Melbourne graphic systems supplier FAB Equipment is set to introduce the as-yet-unreleased Memjet-powered Delphax elan 500 high-speed colour press to the local market in early 2014, after being appointed as the Australian supplier for the Memjet-powered SRA2-sheet size press.
The Delphax elan 500 was first demonstrated at drupa last year and is claimed by its manufacturer as the world’s fastest full-colour SRA2 cut-sheet press.
The elan 500’s Australian-developed Memjet Waterfall printheads see the machine reach maximum speeds of up to 500 A4 impressions per minute at 1600dpi resolution, firing up to 700 million ultra-fine droplets of ink per second.
The press is currently in beta testing at sites in the United States – where Delphax is headquartered. However, the model will not be available for full commercial sale internationally until early 2014.
According to Matthew Benn (pictured), managing director of FAB Equipment, the deal with Delphax has been a long time coming but, now complete, sees the local supplier reposition itself within the Australian market.
- Matthew Benn, MD of FAB Equipment (L) shakes hands with Steve Hubbard (R), GM of EMEA, Delphax UK.
“Adding the Delphax elan 500 to our stable of products makes us a different type of supplier and moves us into the era of high-volume vibrant colour cut-sheet printing technology,” says Benn. “Our heritage as a service company through our subsidiary ASAP Repairs ‘service division’ went a long way in convincing Delphax that FAB Equipment is the perfect partner for the Australian market.
“We’ve been working on it for a year. They didn’t know when it would be commercially ready for some time. It’s a big decision and neither of us wanted to make it lightly. We’ve been in talks for a year, since its demonstration at drupa,” he says.
FAB Equipment, which already offers a broad range of graphic systems equipment to the local market, including Watkiss Automation, James Burn International Wire-O binding, MB folding solutions and KAS creasers, will begin shipping the new press to customers after its commercial release in the first quarter of 2014.
“We expect to be delivering the first model after its release in 2014. We’re not able to have it until it’s released commercially. So we will be delivering the first machines then,” says Benn.
While the elan 500 still lacks a comprehensive range of inline finishing equipment, Benn is confident that FAB Equipment’s existing range of offline finishing products will work well with the new press. However, he adds that there could be some inline equipment for the new press manufactured before long.
“At the moment, the finishing is not inline. Delphax hasn’t made available any inline finishing systems for the moment, but there is a possibility some of our manufacturers will be able to do that for Delphax,” says Benn. “We put them in touch with some of our manufacturers at drupa in relation to inline finishing equipment.
“That said, all of our current offline finishing equipment will work well with the elan 500. Our broad range of top-quality finishing equipment fits perfectly with the elan 500, because it will deliver SRA2 sheets in an offset-press-like pile rather than a paper-tray fed system,” he says.
Fab Equipment sells Watkiss Automation, James Burn International Wire-O binding, MB folding solutions, KAS creasers, mailing systems and booklet makers, Rigo PUR and EVA binders and guillotines, Daeho guillotines, Dumor creaser/folders and slit/cut/crease machines, and much more – some of which can be seen at the company’s stand #1750 at PacPrint.
Delphax is well known as a supplier to North American security, government, direct mail and financial markets having pioneered high-speed digital printing with its Electron Beam Imaging technology over 30 years ago.
The company’s move into full colour opens up new markets such as books, commercial print, trans-promo, pre-cut label sheets and short run packaging.