What
is meant by wide format digital printing? Wide
format digital printing refers to digital equipment with a web width
over one metre wide. The latest superwide presses are capable of
producing prints up to 5 mtrs wide and have been specifically developed
for decoration of roll fed materials.
How
does the Eagle print quality compare/compete with digital laser
imaging systems on backlit applications?
The Eagle can produce print quality that is close to digital laser
imaging systems. The major difference being that the Eagle prints
direct to the material whereas the digital laser imaging systems
use a photographic film which requires mounting onto a carrier film.
This finishing step adds extra cost.
A good example of this would be the production of a backlit sign
where the product costs for the Eagle are approximately 25% less
than that produced using a digital laser imaging system. This cost
difference being the direct labour for mounting the print, together
with the higher material cost.
What
is meant by 'UV Curable'?
Until now the drying of digital inks involved the evaporation of
volatile solvent from the ink film, or the absorption of the ink
into specially developed substrates. Normally the process is assisted
by applying heat to dry the film.
With 'UV curable' inks the ink film changes from a fluid to a solid
by the action of Ultra Violet (UV) light via a polymerisation reaction.
UV light initiates a chemical reaction, which generates a matrix
of cross-linked materials providing a solid ink film.
What
are the benefits of UV curing inks when compared to solvent-based
inks?
The main benefits when using UV curable inks are; increased efficiency,
improved working conditions and benefit to the environment.
Uvijet ink once jetted sets instantly, which not only improves print
quality but also production speeds.
Because Uvijet inks do not dry until exposed to UV light there is
no risk of the ink drying during printing increasing the life of
the print head and greatly reducing downtime.
Uvijet inks are suitable for a wide range of uncoated media saving
both time and money.
Improved product resistance. UV curable inks are known to give superior
product resistance compared to solvent-based inks.
With solvent-based inks there is the potential hazard of inhalation
of the vapour. With Uvijet inks this inhalation problem is eliminated.
Finally, changing from solvent to Ultra Violet curing inks carries
an environmental benefit, due to the elimination of solvent emissions
to the atmosphere.
Are
there any limitations in using UV digital inks?
On thin gauge PVC UV digital inks are not as flexible as solvent-based
inks and may cause embrittlement problems if used for long term
applications.
What
is Piezo drop on demand technology?
Piezo (Piezoelectric) crystals are multi-composite materials which
when an electrical charge is applied change shape and as a result
eject a particle of ink from the nozzle. Hence the phrase 'Piezo
drop on demand'.
What
are the benefits of Piezo DOD vs. other digital print head technology?
This technology gives greater opportunity to the machinery manufacturers
as the ink is independent of the head firing process.
This benefit offers: 1.
Greater chemistry range from water-based jet drying to UV. 2.
Improved physical properties for digital inks. 3.
Speed, able to print faster. 4.
Greater resolution. 5.
Less maintenance of heads.
Due to the above Piezo DOD has become the standard for industrial
applications.
Other manufacturers have adapted roll fed digital presses to handle
rigid material. Doesn't this offer the user a better option than
just a 'flatbed'?
No. The modification of existing equipment is a direct response
to the market success of dedicated flatbed presses such as the Eagle
44.
Whilst the idea of having a press which can print both rigid and
flexible material seems logical.
The reality is that this equipment is not an effective method of
decorating either rigid or flexible materials.
The increased machine cost makes decorating flexible material more
costly. And the slower production speed achievable for rigid material
also adds cost when compared to that of a dedicated flatbed.
