Hardware - Print Finishing

The 640t, targeted for the entry to mid market place, does the job others in this same class can`t. It laminates and mounts pressure-sensitive films and adhesives up to 61 inches wide at speeds up to 16 feet per minute to allow the user to finish prints quickly and easily. The most unique feature of the 640t is that it offers roll to roll capabilities for increased productivity and profits.

The 2064Ct is a high production level machine designed to laminate and mount applications up to 64 inches wide and operate at speeds up to 30 feet per minute for maximum productivity, making the 2064Ct the fastest wide format roll-to-roll laminator on the market today. With safety and versatility in the forefront, the three-part advanced electrical safety system provides unsurpassed operator safety while allowing maximum control during lamination.

The 640t and 2064Ct wide format roll laminators were designed to increase sales and profits for the sign and graphic print marketplace by creating a fast, high quality, easy to use wide format laminating solution. Whether the application is trade show graphics, vehicle graphics, POP displays, backlit displays, window signage, floor graphics, rigid displays, or any indoor/outdoor signage, the graphic print market can rely on GBC. 

Allen Datagraph Systems Inc. (ADSI) announces the launch of a revolutionary new product for the printing and finishing of high-quality, short-run labels on a wide variety of substrates:  The iTech AXXIS Digital Label System.

"Many small-to-medium-sized companies have the need for high quality labels. However the cost associated with purchasing small quantities of high quality labels is one of the biggest issues these companies have to resolve - while still offering products that are appealing to the consumer at the point of sale. Until today, they had only a few options," explains Mark Vanover, VP Sales and Marketing at ADSI.  "They were required to purchase labels in large quantities creating inventory that may never be used, or they paid a high premium for short-run labels - both options decreasing their profitability. Their last option was to use inferior pre-cut label solutions. We believe that the iTech AXXIS Digital Label System represents a paradigm-shift in label manufacturing by offering a complete desktop label production system printing high quality labels at an astonishingly low cost per label to produce."

The iTech AXXIS Digital Label System, designed and assembled in the U.S., is comprised of both the iTech AXXIS Digital Label Printer, a high-resolution (5760 x 1440 dpi) roll-fed CMYK print engine featuring variable-droplet technology, and the iTech AXXIS Digital Label Finisher that laminates, integrates die-less die cutting, and both strips and rewinds the label roll.  Printing on substrate widths from 100 mm to 220 mm with an outside roll diameter up to 280 mm, the system images at up to 100 mm a second - or 6 meters per minute.

The complete iTech AXXIS Digital Label System, small enough to fit on a desktop yet engineered to handle high-productivity throughput, is priced at under Euro 25,000 in Europe.  "No other label system can offer the features of the iTech AXXIS Digital Label System for anything close to that investment," continues Vanover.  "We're turning the industry's assumptions of label production on its head by bringing affordable digital label manufacturing within reach of everyone. We believe the iTech AXXIS Digital Label System enables every converter to never have to walk away from their customers short-run label production needs again."

The first showing of the iTech AXXIS Digital Label System will be on the Epson America booth (7328) at Print '09, September 11-16, Chicago IL. (www.print09.com). The official launch of the iTech AXXIS Digital Label System will be on the ADSI booth (9F48) at Labelexpo Europe 2009, September 23 - 26, Brussels, Belgium (www.labelexpo-europe.com), the world's largest event for the label, product decoration, web printing and converting industry.

The iTech AXXIS Digital Label System will be available for delivery in Q4 2009.

Zünd receives EDP-Award 2009 in category “Best wide-format finishing device”

With G3, the new generation of digital cutting systems, Zünd presented a thoroughly convincing entry for this year’s EDP Award and, for the second time, was honored with the top prize for wide-format finishing. The jury’s explanation for choosing Zünd G3: "No other cutting machine can match the flexibility and upgradeability of the G3 series with its modular tool concept. G3 is capable of processing up to 50mm/2”-thick materials, with an extensive yet simple selection of available sizes, modules, tools, and material-handling options. Designed specifically for 24/7 operation, G3 cutters offer both exceptionally solid construction and superior accuracy—a unique combination.” At the EDP award ceremony held during Grafitalia in Milan, the winners proudly accepted their prize (see photo below).

EDP (European Digital Press Association) is an association of 15 leading European trade publications dedicated to digital printing. Together they represent a readership in excess of 1 million. EDP award recipients are chosen annually by an independent jury of experts in recognition of the most outstanding innovations in digital printing during the previous year. Among many well-known contestants for the 2009 prize, Zünd has again distinguished itself as market leader in wide-format finishing.

