Where next for inkjet printing?
After a welcoming address by Dr Richard Piock, CEO of Durst Phototecknik, Dr Markus Lorenz, MD of The Boston Consulting Group, discussed the future of large-format digital printing. Following this informative discourse on broad market trends and future prospects, Matteo Rigamonti, president of the Italian web-to-print pioneer Pixartprinting, chose a personal approach for his presentation which proved entertaining and provocative. ‘We’re only doing it for the money!’ was one of his propositions.
Bernd Payer of PKF Consulting managed his own successful printing company in Austria for 15 years before turning to consultancy. ‘A machine is an important resource for a business model – but is not a business model itself’ was one piece of wisdom from this experienced businessman.
The topic of Process Standard Digital (PSD) was handled by Berthold Oberhollenzer of Fogra. Unlike offset printing, digital printing has too many media variables to copy the existing ISO Printing Standard. Fogra has based the PSD on actual print quality. The result is a quality standard that can be followed by printers and easily checked to see where faults might lie.
Productivity the common factor
The introduction of new machines in Durst’s flagship range, the Rho 1000 series, included the new Rho 1012 and 1030.
Capable of printing up to 490m²/hour at 1 000dpi, the Rho 1012 is described as ‘the most productive 12-picolitre flatbed printer in its class’. Producing stunning quality, it’s ideal for ‘close-up’ viewing of backlits and POS.
The Rho 1030, dubbed ‘the world’s fasted UV inkjet flatbed’, is capable of printing up to 1 000 m²/hour. It was demonstrated as a fully-automated line with auto feed and stacking. Several visitors held stop watches to confirm actual speed.
Visitors also watched a demonstration of Durst’s Variodrop technology, the latest development in the successful Rho P10 series. These industrial-level UV inkjet printers feature 10-picolitre ink drops. Variodrop technology provides up to 25% increase in output for all Rho P10 models. It also solves inherent problems that can jeopardise the quality of printing with greyscale ink technology.
As well as learning about projects currently in progress at Durst, visitors learnt of a new ink development – Premium White HD Set – for printing on the Rho P10 series. This new white ink provides excellent coverage while maintaining high print speeds.
Michael Lackner, Durst’s head of marketing, remarks: ‘We were delighted by response to this event. It met with universal approval. Although this was intended as a one-off event, I believe it’s something that could become an annual feature on of the Durst calendar.’
Call the team at Kemtek for further information.
Capable of printing up to 490m²/hour at 1 000dpi, the Rho 1012 is described as ‘the most productive 12-picolitre flatbed printer in its class’. Producing stunning quality, it’s ideal for ‘close-up’ viewing of backlits and POS.
