Fespa 2019: EFI plugs portfolio gap with second flatbed

EFI has used Fespa as the global launch pad for its second ‘true' flatbed. The machine was showcased during Fespa 2019, held at Munich, Germany from 14 to 17 May. The 3x2m LED UV EFI Pro 30f features six channels, CMYK plus double hit white, running 12 Ricoh Gen 5 UltraDropprintheads with variable drop size of 7-12 picolitres. It is capable of 210-sqm/hr.

17 May 2019 | By Rahul Kumar

Sitting above the Pro 24f in EFI’s portfolio, offering almost double its smaller sibling’s productivity and bed size, it also offers twice the maximum media height at 100-mm. “That significantly broadens the application range, particularly in terms of the industrial applications out there,” said Ken Hanulec, vice-president of marketing for inkjet, EFI.

The Pro 30f is the first launch since CEO Bill Muir highlighted earlier this year that he wanted EFI to plug some of the gaps in its high-end product portfolio. “If you look at our portfolio, from USD 100,000 to a couple of million dollars with Nozomi, there really are very few gaps, but this was one,” said Hanulec.

While he conceded that that the 3x2-m production flatbed market was fairly congested, he said he was confident that along with the machine’s performance EFI’s strength in offering customers a full eco-system, from workflow to hardware and inks, would be its key draw. “There are players in the market, clearly, but we’re excited to bring the Pro 30f and we’re expecting big things,” said Hanulec. “We believe the value in the Pro 30f is the sum of its parts.”