KIT & MEDIA / NEWS 20 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Issue 345 - November / December 2023 First B2 perfecting aqueous-based inkjet press launches Described as a ‘world-first’, Ricoh has launched the RICOH Pro Z75 B2 perfecting (auto-duplexing) sheetfed inkjet press using aqueous ink. According to the manufacturer, in-market testing has demonstrated higher print quality, faster turnaround times, and fewer demands on employees. Said to accelerate the shift from offset to digital, the RICOH Pro Z75 offers low running costs and high inkjet productivity with print speeds of up to 4,500 sheets per hour in straight printing or 2,250 in duplex/perfecting printing. The digital press offers 1,200dpi resolution at all speeds with four colour (CMYK) pigment-based inks and a proprietary drying system enables immediate finishing. Substrate flexibility is also expanded with the ability to handle uncoated, inkjet-treated, and offset-coated media up to 400gsm with a maximum sheet size of 585mm x 750mm. In June 2022, US-based Heeter Printing was the official beta site for the new technology with Kirk Schlecker, president of Heeter Printing describing the machine as a “multitool for our operation”. The RICOH Pro Z75 is a B2 perfecting sheetfed inkjet press using aqueous inks Xeikon reveals the LION LX3000 Xeikon, a division of Flint Group, has unveiled its new automated dry toner press aimed at high-quality label printing. The Xeikon LX3000, nicknamed the LION, was showcased to the public for the first time at Labelexpo Europe 2023 in Brussels between September 11th and 14th. The machine is built for a web width of 330mm and has been developed as a 42m/min press to answer the demand for higher productivity and more cost-effective solutions for the mass production of digital labels. Xeikon’s Cruise Control System utilises advanced vision technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to continuously monitor and automatically adjust print production settings. Cruise Control also checks, adjusts, and reports on five key settings to ensure precise colour registration, print station densities, and consistency with the set colour reference. If the quality does not meet customer expectations, an automatic notification is generated and printed alongside the print. The new press is a response to customer requests for a more competitive and high-quality solution Inkcups launches new direct-to-bag UV printer Inkcups has announced the global launch of the XJET Switch direct-to-bag digital printer. Designed for direct-to-bag and hard goods applications, the machine is the first UV flatbed printing machine from Inkcups for bag decoration. Features include flexible capabilities for both pliable and hard goods, manual load and automated load and index, either 180 or 90 degrees if pretreatment is required. Described by the manufacturer as setting a new standard in swift and high-quality UV flatbed printing, the XJET Switch produces full CMYKWW (highly opaque white) images directly onto bags and hard goods. The system also provides customisation options which enable the configuration of platens to meet specific requirements. One example of this is to have three-up, four-up, or more within the printable area. Being paired with the flexible XFLEXX UV ink series, the XJET Switch eliminates the risk of cracking or distorting as the bag moves with use. The XJET Switch made its trade show debut at PRINTING United 2022 and is now available globally C&T Channel Matrix has announced it has now extended its offering of technology by Italian manufacturer Mito to the UK and Ireland. Since C&T began selling the PlayMatrix 4.0, over 50 machines have been sold offering time savings and accuracy to box makers and large users of creasing matrix. The new offering from C&T is the T-Rex stripping machine. Automating the stripping process, the waste stripping machine with a chain offers faster, more efficient, and less labour-intensive production. C&T extends range of stripping machinery kit Baker Labels invests in new HP Indigo 6k Baker Labels has invested in a new HP Indigo 6k for its digital department which has used HP technology since 2006. The digital area underwent a major reshuffle to make room for the larger press which replaces Baker Label’s old HP Indigo WS6800 which was acquired in 2014. The digital department uses three HP Indigo presses and two Screen Inkjets while the company's flexible packaging division BakPac uses a HP Indigo 20k press. TheMagicTouch has introduced a new range of HTV (heat transfer vinyl) transfer products. The range includes a 3D Puff flex transfer which offers a raised textured effect; the Reflective HTV transfer for garments and textiles; and the new Rainbow Spectrum HTV which provides a shimmering colour-changing prism effect. 3D ‘Puff’ is available in 500mm-wide rolls in white, black, gold, silver, and is sold by the linear metre. Reflective and Rainbow Spectrum are also available in 500mm-wide rolls and the latter is available in clear, yellow, red, royal blue, green, and white, and is also sold by the linear metre. TheMagicTouch launches new HTV
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