2008 brings unprecedented changes to the wide format printer industry
Epson has already introduced a 64” water-based printer and also try to introduce a 64” eco-solvent printer. But HP just announced a new latex ink that, if it works, will rewrite indoor and outdoor signage printing (March 2008 was the announcement).
In January 2007 we increased FLAAR Reports on solvent, eco-solvent, and mild/lite solvent, starting with a site-visit case study of the Roland AJ-1000. We also have new reports coming out in 2008 on the Mimaki JV5-160S and JV3-160SP (which is still available). Mimaki and Roland hold the lead in solvent printer sales at present. Sales of other big-name solvent printers are slipping which is why we are concentrating on the leaders: Mimaki, Mutoh and Roland. One Korean solvent printer company went bankrupt last year (not Keundo, DGI/Dilli, or IP&I; they are doing just fine).
Raster Printers is developing a 4x5’ true dedicated flatbed UV printer, using LEDs for pinning UV light and MEMS technology Spectra printheads. This new Raster Printers by Rak Kumar and his capable business associates will be “Made in the USA ” for franchise sign shops that don’t have space (or budget) for a huge UV flatbed.
We are already familiar with additional brand new UV flatbeds, that will be released later this year (some at FESPA, others at DRUPA). Sorry, we are under NDA with this and several other companies until the printers are shown to everyone else. But as a reader of the FLAAR Reports, you get the scoop when our reports come out.
Meet Nicholas Hellmuth at a trade show, or arrange him to speak
You can speak with Dr Hellmuth in major cities around the world: he is scheduled to lecture in Manila, Poland, Russia, Croatia, Slovenia, and at DRUPA (he’s not in the main list; it’s a semi-private lecture but we can get you invited). In 2006 Nicholas Hellmuth lectured in Dubai, Athens, Istanbul, Lisbon, etc. During 2007 he lectured in Seoul (twice) Dubai (a second time), Novosibirsk, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Cincinnati, Istanbul (again) and is available to speak in your hometown anywhere in the world: just contact via fax 419 352 1971. If you answer, try Skype: FLAAR Mesoamerica.
Dr Hellmuth is also available as a consultant, both in your office anywhere or at any trade show of your preference. Out next consulting trip is to Vancouver. Our next factory visits (for UV-curable flatbed printers) are to Israel (one week and then to elsewhere in Europe).
Roll-to-roll UV-curable Inkjet Printer, an additional research emphasis at FLAAR
So that we can better assist our now over 270,000 readers per year, worldwide, on this growing resource on UV printers, we are increasing coverage of roll-fed UV-curable printer systems.
Most UV-cured printers are flatbeds, or hybrids or combos (a new FLAAR Report will explain these essential basic classifications after FESPA '07). At DRUPA 2004, dedicated roll-to-roll UV-curable printers were first introduced by NUR: their Expedio 3200. Since then the Durst Rho 351R and two models of Gandinnovations roll-to-roll UV printers have been launched.
Now several additional new models of the NUR dedicated roll-fed UV printer are available: the NUR Expedio Revolution and the NUR Expedio Inspiration. As of March 2008 these are renamed the HP Scitex XP5100, HP Scitex XP5100 and HP Scitex XP2100, HP Scitex XP2700. So for 2008 we are considering addressing more attention to roll-fed aspects of UV-curable inkjet printers. Our first installation already last year was twice visiting the NUR factory and technology development offices to learn, first-hand, about their new models. Naturally we also spend time in the NUR booth at ISA and FESPA Berlin ‘07. But we are finding that the optimal manner to effectively learn about new printers is by speaking directly with the engineers and ink chemists. Then, once there are examples of these printers out in the workplace, then we seek funding to undertake site-visit case studies.
Previously we have visited the UV factories of GRAPO (Czech Republic) as well as companies that make exclusively flatbed printers (Inca, in the UK). We have an appointment at VUTEk for late June to gather documentation on their QS2000, a good example of a combo concept.
