At the FESPA DIGITAL EUROPE exhibition (May 12th – May 14th, 2009, Amsterdam, Netherlands), wide-format printer & cutting plotter manufacturer Mutoh Europe nv will display its latest innovations in the field of large-format digital inkjet printing & sign cutting.
Brand-new products on display at Mutoh’s booth (Hall 1 – A30) will be the Viper Extreme dye sublimation printer, the ValueJet Hybrid bio solvent printer as well as a new series of
aqueous inkjet printers called the ValueJet water based series.
Visitors will also be able to discover the Zephyr 65 UV printer and to explore the multiple benefits of Mutoh’s proprietary Intelligent Interweaving technology (i²), now standard on all Mutoh piezo inkjet printers.
New Viper Extreme Dye Sub Printers
Mutoh’s new Viper Extreme printer family has been purpose-developed for digital transfer printing. The new printer series is suited for transfer sublimation printing (on paper) for transfer to fabric or transfer to object, as well as for direct sublimation printing (coated closed polyester fabric). Available in 1651 mm – 65” and 2240 mm - 88” widths, the Viper Extreme printers are targeted at businesses focusing on volume production of soft sign banners for indoor use and/or short term outdoor use.
Production speeds range from 6 to 37 m²/h. Top speeds up to 77 m²/h can be obtained. Viper Extreme printers allow volume printing on the thinnest available transfer papers (70 g/m²). The printers utilise Mutoh high speed quick dry disperse dye inks, offering deep & vivid colours and washable prints. Being a water-based ink, Mutoh dye sub inks enable environmentally sound printing.
New ValueJet Hybrid Printer
The ValueJet Hybrid is a 64” (1625 mm) wide inkjet printer capable of printing onto both roll-to-roll and rigid substrates. ValueJet Hybrid utilizes a non petro-chemical based ink, originating from corn. A heated air knife system blowing hot air onto the prints made will promote quick drying of the bio solvent ink and ensure that prints are dry when they come off the printer. The machine is suited for print supply to customers demanding “green” output, i.e. prints on
recyclable media. It will address the needs of print businesses exploring high-quality direct print applications onto a vast range of roll and rigid media, such as PP, PE, ABS, PET, polycarbonate, cardboard, PVC foam board, aluminium sandwich board, non-pvc and PVC based self-adhesive media, polyester, banner, uncoated tyvek, recyclable fibre-based paper.
Adopting Mutoh bio solvent inks in their digital printing workflow and using these inks on media for which a recycling path is established in their region, will help digital print providers in reducing their print shop’s environmental footprint.
New ValueJet Water Based Printer series
Based on Mutoh’s popular ValueJet Eco Solvent printer series, the new ValueJet piezo drop-on-demand water based inkjet printer series is available in 1371.5 mm – 54” and 1625 mm – 63.97” widths. The printers are fit for roll-to-sheet and roll-to-roll applications and use worry-free water based Mutoh dye and pigmented inks.
Compactly designed and easy-to-use, the Mutoh ValueJet aqueous printer series is targeted at print providers focusing on production of indoor prints. Prints made with Mutoh pigmented inks can also be used for short-term outdoor application.
About Mutoh’s Zephyr Printer
Zephyr is a CMYK 64” (165 cm) wide professional UV inkjet printer for roll-to-sheet, roll-to-roll and rigid board printing. The machine was previewed at Fespa Geneva 2008. First shipments started end of 2008.
The printer incorporates 4 high-end Xaar variable drop heads, offering high image quality combined with high productivity. The heads produce droplets as small as 8 picoliter. Drop sizes go up to 40 pl.
Zephyr 64 offers five production speeds ranging from 3.5 to 30 m²/h. Top engine speed goes up to 45 m²/h. The machine combines the ease of use of a compact digital solvent printer with the benefits of Mutoh UV inkjet technology, i.e. VOC free inks, zero drying time, minimal operator attention and maintenance. The Intelligent Interweaving print technology incorporated in the Zephyr will suppress gloss-banding effects typical for UV inkjet printing.
About Mutoh Intelligent Interweaving Print Technology
Under the motto “Impeccability and Predictability lead to Profitability” Mutoh Europe invites visitors, customers and partners to discover the unique benefits of Mutoh’s proprietary intelligent interweaving technology that is now standard on all Mutoh piezo printers. With Mutoh’s Intelligent Interweaving Technology – called i² (pronounced I squared) – ink is laid down in carefully optimized wave forms versus straight lines as used with most wide-format printers. The result is a drastic reduction or even total elimination of defects such as horizontal banding, ink mottle, bleed and the visible effects of missing or misfiring nozzles. Dedicated “print weave patterns” have been developed per individual printer and ink type.
One of the biggest benefits of Mutoh i² technology is that it offers predictable and reproducible output quality. Printer users will be able to print ideal quality images fit-for-purpose every time, in the shortest time. As such, i² stands for an unprecedented level of user comfort for the printer operator. Per printer incorporating Mutoh i² technology, a “guided printer setup” is available, allowing the printer operator to easily select the most suitable print mode and moreover to predict how long printing will take.
