The wide-format show in Munich is reinforcing the interest printers have in comparing new models from the leading providers. Nessan Cleary, Print21 European correspondent, sent this update from the show. Check out the June issue of Print21 magazine for a full report.
This year’s Fespa Digital show is proving to be one of the most interesting of recent years with plenty of new kit on show. Canon has launched a new, larger series of Arizona printers, signalling a move into the mid-volume segment. The Arizona 6100 series has a 3.5 x 2m bed and can produce 100 sqm/hr in Production mode, or roughly 24 8x4 boards per hour, and up to 155 sqm/hr in Express mode.
Fujifilm has also launched a rebadged version of this as the Acuity F. Fujifilm has also launched the Vybrant, a 1.6m wide roll fed printer that is a rebadged Mimaki SUV. There's also a new Onset R40i, which is slightly faster than the Q-series launched last year.
Screen has its Trupress Jet W3200HS at the show, a totally new model based on the plain 3200 but at up to 150m2 production speed. It is a higher-productivity version of the Truepress Jet W3200UV launched last year. A joint development between Screen and its subsidiary company Inca Digital, the Truepress Jet W3200UV HS is a six colour + white device designed to meet the demands of the POS, signage and decor markets today with the ability to print onto a wide range of rigid and flexible media up to 3.2 x 1.6m in size and up to a maximum 50mm thickness.
Durst has launched four new models, mainly faster versions of existing models. They include the Rho P10 HS Series, the Rho 312R roll to roll printer and the latest additions to the Rho 1000 Series plus a new Rhotex HS soft signage printer.
swissQprint presented a new large format printer the Nyala 2. This is now the largest, most productive and efficient machine in the Swiss manufacturer's product range.What is most noticeable about the new swissQprint flatbed printer is the visual similarity to its predecessor, the Nyala. The total machine size is in fact the same. Surprisingly though, the printing table of the Nyala 2 is 25% larger than its sister model at 3.2 x 2 metres.
EFI launched its UltraDro 7pL greyscale print head technology on its VUTEk GS series printers. It also had the European début of its H1625 LED printer, the first LED device in the entry-level wide format printer line. Highlight was the worldwide première of the Fiery proServer Version 6, a scalable and flexible digital front-end workflow
Mimaki showed off a new eco-solvent printer, the JV300. This will be available in 1.3m and 1.6m widths. It takes both eco-solvent and dye sublimation inks.
Agfa updated two of its Anapurna printers, including the M2050i, which gains new printheads making it much more productive. The M3200i RTR is a 3.2m wide banner printer, which was shown with dual roll capability for maximum efficiency and a new mesh option to print on mesh material without liner.
Roland DG had its flagship SOLJET PRO4 XR-640 operating with the new ECO-SOL MAX2 ink in white, metallic silver and light black.
The show is busy, with plenty of people milling around the halls and even more outside enjoying the warm sunshine and German beer. Neil Felton of Fespa reported 26 percent more visitors than the last Fespa Digital show after just the first two days, which is easy to believe given how hard it is to move around the show floor.