PrintWeek India’s pick of wide-format products at Drupa - Part one

Pre-media

Esko
Hall 8b, Stand A23
On display on Esko’s stand will be an array of software solutions addressing packaging artwork, design and pre-press, colour management, workflow automation and process integration. With the introduction of Suite 12, a major update release of Esko’s workflow software offering for the packaging, label, sign making and display industries, the focus is on adding value for the user by introducing new productivity and efficiency benefits. Visitors to the stand will learn about Esko’s HD Flexo technology.

Fujifilm
Hall 8b, Stand A25-1 and A25-3
The company will showcase its XMF ColorPath, a cloud-based colour calibration system designed to help maintain consistent colour standards. XMF ColorPath aims to help printers reduce waste by ensuring colour is correct before printing begins, through press calibration, and by continually monitoring colour during printing. When used with Fujifilm’s ‘Pro-File’ brand of screen and UV inkjet inks, which have been optimised to facilitate cross-process colour control, the company says printers with both screen and wide-format equipment have a “simple and reliable way” of managing compliance to target printing standards.

GMG
Hall 4, Stand B25/Hall 7, Stand B11
The company will showcase the Fespa-launched ProductionSuite, which it claims to be the “most comprehensive production solution on the market” for the sector. The modular system includes SmartProfiler, which can identically align several printers of similar type and enables precision processing of spot colours; RIP, which runs independently from the Editor; and PrintStation, which can combine individual jobs to ensure optimum material use and cutting sequences. All of these elements are fully connected to each other for a seamless automated workflow. The company’s range of colour management software will also be on show.

HP
Hall 7a, Stand E7
HP will highlight its new cloud-based SmartStream Production Analyser tool for its FB7500 and FB7600 industrial flatbed printers. The SmartStream software enables customers to view realtime production information on each machine they run, as well as historical reports on press usage. This allows the operator to analyse ink, media and waste consumption.

Post-press

Esko
Hall 8b, Stand A23
Esko says the digital finishing highlight of the stand will be the new Kongsberg XN, a highly versatile and productive digital finishing table that can be configured easily for the widest range of different applications, from kiss-cutting, to packaging mockups to heavy-duty milling. This new table comes equipped with the high power milling spindle, boosting overall milling productivity. In all there will be four Kongsberg configurations on the stand, Esko will be showing the wide range of digital finishing applications in packaging, display and signmaking. Live application demos using a wide range of materials will be run on each of the tables, including the fully automated XP44 Auto. Esko’s integrated software solutions for structural design – ArtiosCAD and digital finishing workflow i-cut Suite – will be present on stand as well.

Zünd
Hall 9, Stand C3
Zünd will present the brand-new S3 line of cutters. With a “revolutionary” direct-drive system, the S3 is built for speed and the company says it excels with unprecedented performance at its pricepoint. The S3 is capable of processing a wide range of materials, including textiles, vinyls, films, thinner plastics, and cardboard, with smaller, space-saving footprints and ultra-fast Z- and T-axis control. In addition, several monitors will be showing various unique features of the Zünd Cut Center software. Also on show will be the Zünd Board Handling system.

Consumables

Fujifilm
Hall 8b, Stand A25-1 and A25-3
Fujifilm Uvijet branded UV inks will be used on stand and will include a new Uvijet ink specifically developed to support the low energy characteristics of the Acuity LED 1600 printer. The Fujifilm Uvijet range also includes inks that support high adhesion for a diversified range of applications, a flexible ink, which exhibits excellent performance in post press operations, and a highly ductile and super-flexible ink for decorated forming. Fujifilm says it will make additional announcements in these areas in the run up to the show.

Inx Digital International
Hall 3, Stand A50
This year’s Drupa will mark the first time Inx Digital, Inx International Ink and parent company to both Sakata INX will all be on the same stand. Susie Mendelssohn, international marketing manager for Inx Digital International, explained that this move would strengthen the digital ink offering of all three companies.

Must see

Fujifilm Acuity LED 1600

Fujifilm will showcase its new UV printer, the Acuity LED 1600, which emits no VOCs, at this May’s show.The eight-colour printer, which was unveiled in September, can print at resolutions of up to 1,200dpi and, according to the manufacturer, has attracted significant interest from UK customers since its launch.It offers production speeds of up to 20m2/hr for applications such as posters and POS materials.
Fujifilm is targeting the 1,610mm-wide Acuity LED 1600 at companies producing short-run print jobs, such as window displays. The company is keen to stress that the UV-curable inks the machine uses emits no VOCs.
According to Fujifilm, these inks have fast-drying properties on a broad range of substrates such as PET, acrylic and polycarbonate.
Graham Leeson, marketing communications manager of graphic systems at Fufifilm, said the combination of quality and productivity puts the LED 1600 at “the forefront” of development.
He said: “This new machine features the latest advances in LED UV technology, so we will be putting it through its paces to demonstrate its quality, performance and versatility.”