Apex is the official UK distributor for Ryobi and the Japanese press manufacturer's LED-UV curing technology will take a starring role on its 25.5sqm stand (S5-F451) near the Eco Zone area of the Excel's South Hall.
First shown at Drupa 2008, Ryobi’s LED UV technology has since racked up more than 40 installs in Japan and several in Europe, while UV-cured inks are now available from eight vendors (compared to one back in 2008) and have "come down considerably in price".
Apex Digital Graphics managing director Bob Usher said: "Four out of every five Ryobi presses sold in Japan have LED-UV on them - it's tried and tested technology and the new version can dry and cure a much wider range of substrates, including plastics."
While Apex will only have a mechanical device that demonstrates how the technology works on its Ipex stand, it has ordered a Ryobi 755 equipped with the latest generation LED-UV curing unit for its Hemel Hempstead showroom, with delivery expected in July.
Open house events will be held in July and August to showcase the LED-UV technology, which will also feature as part of the annual Print Efficiently show in the autumn.
The eco benefits of the LED-UV unit include reduced power consumption - around 75% lower than conventional lamps - and the fact that LED curing doesn't generate any ozone.
"The lamps also last up to five times longer than conventional lamps; they last for 15,000 hours," said Usher.
On the pre-press front, Apex will show the Mitsubishi Violet DigiPlate (VDP) low-chemistry B2 polyester CTP system that it debuted at Print Efficiently 2013 last October.
The violet CTP unit punches, exposes, washes and dries plates from a roll of polyester material at a rate of up to 20 B2 plates an hour at 2,540dpi or 40 plates an hour at 1,270dpi.
Apex sales and marketing director Neil Handforth said: "The Mitsubishi VDP platesetter is the first professional standard low-chemistry B2 polyester imaging system in the world.
"Our first UK installation is currently underway, and we are convinced that any litho printer with a view to environmentally friendly production will be looking for a demonstration and further information on this unit."
Finally, the firm will also show off the digital production capabilities of the Konica Minolta C6000. "Digital has swept through a significant amount of the B3 format market in recent times," said Handforth.
"The Apex digital focus concentrates on the areas that printers still hold dear to their hearts: print quality, the ability to match output to litho print, and excellent technical support."
