.
In addition to Fujifilm’s earlier announced sheetfed Jet Press models, the company announced plans to launch a new inkjet web press that enables duplex printing within a single tower design. The company explains this design results in an extremely compact footprint, while retaining a maximum printing speed of 127 metres per minute.
The inkjet web press uses Fujifilm’s new VIVIDIA ink, which has been engineered to produce high-density images at high speed, with less ink transfer from sheet to sheet. A variety of ink types, including both pigment and dye-based inks, have been developed for use with this press.
In cooperation with Inca Digital, Fujifilm unveiled the Inca Onset S40i flatbed UV inkjet printer, shown for the first time at drupa 2012. The Inca Onset S40i uses 168 new-generation, user-replaceable print heads (28 per colour) on a full-width print array, delivering a 28 picolitre drop size. This latest Onset machine features reduced bed masking: A new 15-zone vacuum table reduces bed masking requirements for substrates thinner than 3 mm.
The Onset S40i also includes a new UV sensor system that constantly monitors the machine condition and informs the operator when automatic cleaning of the print heads is required. It also includes a new substrate height detector.
At drupa, Fujifilm also announced a new surface treatment technology called MultiGrain Z that will be used in the manufacture of its processless printing plate. This new manufacturing process, unique to Fujifilm, allows for more effective surface area of the plate, which the company states is to result in up to a 50 percent improvement in run length for its new Brillia HD PRO-T3 processless plate. This new plate manufacturing will be implemented in 2013.
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