New aqueous inks and printer systems for more sustainable applications as well as new developments for larger media flexibility and automated job changes
Durst, the industrial inkjet specialist presents its latest developments for the large-format segment at the FESPA 2015 in Cologne from May 18. - 22. A key issue of this year's trade fair presence is Durst Water Technology – a long-term strategy to provide an eco-friendly alternative to UV-curing inks. For more than two years, Durst has conducted research on the new aqueous inks. The result, is the new machine category Rho WT 250 HS which accesses the sustainability potential for rigid and flexible large-format media. It will be presented at this year's FESPA. The soft signage segment also benefits from Durst Water Technology and the ecological solutions it generates: The Rhotex HS prints on textile advertising- and information media with non-toxic migration- and odor free dispersion inks, while the new transfer printer Rhotex 180 TR uses aqueous dye-sublimation inks. In addition to soft signage printer systems, Durst will also provide information on further developments of the Kappa 320 for the industrial production of home textiles and interior furnishings. Durst will also present the successful Rho 1312 flatbed printing system in the Rho 1312 AF version with a redesigned feeder, for flexible production and fast media change with presets in the media channels.
´Durst Water Technology is our unique selling point in the market and yet again we find ourselves as the innovative leaders in large-format printing', says Christoph Gamper, CEO of Durst Phototechnik AG. Durst Water Technology is a groundbreaking innovation for soft signage and was essential to establishing sustainable and odor free large-format products at the POS. With the new development of the Rho WT, we can expand the range of applications to include classical LFP applications and access new market potential in the interior segment, as well as packaging and POS with ´green' products. We also constantly develop UV printing and can offer a larger media flexibility and a higher level of automation.'
Rho WT 250 HS
The new Rho 250 HS WT combines offset quality with sustainability. The new ink is not subject to specific labeling requirements regarding health- and environmental hazards. It combines the advantages of UV-reactive molecules (adherence, durability, robustness) with water properties (odorless, flexible, low-migration). The ink film is also thinner compared with UV-inks.
At the FESPA 2015, Durst will present the new Rho WT 250 HS, a new machine category for the implementation of aqueous inks. The Rho WT printer systems with Durst Quadro Array 10 WM, feature a new printhead- and drying technology. The Rho WT 250 HS prints with a droplet size of 10 picoliters, it can be configured with 6 colors and features an identical productivity as its UV-equivalent.
Durst has coordinated the interactions of substrate, ink and printhead to such a level, that an optimal result is achieved on a wide range of rigid and flexible materials such as PVC, boards, corrugated, wood, paper, banners, vinyl and foils.
Although there are currently no comparable printer systems, the market will nevertheless develop in this direction in the future. In the EU for example, the REACH regulation for the registration, evaluation and restriction of chemicals will eliminate more and more substances from the positive list.
Soft Signage Portfolio at the FESPA
Soft signage, or the use of textiles in form of coated and uncoated polyester fabrics as an advertising- and informational media, is one of the areas of growth in large-format printing. With the Rhotex HS, Durst offers the most productive digital soft signage printer in the market. It has a production speed of 900m² per hour and a maximum print width of 330 cm. Leading print service providers such as Kürten & Lechner in Germany, are currently extending their portfolio with the Rhotex HS to produce sustainable products for the POS. In addition to the ecological added value, the Rhotex HS feature unlimited colors and designs, photo-realistic print quality and a faster production regardless of job size.
With the Rhotex 180 TR, Durst has expanded its textile direct-print portfolio with the Dye Sublimation Technology. The print on sublimation paper with the transfer process via a calender allows companies from outside the sector to enter into textile production.
The Rhotex 180 TR features an industrial productivity level with a production speed of 200 m² per hour and a maximum print width of 1850 mm.
Industrial Textile Print
With the Kappa 320, Durst offers a high performance printer designed explicitly for a full width production of interior furnishings and decoration products. The system is equipped with a variety of feed-in and transport systems, as well as complex dryer units for various textile fabrics. The Kappa 320 uses water-based reactive-, acid- and dispersion inks. Durst is currently testing its new, aqueous pigment inks in cooperation with the textile finisher Standfast & Barracks of Great Britain. They will be introduced at the FESPA 2015 and will increase the range of possible applications even further.
Rho 1312 AF
Durst will present its successful Rho 1312 flatbed printing system at the FESPA in the modified
Rho 1312 AF version, with a re-designed feeder. Due to its selectable media channels, the system provides the best results especially for large print runs with different types of media. It allows for fully automated production processes and quick changeovers. In addition to its flexibility, the
Rho 1312 AF features the highest image quality and glossy effects based on the Gradual Flow Technology.
