FESPA 2017 in full flow
It is day three of FESPA 2017 in Hamburg, and, as the halls once again fill with visitors, the new releases just keep on rolling in.
Thursday, 11 May 2017 10:52 GMT
Blackman and White chose FESPA 2017 to deliver the European launch of the award-winning VersaTech 2
One stand drawing the crowds with an exclusive unveiling was Agfa Graphics’. The firm chose this year’s FESPA to launch the LED version of its flagship Jeti Tauro wide-format printer.
This 2.5m-wide hybrid UV inkjet printer with an integrated roll-to-roll system features continuous and automated feeding of a wide range of flexible and rigid media. As of FESPA, the Jeti Tauro will rely on LED-curing technology as an alternative for the high energy-consuming mercury bulb lamps.
Reinhilde Alaert, product manager, Agfa Graphics, explains: “Equipped with UV LED lamps for the curing process, the Jeti Tauro LED comes with a number of economical and ecological benefits.
“LEDs have minimal heat output, for example, which allows for printing on thin heat sensitive media such as styrene sheets and rolls. They also ensure very stable bi-directional calibration and higher system up times (no warming up or cooling down time) on top of the significant power savings. All of that has a positive effect on the ROI of the system.”
LEDs have minimal heat output, for example, which allows for printing on thin heat sensitive media such as styrene sheets and rolls”
In addition to the revamped Jeti Tauro, Agfa Graphics’ stand also plays host to the firm’s new soft signage printer Avinci DX3200. Avinci is a dye-sublimation printer that Agfa claims produces high-quality, vivid prints for countless in- and outdoor applications.
Alaert continues: “Avinci DX3200 features 6 colors (CMYKLcLm) and impresses with its speed and print quality. Avinci has an enormous color gamut. Next to its state-of-the-art imaging performance, it draws attention with its excellent tonal rendering and fine detail reproduction.”
Another firm that chose FESPA as the event to reveal its latest machine to Europe is Blackman and White. The Versa Tech 2 won 2016 SGIA Product of the Year Award for finishing-routers/cutters, and was developed together with US print finishing solutions provider MCT digital.
Blackman and White claims the machine offers unprecedented flexibility as it can be fitted with a number of tools, including a driven rotary cutter, tangential drag knife, oscillating knife, and many more.
MTEX Solutions are topping the charts with three new releases of textile
printers: the MTEX Dragon, the MTEX Scorpion, and the MTEX Eagle
Managing director, Alex White, comments: “The Versa Tech 2 is simply the only all-in-one finishing system for today’s growing, fast paced wide format print industry. It can handle more intricate patterns than any other router or knife can achieve and its tighter job nesting reduces waste, directly improving our customers’ bottom line.
“It offers 8-12 times the throughput and productivity compared to manual hot knife cutting of textiles and as the laser seals the cut edges this also reduces costs on additional finishing such as sewing.
“We expect customers to be able to get full return-on-investment in under a year or as little as four to six months in a multiple shift operation. The Versa Tech 2 also operates at speeds when using the laser that allow it to keep up with multiple printers, so finishing should no longer cause a production bottleneck.”
All trade shows carry an element of competition between stands, and this year’s FESPA is no different. Not content with launching one or two machines at the event, MTEX Solutions has raised the bar to three new digital direct-to-textile printers.
Now we have total control over the design, production, manufacturing and testing processes, enabling us to develop cutting edge products that, once again, set the standards of the digital textile print industry”
The new machines are the MTEX Dragon 1.9m-wide roll-to-roll printer, aimed at the sign, display graphics and interior décor market; the MTEX Scorpion 1.9m-wide printer with the option of roll-to-roll or adhesive belt, aimed mostly at the high-end fashion markets; and the MTEX Eagle 3.2m-wide printer, predominantly aimed at the display graphics and home textiles markets.
Eloi Ferriera, chief executive of MTEX, explains the concept: “We are truly at the next wave of digital textile technology innovation. At MTEX we have invested millions in manufacturing and research and development facilities so we now manufacture everything in house, from the humble nut and bolt to the complete machines you see here today.
“Now we have total control over the design, production, manufacturing and testing processes, enabling us to develop cutting edge products that, once again, set the standards of the digital textile print industry. We are delighted to announce these products at FESPA this year and welcome customers new and old to our booth to find out for themselves just how cost effective these new machines are with our unbeatable ink prices.”
At the APA stand, car wrapping experts demonstrate the capabilities of the firm’s
latest adhesive “RepoTack Air Free System” technology
Finally, if you are not attending FESPA simply in search of a machine, or if you just fancy a bit of fun, head to the APA stand. The Italian manufacturer of self-adhesive films is unveiling its latest adhesive “RepoTack Air Free System” technology, designed to ensure ease of application, safe removal and a wide repositioning range.
At this interactive exhibition stand visitors can have a go for themselves, trying a series of wrapping applications on the test bench. A heat press is on hand for textile decorations, while experts in car wrapping entertain the crowd with live shows on how to redesign and customise a vehicle.
