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Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

Mimaki TS34-1800A production dye sub printer launch

Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

Mimaki is set to launch a new 1.8m wide, production dye sublimation printer. The TS34-1800A has been designed specifically for the sublimation printing market with high speed and quality in mind. Sublimation transfer printing is widely utilised for sportswear applications due to the elasticity and quick-drying capability of polyester material as well as in the growing market of soft signage applications, such as flags, retail point of sale and exhibition graphics.

With a staggered array of two newly developed print heads, the Mimaki TS34-1800A is capable of printing up to 32sqm/hr at 540 x 720 dpi. In addition to this significant production speed, the machine can achieve a printing speed of 17.7sqm/hr in six colour mode at the same resolution, where customers have a requirement for superior quality prints, with smooth gradations of tone and colour. These features make the TS34-1800A suitable for both large-sized soft signs and apparel applications, which respectively require a quick response and fine image quality.

In addition to this increased print speed and quality, various practical functions also contribute to the improved productivity of the machine by enabling automated continuous operation. Mimaki's UISS function enables the setting of two ink cartridges per colour in four colour mode. When an ink cartridge is depleted, the system switches automatically to the second cartridge of the same colour, preventing the printing process from stopping.

The optional Mimaki Bulk Ink System (MBIS) provides large volume continuous ink supply with two litre ink sacks. As a result, overall ink costs along with users' environmental footprint are substantially reduced. Mimaki also offers an optional drying fan which increases the ink drying speed significantly, enabling continuous media take-up even during high speed printing.

Commenting on the launch of the machine, Hybrid's marketing manager, Duncan Jefferies said: "The new Mimaki TS34-1800A delivers a competitively priced solution at a popular width and with powerful production capabilities. The response from our specialist textile resellers suggests they're already confident the dye sub market will very quickly adopt this machine for volume output."

Using aqueous ink to print to polyester ensures the Mimaki printing solution has excellent green credentials and the TS34-1800A, packaged with Mimaki's RasterLink Pro RIP software, will be available from early 2012 through Hybrid's authorised reseller network.

For further information telephone Hybrid on 01270 501900 or visit www.hybridservices.co.uk

HP Designjet L26500 Latex printer - New addition to William Smith’s range

Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

A new inkjet printer has been introduced to the impressive range of HP Latex printing solutions supplied by HP channel partner William Smith to the sign and graphics and digital printing industries. Called the HP Designjet L26500, it is a replacement for the earlier L25500 machine, but shares all of the now familiar environmental and performance/cost benefits of other printers in the HP Latex family. In addition, it offers more application possibilities through upgraded design features.

Significantly, these include a larger print area of 61 inches (1550mm) to make the new printer better suited to applications involving flexible media used, for example, in soft signage and textile printing, a new 40kg take-up system with dancer bar that keeps the media under tension for unattended printing, an ability to carry out double-sided printing and the availability of new inks that provide deeper and glossier colours and an enriched black finish.

Like all HP Latex printers, this latest offering uses the unique and patented HP Latex Ink Technology that has only a minimal VOC (volatile organic compound) content, contains no HAP (hazardous air pollutants) and does not generate ozone emissions during printing. As a consequence, no expensive fume extraction and ventilation equipment is required, thus fuelling the growing popularity of this environmentally friendly and more cost-effective printing technology as a viable alternative to hazardous solvent-based systems.

The six-colour HP L26500 has a print resolution of 1200dpi and a variable print speed of up to 22.8 square metres/hour. It will handle a wide range of roll-fed media, including vinyl, backlit polyester film, textiles, thin banner-grade and lined mesh for porous media. In addition, for a broader range of applications and in particular vehicle wrapping, use of the printer using HP Latex inks will, it is claimed, outperform solvent- and eco-solvent-based systems and thus appeal to a much wider end user customer base with complementary 'green' objectives.

As part of the HP Latex printing technology culture, the HP Designjet L26500 is fully compliant with all relevant EU safety and environmental standards, achieving EU (LVD and EN 60950-1) and Class A EU (EMC Directive) accreditation for the former and ENERGY STAR, WEE, EU RoHS, EuP and FEMP approval for the latter. The system, which is compatible with both MAC and PC systems, comes with a one-year warranty and is supported by the comprehensive HP Care Pack Services support package. Furthermore, the printer has Green Guard certification that enables output for the more sensitive environmental applications such as those used for hospitals and educational establishments.

For further information, visit www.williamsmith.co.uk or telephone 01833 694707.

Vectric launches Aspire 3.5 and VCarve Pro6.5

Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:00

Users of both Aspire and VCarve Pro will benefit from a number of new tools common to both packages such as a specific Arc Drawing function, enhanced Pass Depth Control on profile toolpaths and an option to directly Print 2D and 3D images. The pass depth function allows the user to specify the individual cut depths when profiling. This can improve edge quality on parts using laminated materials and helps to better control techniques like "onion skinning", where a thin layer of material is left to hold the part in place when cutting it out. The printing option can be used to create images for customer approval or to make reference sheets for checking details at the machine, helping to optimize setup time. The arc drawing tool makes it easier to layout curved shapes common to many designs.

Aspire's new 3D Clipart Browser will speed up the creation of parts as well as increasing the choices available for "real-time" 3D design. The browser allows the user to see previews of files created with Aspire, making it easier and faster to select components for new layouts. Images of the parts can easily be browsed from within the program and magnified when required to ensure you are loading the correct piece. Once located the user can just drag and drop the image to import the model into the current job setup. An extension to the browser also allows the extensive Vector Art 3D clipart library to be searched from within Aspire to find appropriate files to purchase.

A new tool to extract a cross section from the 3D model along with enhancements to the smoothing and sculpting tools make creating finished 3D components in Aspire even simpler. The cross section tool makes it possible to extract data from the model so new shapes can be seamlessly combined with the existing design. This can be particularly beneficial for customers who work with 3D digitized data or import models from other CAD systems. Enhancements to the sensitivity of the smoothing and sculpting provide added control during the important stage of finalizing the 3D model. The Sculpting also benefits from more "short-cut" commands to control the operation, making the use of this important tool quicker and more dynamic.

Aspire 3.5 offers a new Top/Bottom Split Import Option for creating parts from existing 3D models, this allows a full 3D part (STL file) to be automatically split into two components which represent the "top" and "bottom" of the object based on a flat splitting plane. When coupled with the existing function to divide components into multiple Z layers, this makes it even easier to generate toolpaths to machine the individual pieces to assemble the full 3D finished part.

For further information telephone Vectric on 01527 850 323 or visit www.vectric.com