Chinese Printers
During 2008 we will continue to study Chinese-made UV-cured flatbed inkjet printers. Indeed recently FLAAR updated two different site-visit case studies of Infiniti UV printers ($40,000 machines… but do they work…??). The new Infiniti UV report is now available. FLAAR also has reports on the entire Chinese UV printer industry available.
New site-visit case studies of UV-cured ink flatbed printers
The first site-visit of year 2008 will be a detailed inspection of the Durst Rho 800. Nicholas made the effort to track down the owner of a Gandinnovations Jeti 3150 UV flatbed printer. He has had the Gandy UV printer for 8 months. So now, at last, you can obtain first-hand reliable information on what to expect.
We have updated our reports on the NUR Tempo, on the Gandinnovations (we have two reports on the Jeti, a comprehensive evaluation and the site-visit); we have updated our reports on the Dilli / D.G.I., and many other UV printers. We have also updated several of the UV Series 1 and UV Series 2 reports. Plus there is now a new UV report, on printheads specifically for UV-cured ink. We have updated our reports on the Inca Spyder 150 and on the Inca Spyder 320 as well.
In late March ‘06 we did a site-visit case study of a Luescher JetPrint in Athens, Greece and are receiving information from a new installation of a Luescher UV flatbed in the US. If you are thinking of a Luescher, or comparing it with an Inca or NUR Tempo, you ought to order these FLAAR Reports to double-check the pros and cons of each printer. Every model has a few quirks that you owe yourself to learn about. Become a savvy buyer; get the inside info from FLAAR.
FLAAR now has over 83 reports on UV printers. Since we are a non-profit institute, our Reports ordering system has a few quirks. If you get lost, or have questions, please contact CustomerService@FLAAR.org.
Variable Data Short Run Digital Press
Imagine being able to speak directly to your customers with relevant information that generates a significantly high response rate. This is all possible on a variable data press, allowing you to communicate on levels that were not possible before. To give you an upper hand on variable data printing, FLAAR has initiated a new site, www.variable-data-digital-press.org.
Five of the FLAAR+BGSU staff were flown to the Xerox technology display center in Rochester for a complete technology briefing on variable data short run digital presses.
The first notes are available now, free automatic download.
Dr. Hellmuth's relationship with Wide Format Printers
Dr. Hellmuth is the Johnny Appleseed of wide format printers. His goal is to help newcomers, pro-sumers, as well as corporate in-house work groups, departments, and seasoned pros from government and educational institutions, prepress, graphic design, sign shops, quick print shops and other commercial enterprises learn which model of wide format inkjet printer would best meet their specific needs.
Dr Hellmuth has also been described as the " Ann Landers" or "Dear Abby" to end-users. He helps them overcome the pros and cons of large format digital imaging. When you marry the wrong printer, when you have a one-night stand with inappropriate ink or media, when your relationship with a cheapo Internet source of low-bid equipment has gone sour, then "Ask Dr. Nicholas" and his staff. They will do their best to make reports available to assist and resolve your problems.
If you or your company needs serious professional consultation, then Dr. Hellmuth is available as a consultant. He can visit clients’ facilities anywhere in the world, or clients can visit with him at trade shows anywhere in any country.
Most of our updates for 2008 onward are in FLAAR Reports in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. It is more efficient for us to make new information available in PDF format. So if the web page itself is not updated, check out www.wide-format-printers.NET to see if the printer, RIP, or other subject is covered in an update in a PDF download.
Most recently updated updated March 10, 2008.
Previous updates: Jan 27, 2008, May 3, 2007, March 19, 2007, February 12, 2007,January 2007, August 3, 2006, June 27, 2006, June 16, May 16, 2006, January 5, 2006, November 25, 2005, Oct. 28, 2005, Oct. 12, 2005, August 26, 2005. June 24, 2005, May 2005. Jan 27, 2005, February 17, 2004, after PMA trade show. Jan, 7, 2004, Dec. 15, 2003, July 3, 2003, redesigned Feb. 2003, Feb. 18, 2003, Dec. 20, 2002, Apr. 22, 2002. |
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