Printweek Middle East & Africa

Domino picks Xaar 502 printhead for new outer case codersDomino has chosen to incorporate Xaar's 502 GS15 O printhead into the new 70mm C6000+ variant of its C-Series Plus piezo drop-on-demand outer case coders.The printhead, which was unveiled last November, incorporates Xaar’s PrecisionPlus and TF Technology and is said to provide OEMs with a fast, reliable and high-quality way to address the challenges of coding and marking. The C6000+, the largest variant in Domino’s C-Series Plus range, is a high-resolution, large-character printer that is used to mark porous and semi-porous substrates – such as cardboard boxes, trays, and bags – for identification, traceability and graphic personalisation. The machine is capable of printing TrueType fonts, graphics and GS1 compliant barcodes and provides a maximum print height of 70mm, making it suitable for direct coding onto outer case packaging. The 502 GS15 O printhead is said to offer highly accurate drop placement by utilising Xaar’s piezoelectric actuator design, PrecisionPlus, the benefits of which include a long throw distance and increased stability and robustness. With its optimised nozzle guard to support automated maintenance routines, the 502 GS15 O is suitable for use in harsh, demanding coding and marking environments. The TF Technology can be run in either full through flow mode or pulsed mode. This optional mode recirculates ink behind the nozzles during non-printing periods, which is said to ensure maximum reliability and performance, high energy efficiency and a long lifespan. Domino Printing Sciences OCC product manager Andy Barrett said: “Our customers look for consistently high-quality codes, reliable performance and high uptime. For our C6000+ printer, the new Xaar 502 printhead delivers on all accounts.” The 502 GS15 O printhead is compatible with a range of oil-based inks that are frequently used in coding and marking applications, including black mineral oil-free (MOF) SunJet IK822. This ink is designed for use on secondary packaging and is said to deliver high quality and optical density on a range of porous and semi-porous substrates. Its key benefits are its handling safety and its capacity for easy breakdown during recycling. “The Xaar 502 GS15 O is the pinnacle of 25 years of Xaar's investment in developing piezoelectric drop-on-demand printheads, ” said Xaar senior product manager Simon Kirk. “Today brand owners and retailers expect to be able to put larger, more detailed, more brand-orientated product identification text and graphics onto their packaging. “Another key driver for manufacturers is to have more control over ink usage while delivering higher resolution print on cardboard. This new wide-swathe greyscale inkjet printhead delivers the superb performance needed to achieve this.”

The Stock & Roll, which is commercially available immediately, can hold up to six rolls of up to 2m wide – accommodating both 2in and 3in cores, while taking up minimal floor space with its 600mm diameter. The option of extra roll splitters allows more rolls to be added, which enables users to double or triple their storage capacity. The device features a patented roll blocking system, which Antalis said ensures fluent mobility on all kinds of floor while its ergonomic, sturdy design is said to make it easy to transport up to six heavy rolls securely and then load and unload them easily. Antalis Visual Communications head of channel Chris Green said: “The beauty of the Stock & Roll is that, because it’s interchangeable and you can put different size rolls on it, you don’t have to worry about things falling over. “It has been designed to provide an innovative way for printers to store more rolls in a smaller capacity, all while being incredibly convenient to handle. For busy customers, the result is space optimisation, reduced downtime spent transporting different rolls individually and, in turn, increased productivity.” Green said systems capable of holding rolls wider than 2m could be sourced by Antalis if requested by customers. Antalis has launched a new compact portable roll storage product designed to make it easier to handle and transport rolls of large-format media.

Screen is set to launch two new UV inkjet label presses to expand its offering into food packaging and further strengthen its position within the digital labels sector.The Truepress Jet L350UV+ and the Truepress Jet L350UV+LM will be launched at – and commercially available from – Labelexpo, which will take place in Brussels from 25 to 28 September. The machines will replace the existing Truepress Jet L350UV system, which was launched in 2013. Screen said the new printers are a response to customer requests for digital label presses that can accommodate a wider range of substrates while maintaining the high safety levels required for food products. The L350UV+LM, which is aimed at the food packaging and pharmaceutical label production markets, uses newly developed low-migration inks that the firm said offered enhanced safety. This press includes a nitrogen purge mechanism for accelerating the curing of UV inks, which is said to further prevent ink migration and UV odour.

Creasing matrix and profile rubbers manufacturer C&T Channel Matrix has started stocking a full range of OEM specification die-cutter stripping components.Suitable for Bobst and similar machines, the range is produced by a German company on behalf of C&T and carries a ‘Made in Germany’ quality guarantee. The main components of the range, which is available with immediate effect, are aluminium stripping frames, three-, five-, seven- and nine-pin holders and precision engineered stripping pins, all of which are made to OEM specifications. C&T said the products are available from UK stock for next-day delivery. C&T managing director Simon Shenton said: “This isn't something that we've ever supplied before, usually you would buy these from the original equipment manufacturer. But we noticed that people were wanting an alternative so we had them drawn up and manufactured to the same specification.