Currie Group is bringing the innovative Israeli-manufactured machine to Australia this month with a series of demonstrations at the Group’s Hawthorn showroom planned for July and August. In February this year, David Currie travelled to Israel to review new pre-drupa technology. While there he took the opportunity to sign his Currie Group as the Australian agent for Scodix, the innovative digital enhancement press.
At drupa Scodix showcased a number of new machines that drew plenty of attention. At the same time the first Currie Group machine, a Scodix74, was on the water to Melbourne.
Plans are now advanced for a series of demonstrations in the company’s showroom before the initial machine goes to a buyer.
Ohad Snir (pictured) a Scodix engineer at drupa, was happy to claim responsibility for the industrial design of the machine. “It’s my machine… I designed it,” he said, although he was also quick to point out that he is but one member of the team responsible.
Walking around the stand he proudly detailed the simple yet elegant solution he came up with to the problems of digitising print enhancement. It has to do with putting Scodix’s proprietary clear polymer onto substrate using inkjet heads and UV curing. Sounds simple enough but according to Snir, the problems of making it work were immense.
The results are rather similar to the old verko thermography raised printing process, but with digital inkjet accuracy and no messy powder or heating. The possibilities for digital embellishment are unlimited and at drupa Scodix introduced further refinements such as a Braille printer and a glitter station to add rainbow effects to any style of printing.
The Scodix is viewed as being most suitable for professional finishing houses, although there is a greater willingness among commercial printers to take innovative finishing inhouse. According to Phil Rennell, the early adopters will reap the benefit. “Scodix allows printers to set themselves apart in what they can offer customers, especially agencies and high-end packaging customers.”