The Arizona 6100 MK II flatbed printer comes in four distinct models
Engineering excellence
Canon has been known for some time to produce high-quality products and at the 2022 edition of the FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin, the company launched the Canon Arizona 6100 Mk II; a new version of the well-respected and industry trusted flatbed printer.
The latest update to the flatbed range was launched at Fespa Global Print Expo in May 2022
As you would expect from Canon, the printer looks sleek and well designed, is low in profile, but looks expansive. The reason for the large footprint of the machine is the fact it can print on rigid sheets up to approximately 2.5m by 3m in size.
In more detail, the Arizona 6100 Mk II comes in four distinct models, each with a reason for being in the line-up. The two sub-groups are the 6160 and 6170 models, the difference being the former has six independent channels of six 636-nozzle variable droplet printheads per channel, 36 printheads in total.
The 6170 model has printheads arranged in seven independent channels of six 636-nozzle variable droplet printheads per channel, 42 printheads in total.
The main difference between the two combinations is that the 6170 model can print an additional colour, namely white. Both machines come with the normal selection of colours, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow along with a light cyan and light magenta.
What sets the Arizona 6100 Mk II machines apart from other large flatbed printers is Canon’s patented VariaDot technology. The premise of this technology is that the print heads can deploy ink droplets from six to 30 picolitres. This is not unusual for modern piezoelectric print heads, but what is different is how the Canon software can change the droplet size when required.
Canon’s VariaDot technology gives perfect control on droplet deployment, small dots or large, the technology decides for you”
There is a very simple explanation for this from Canon itself and the description the company gives is to try to picture the VariaDot technology as painting a room. You use a large brush when painting the main parts of the walls but when it comes to cutting into the corners or along any edges, you use a smaller paint brush.
The Arizona 6100 Mk II can print on rigid sheets up to approximately 2.5m by 3m in size
VariaDot technology is exactly the same. The printheads drop the ink in large 30 picolitres drops when a large solid area of ink is needed, but when finer detailed areas of the image needs ink, the ink droplets change to a much reduced size.
Overall this means the Arizona 6100 Mk II can print large images but where needed it produces 1,440 dpi photo-realistic print quality. Canon claims that print as fine as 6pt can be printed and is perfectly legible.
Tables for all materials
The second variation of the machines is the table which you can select for the 6160 or 6170 base model. The choice you have is either XTS or XTHF which give you two forms of securing substrate.
If you know most of your work will be mainly flat and rigid, then the XTS model is the version you will need. Should you have to include in your workflow more troublesome substrates then the XTHF is ideal for hard-to handle substrates such as corrugated board and other porous or warped media, making it particularly suited for digital packaging and point of sale applications.
Both tables come with five-pin registration systems on them to locate the substrate accurately on every occasion. Again there are differences between the XTS and XTHF table, the former has a total of ten pins making the registration of the substrate in two places. The latter has the same pin system but also has independent control on the pins for large board support.
The vacuum system again varies between the two table choices, the XTHF has an additional suction pump and all three are of high flow design meaning that they can cope with substrates which provide more challenges.
There are small changes in dimensions for the two tables available; the XTS can handle media 2,500 x 3,080mm and the XTHF can accept substrate 2,500 x 3,200mm in size.
XTS model printers can handle substrates up to 50mm in thickness and up to 34 kg/m², total weight at maximum size: 259 kg. The XTHF printers can take substrate up to 25mm thick but has similar loading capacity.
Excellence as standard
Despite the number of differences, there is obviously a lot in common with all the models, one of them being the top class engineering of the main architecture of the machine.
At the heart of this gold-standard engineering is the overarm and printhead support. The printhead itself is supported on a pair of rails which helps to reduce the size and height of the printer.
The head moves effortlessly from side to side on an air cushion bearing system which means there are no bearings or friction systems that can lead to wear. Although Canon offers a top-quality after-sales service in proCARE, given the design of the printer you are not likely to need it.
Statistics
- Inkjet technology: Piezoelectric inkjet
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Resolution: 1,440 dpi
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Production speed (High key): 220 m2/hr
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Production speed (Quality): 40 m2/hr
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Colours: C/M/Y/K/LC/LM/W
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Media size (max): 2,510 x 3,090mm (6160 XTS mk II)
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Media size (max): 2,500 x 3,080mm (6170 XTS mk II)
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Media weight: Up to 34 kg/m²
All the ink comes in swappable one- or two-litre pouches and the inks are all within the scope of GREENGUARD Gold which are certified for use anywhere, including retail environments, schools, hospitals and hospitality venues.
As an added advantage, the inks used in the Arizona 6100 Mk II printers and the printer itself are not only helping the end-user, but they have been designed to ensure the working environment is the healthiest as possible for the user of the printer.
The final point of engineering excellence is the cost of ownership. The models all come with low power consumption motors and pumps and Canon claims these new models use up to 50% less ink than other comparable printers.
The use of any Canon product is intuitive and easy, and combined with software such as PRISMAguide XL very productive. This software is a powerful design and workflow software application for the Arizona 6100 Mk II series and that simplifies and automates advanced print jobs, including added value making high-quality print files ready in an instant.
Canon can be relied on for producing excellent printers, the Arizona 6100 Mk II does not fail to impress.
Brian Sims Principal Consultant, Metis Print Consultancy, www.metis-uk.eu
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