The Colorado 1630 can be upgraded as amarkets and print requirements change
UVgel technology that grows
Canon has continued to expand its family of UVgel printers with the Colorado 1630. This particular model has a unique selling point (USP) in the ability to be upgraded as and when a market changes and a company decides to update and expand its print capacity.
Print-service-providers (PSPs) can select a base model, and should they wish to change or update the machine, all this is possible without a service visit or engineer being required. Remote connections to the machine make all this available to the end-user.
According to Canon, 60% of all large-format jobs are needed within twenty four hours, meaning work needs to be dry and packed directly from production. In addition, large-format print is commonly used to produce eye catching and colourful high-definition marketing and display products. Because of this, a unique printing process should be considered and as a result, Canon developed UVgel printing as a solution.
PAINTing and ‘pinning’
Canon developed UVgel technology to create a comprehensive printing process in response to increased productivity needs. The technology is also applicable to a wide spectrum of applications both indoor and out, enabling PSPs to use a maximum possible number of media substrates.
At the heart of the process is a UV-curable ink that at room temperature is a gel. When heated it transforms to a liquid and is then applied to the media substrate. In the final part of the process the ink is cured by UV light. In the case of the Canon Colorado 1630 by an LED UV light source.
The ink is applied through a piezo-electric print head which heats the ink and turns it from a gel to a liquid. Canon uses Piezo Acoustic Integrated Nozzle Technology (PAINT) which constantly monitors and compensates for nozzle failures during ink application.
The individual droplets are then applied via these heads to the media which has been passing over a heated platen, heated to 28°C. Once the ink hits the media it immediately returns to a gel and is 'pinned' to the media in a partial pre-cure. Finally the gel is fully cured under an LED curing head which gives the printed image a smooth, robust and high abrasion resistant product.
The UV drying process used in Canon’s UVgel technology means the product is dry immediately with the added bonus of only small amounts of heat build-up in the substrate due to LED drying. This significantly increases productivity levels without the loss of print quality and importantly the media retains its physical properties as it is unaffected due to the lack of heat.
UVgel technology means the product is dry immediately with only small amounts of heat build-up
Canon states that the uniqueness of UVgel technology and the ability to 'pin' each individual dot to the pre-heated media means in combination with PAINT, the dot quality can be controlled to very tight constraints. This control means waste ink can be reduced, print quality improved and the available colour gamut greatly increased.
24-hour turnaround
In addition to the machine’s ink technology, what other features have been designed to make sure the product reaches the client within the twenty -four-hour window?
Canon has made the Colorado 1630 very easy to operate and to help with production constraints, has made it possible to leave the printer running unattended and even remotely operated if needed. This gives PSPs the advantage of being able to use production hours that would normally be deemed as unavailable. The operator can track progress or status on a smartphone, tablet or computer.
The Colorado 1630 has been designed as a printer that can be increased in specification remotely as markets change”
With Canon’s PAINT technology, the printer itself monitors the quality of ink droplet, compensating for changes that are bound to take place over a long print run and giving the assurance PSPs need to leave a machine to run with the operator busy on other tasks or away from the machine altogether.
What’s more, with a printer width of 1625mm and a maximum roll diameter of 220mm, the amount of substrate able to pass through the machine is significant. The machine can handle rolls of up to 50kg and even with the Jumbo Roll Interface, operation is possible 24/7, 365 days a year.
Upgrade options
The basic format of the Colorado 1630 comprises of the roll-to-roll printer featuring the UVgel technology. This gives PSPs a wide range of production options but should they wish to expand that, there are a number of different figurations.
The upgrades are not dependent on each other, and as Canon highlights, can all be done without personnel being on site as it is all done remotely.
One of the hotly requested updates is the ability to print matte colours using Canon’s FLXfinish technology. This cost-saving patented technology will allow you to print velvety matte colours or glossy finishes depending on each client’s needs.
Should the requirement be higher production, PSPs can enhance the Colorado 1630’s remote operation with a second media roll capacity. This gives the option of changing the substrate and interrupting production runs as little as possible.
The Colorado 1630 has the ability to be upgraded with the ability to print on both sides of the sheet
As a third upgrade option, the Colorado 1630 can be upgraded with the ability to print on both sides of the sheet. Given the scope of these easy upgrades, it is easy to see how the printer would be of interest should you find yourself needing to deliver your wide-format work inside the aforementioned twenty four hours.
Attractive cost
Canon has ensured the cost of owning the Colorado 1630 does not make a major impact on your wallet. The company has a Japanese business and development philosophy known as ‘Kyosel’ which means living and working together for the common good.
As well as not breaking the bank, the machine is also designed to have as little impact on the world around us as possible. The UVgel technology has the internationally renowned GREENGUARD Gold standard meaning the inks and chemical impact on the environment is reduced and emissions are lowered making for a healthier workspace. The volumes of the inks themselves are also reduced by 40%.
The printers also come with internal filters which mean additional expensive external extraction is not required, reducing the floor space needed. Noise emissions and radiation are well below the already stringent standards and UVgel technology uses some of the lowest energy requirements of any of the printing processes.
With all of this in mind, overall, the Colorado 1630 will cost you less, but deliver you more.
Brian Sims Principal Consultant, Metis Print Consultancy, www.metis-uk.eu
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