64 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 254 - August / September 2024 “With these requirements in mind, we’ve developed an industrial-level dyesublimation printer that, we believe, sets new standards. The SC-F11000 offers the highest throughput of all Epson LFPs and is equipped with four PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads and a ‘hot swap’ bulk ink solution that’s designed to keep businesses running.” Addressing Trends As for other developments within the wide-format market, it is worth mentioning HP, which detailed several new innovations at drupa 2024. Among these was a new, 10L high-capacity ink accessory, designed specifically for the HP Latex 2700 printer. According to HP, this modular and upgradeable solution opens up opportunities for higher-volume print businesses. HP says it does this by ▲ Fujifilm developed the Acuity Triton in partnership with Mutoh ▼ Epson’s new SC-F11000H is available with an optional Jumbo Roll WIDE-FORMAT PRINT KIT PT.1 a real differentiator in productivity and all-round performance, and this with sustainability in mind,” Fujifilm says. “We believe this breakthrough technology is just the step forward the print industry needs. This is a first step of Fujifilm to establish a new WFIJ inkjet ink standard in the market.” This is not the only new innovation Mutoh has been working on. Shortly after drupa, the manufacturer launched a new digital printer in the form of the HydrAton 1642. This roll-to-roll printer, like the Acuity Triton, integrates water-based UV technology. Measuring 64" wide, the HydrAton 1642 represents a new technology segment for Mutoh, boasting print/dry technology. It also features a unique ink film formation process on the printed media that draws on the partnership with Fujifilm and its AQUAFUZE ink. With two AccuFine piezo drop-ondemand printheads, the HydrAton 1642 can print on a host of substrates without needing a pre-coat primer or optimiser. Substrate options open to users include paper, synthetic fabrics, technical fabrics, technical textiles, and heat-sensitive ecofriendly substrates. Incidentally, Mutoh exhibited several products from its wide-format, direct-toshape, and braille ranges at this year’s drupa including the XpertJet 1462UF, the ValueJet 628MP, and the XpertJet 1682SR Pro. Setting New Standards Another major manufacturer making moves in and around drupa was Epson, which, just a few days before the global event kicked off, announced details of its new 76-inch industrial dye-sublimation printer with an optional Jumbo Roll, developed with high-demand textile production in mind. The SureColor SC-F11000 and SC-F11000H are being billed as suitable for applications in fashion, sportswear, home furnishings, and soft signage with high productivity, speed, quality, and reliability being its core selling points, according to Epson. Epson says the SC-F11000H in particular has been designed for maximum up-time, driven by an optional Jumbo Roll. This innovation enables both continuous production and reduced downtime, with the printer needing less frequent media changes than normal. The device also runs with Epson printheads, ink, and EdgePrint Pro software. On the subject of ink, the new printer offers a CMYK ink configuration and also includes the addition of one of three ink sets: orange and violet, fluorescent yellow and fluorescent pink, or light cyan and light magenta, which Epson says opens up even more options for users when it comes to taking on new work and entering other markets. Phil McMullin, head of sales for commercial and industrial at Epson UK, comments: “In the dye-sublimation sector, customers demand fast turnaround times, consistent performance, high-quality output, and reliability.
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