What sets the new cutter generation G3 apart are technical as well as ecological innovations. The 2009 EDP award confirms the strength of Zünd’s vision for the future of digital cutting technology.

Further information on Zund finishing products can be found at www.zund.co.uk

SEAL Graphics, a world leader in image and print finishing solutions, will announce a second new UV-curable liquid laminator at this year’s Fespa digital exhibition. 

As the ‘smaller brother’ to the AS60UV Pro, the AquaSEAL 24UV has been developed especially for professional photographic studios and other small format users handling images up to 60.9 cms (24ins). 

The AS 24UV is a fully automated liquid coating machine designed to deliver superb high speed protective coatings for inkjet, photographic, electrostatic and digital press original images as well as colour copies.  Dependent upon the application, the coating thickness can be varied between 7 and 16 microns at speeds of up to 7.62 metres per minute (25ft/min). 

Being exceedingly user-friendly, the company claims no special operator skills are required.  Simply insert the image to produce output that is evenly protected with a scratch-resistant, water-resistant and image enhancing coating within seconds. The machine uses an innovative UV dryer with high speed curing which results in an instant, unblemished final product in a choice of gloss, lustre or matte finishes. 

The AS24UV has two tanks to accommodate coating liquids and one for the cleaning solution. It automatically cycles and filters the coating liquid at precisely the required volume and, because it is UV cured, there is no need to clean down at the end of each job/day.

Hamamatsu, Japan. June 18 2009 - Roland DG Corporation is proud to announce the release of the company’s newest 3D desktop milling machine, the MODELA MDX-40A. The MDX-40A builds on Roland’s advanced Subtractive Rapid Prototyping (SRP) technology with advanced features and bundled CAM software that together make it more versatile and easier to use.

Prototyping is becoming increasingly important to today’s product development professionals. The MDX-40A allows these users to create models from their 3D CAD data, lowering their product development costs and shortening the development cycle. The MDX-40A enables these professionals to create prototypes that reflect a product’s functionality and appearance, key factors that determine its value to consumers. For example, the MDX-40A can mill the design and actual texture of an automotive gearshift prototype so both can be reviewed easily for the highest quality results.

“The MODELA MDX-40A is an ideal prototyping solution for R&D and design departments of manufacturers and vocational educators, and particularly for those without previous milling experience,” said Masataka Otake, Roland DG 3D product manager. “The MDX-40A also includes Roland’s own CAM software, SRP Player, which further increases its ease of use and functionality. “

With Roland SRP Player, users simply follow a step-by-step guide to set up the milling process. From this input, SRP Player automatically determines the right tools and optimum tool path. Roland ClickMILL™ software is included as well, allowing users to round edges, add pockets and holes, create fixtures and add last minute modifications, all without accessing their CAD software. An optional rotary axis unit enables users to mill objects at any angle from 0 to 360 degrees unattended.

Along with this product announcement, Roland has announced that existing MDX-40 customers can update their SRP machines with some of the new features and capabilities of the MDX-40A with a simple firmware upgrade, available upon the release of the new MDX-40A.

Roland MODELA MDX-40A 3D Milling Machine Features:
• Compact footprint of 699 mm (W) x 760 mm (D) x 554 mm (H) (26.34” x 29.9” x 21.8”) fits on the desktop.
• No special electrical installations are required and users can start prototyping immediately upon installation.
• Roland SRP Player CAM software is included and features simple step-by-step settings for easy operation and high quality milling.
• Roland ClickMill™ software is included and enables fast production and easy modifications. Users can surface materials, add holes and round edges – all without accessing their 3D CAD software.
• New on-screen operation panel offers additional functions, allowing the cursor to move in vertical, horizontal and oblique directions, and to a programmed position. It also allows users to adjust the speed of cursor movements for easier origin setting.
• A new optional rotary axis unit supports materials up to 270mm long by 120mm in diameter (10.63” long by 4.72” in diameter). This is four times the capacity of the previous model and large enough to mill a 500ml (16.9oz.) PET bottle.
• Supports NC code (G-code) for both professional and educational applications.

Roland Subtractive Rapid Prototyping Technology
Subtractive Rapid Prototyping (SRP) has several advantages over traditional additive rapid prototyping. SRP devices cost significantly less while producing prototypes from a wider variety of low-priced materials including ABS, acrylic, chemical woods, plaster and styrene form. With SRP, professionals can design prototypes using materials that closely match the substrate of the final product, so that the integrity and mechanical attributes of the design can be reviewed. SRP produces beautiful finishes with smooth curved surfaces, allowing designers to check the texture as well as the design.