Scodix S74

Unique applications will be expected to boost the segment through metitculous targetting of the Indian wedding industry, photo album, book cover, greeting card and packaging markets.

10 Oct 2012 | By Sachin Shardul

The Israel-based Scodix is a provider of digital print enhancements for the graphic arts industry, as was evident at Drupa, the kit provides solutions for special effects. Scodix launched its S Series S74 representing sheet size format 74cm wide (29inch) during Drupa. The Scodix S digital press series that creates “a tangible Scodix Sense experience” uses advanced jetting block and multiple independently controlled inkjet nozzles that delivers Scodix’s proprietary PolySense clear polymer in small drops and multiple layers.

T P Jain, managing director of Monotech Systems, the Indian representative for Scodix, says, “As a stand-alone solution compatible with offset, laminated sheets and digital print feeds, the press automatically processes a wide range of substrates and formats.”
The S74 is capable of handling substrates having weights from 135 to 675 gsm and thickness of up to 0.7mm / 700 microns. 
 
Jain says, “The Scodix S74 series can print variable levels of thickness and texture, with a thick clear polymer that can reach as high as 250 microns, enabling the production of braille letters as well as graphic elements.”
 
Unsurprisingly, after the live demonstrations at Drupa, Scodix secured orders for the new S74 from Russia, Far East, Netherlands and India (at PM Digital in Chennai).

Technical Specification
Maximum resolution Upto 2540 X 360 dpi
Maximum speed  616 A3 sheets per hour
Maximum paper size  520mmX735mm
Paper thickness 135 to 675 gsm
Weight  2429 kg
Contact  T P Jain /Amritpal Singh Bawa
Monotech Systems 
+91 44 28157928 / 7894 / 7933/9810413858
info@monotech.in
 
Technical innovation
During Drupa, Scodix S74 PRO and the Scodix Rainbow glitter station worked round-the-clock at the event. 
 
The Scodix Rainbow station is the world’s first in-house digital inkjet glittering station producing the Scodix digital glittering experience. Scodix is perhaps the only supplier to deliver this one-of-a-kind glitter solution, creating new opportunities for photo-album covers, marketing communication materials, cosmetics and premium packaging, business cards, wedding invitations and other short-run applications.
 
Jain says, “The new glitter and braille applications were a great hit among our customers and key prospects.”
 
The Scodix S74 provides the tangible Scodix Sense experience using advanced jetting blocks and multiple independently controlled inkjet nozzles to deliver Scodix’s proprietary PolySense clear polymer in small drops. 
 
Jain says, “The Scodix optical print alignment (OPA) camera system executes enhancements with pinpoint accuracy (image-to-image registration), scanning each and every sheet to ensure delivery of the Scodix PolySense clear polymer to its exact location.”
 
The Scodix S Digital Press has the power to dazzle the senses with its creations and to produce an eye-catching print result. Using unique digital enhancement capabilities, it can produce 99 gloss units (GU) – the highest gloss available for printed materials – up to 250 microns in polymer height and variable density capabilities, ranging from 1% to 100%.
 
Inkjet braille printing
The Scodix inkjet braille printing technology is a breakthrough technology in providing materials to the visually challenged. In addition to recreating standard raised braille formats, the Scodix inkjet braille technology can also reproduce scientific elements, shapes such as triangles and circles, and animal forms.  
 
T P Jain says, “Unlike regular braille, the letters and shapes created by S74 stay raised at the same height, never flatten and are very easy to read. This is very useful for the visually challenged.”
 
Customer testimonial 
Chennai-based PM Digital Products (PMDP) is the first in India to install a Scodix S74 digital press. 
 
Established in 2005, PMDP is a partnership company and digital wing of 60 years old Palaniappa Brothers, the book publisher and printer. 
 
Chellappan, managing partner, PMDP says, “This technology has been introduced for the first time in Asia. We opted for this machine to beat the competition in our market. We want to make print more appealing and want our customers to feel the product rather than just see it.”
Chellapan adds, “This will take printing to a higher level. We want to provide full solution to the customers and all the processes are done in our printing facility at Chennai.”
 
At a very basic level one can say it is a wonderful replacement for spot UV as the gloss level it delivers is far superior. But in reality this technology offers much more. It not only gives gloss but also texture and depth to the print.  In a normal die-embossing process, the back side of the sheet has a negative impression. This is disturbing and the back-side cannot be properly used. But digital embossing delivers a perfectly flat back side.
 
Chellappan says, “Hence one can opt for embossing on both sides of the page. Since this machine is fully digital it is good for proofing also apart from regular production at 500 sheets per hour. It can accept both digital and offset printed sheets. Coated, uncoated and laminated paper and boards can be used in addition to other synthetic materials. Even though it is an offline process it can deliver accurate registration. The maximum sheet size it can handle is 20x29-inches (B2).”
 
Chellappan added, “It is a new technology. Designers will have to understand the capabilities and creative’s will have to be evolved with that in mind. Hence, all the design houses will be on our radar. Currently, we are using this machine for high-end customers’ jobs as well as for variable data printing.”
 
Jain says, “The machine is very unique; it multiplies the value of print by giving special effects. We will target the high end digital customers who believe in innovations and creativity and PM Digital Product is one of them.”
 
PM Digital has an offset and digital printing facility under one roof, the digital wing of the company includes a HP Indigo 3500 and IBM Ricoh mono printer. The offset unit includes a four-colour sheetfed Komori Lithrone printing press with a sheet-size of 18x25-inches, a 23x36-inches two-colour perfecting printing machine from Polygraph and two Indian-made web-offset printing presses.
 
Comparing the digital and offset technology, Chellapan states, “digital is a complementing technology and not a competing technology to offset. The volume determines the technology.” With the increasing adoption of on-demand publishing, Chellapan is of the firm view that digital is going to play a very big role.”
 
And in this sense, the S74 digital press which applies ink and creates the Scodix ‘final touch’, plus a premium quality print, has a great impact on the viewer.

 

   
 
   
Scodix S74 is equipped with a Rainbow glitter station producing glittering effect for photo-album covers, cosmetic packaging, business cards and wedding cards.
 
 
The Alternatives
MGI Jetvarnish
This digital inkjet spot UV coater has a top speed of 0.5 metre per second  and according to MGI is the perfect offline solution for spot UV coating on runs from one to thousands. The JetVarnish’s integrated UV curing dries sheets on the fly  via a conveyor belt. 
Speed  Up to 0.5 metre per second
Resolution  4,800x600dpi (156lpi)
Maximum paper size  520mmx 740mm 
Paper thickness  135 gsm to 600 gsm
Weight  1800 kg
Contact  Aura Print Solutions  +91 22 43551800 / info@ auraprintsolutions.com