Apollo - a new generation of high resolution hybrid UV printers being launched in the UK

Following the withdrawal of Zund from the Printer market, Planet Digital Ltd in the UK have led development of a whole new range of UV Print solutions. Now in cooperation with European partners, Planet Digital are ready to launch the first of a new range of UV printers and print finishing solutions into Europe and Russia. Sign UK will be the first of a series of exhibitions and launches planned for the Apollo range.

Bryan Stringer, Managing Director of Planet Digital (formally the founder and chairman of B&P Light Brigade) was key in the original development of the Zund215 and Zund250. With over a hundred Zund printers placed in the UK and many years working with machine manufacturers, Bryan was ideally placed at the demise of the Zund printer to seize the chance to share his knowledge and customer needs with other manufacturers. Gary Dare, Planet Digital's Technical Director played a vital part in this development.

To quote Bryan Stringer 'As one of the main European distributors for Zund printers, none of us could understand Zund stopping the production of printers. But from a strong engineering and established user base, an opportunity was created to develop a new range of printers where we could use our experience to drive machine development based on working practises in the UK and Europe rather than being told by manufacturers what we had to sell! The support of our Zund user base continues.  Apollo is a whole range of printers from the entry level Apollo 16, (1600mm wide, industrial print heads, roll to roll and rigid sheet printer with white), through sizes 2600 and 3200 to the 2.5 x 1.5 dedicated flatbed, the Apollo Storm.

Using the latest generation industrial Ricoh printheads using grey scale attributes, the printer will offer a number of advantages. Stronger firing jets allow for higher head height adjustment whilst producing pin sharp edge definition.  Good production speeds with resolutions of 1200 dpi apparent. White as standard (can be changed to colour if white not required).

Commented Gary Dare "Looking at my working background with Zund and other manufacturers, I feel the Apollo is one of the best engineered products I have been involved with. With a 2 year manufacturers warranty on mechanics and electrics we have a very good feeling about the Apollo range."

At Sign UK, three versions of the Apollo UV printers will be shown. Two Apollo 1600s using alternative 4 or 6 colour ink configurations and the Apollo 2500.

Planet Digital are a Specialist Supplier of Print & Cut systems and work flow solutions.

For further information contact Planet Digital on 01963 220900 or visit www.planetdigital.eu where further information will be launched in April.