The two new 42-inch (106cm) inkjet web presses, the HP PageWide Web Press T480 HD and T470 HD, run at maximum speeds of 244m/min and 183/min in performance mode respectively. The maximum speed is the key difference between the two models.
In quality mode both machines run at a maximum speed of 122m/min. HP claimed this mode enables dual drop weights per colour for sharper text, fine lines, accurate skin tones, smoother grade transitions, improved grain and enhanced highlight and shadow detail.
HP first announced its HDNA technology for its inkjet web presses in February. The HDNA printhead doubles the native print resolution of current HP inkjet printheads to 1,200dpi, delivered by 2,400 nozzles per inch, up from the 1,200 nozzles per inch on HP's previous technology.
The manufacturer said the new machines open new publishing, direct mail and general commercial printing application opportunities such as colour trade publications, posters and banners up to 2.74m long, as well as high-end retail brochures and catalogues.
HP worldwide director of marketing and business development IHPS division David Murphy said: “HDNA technology offers improved quality and productivity and users have the ability to produce greater addressability within the colour gamut with no tone break and very smooth halftone gradations.
“The industry knows these presses as the T-Series so we’re leaving the T in the name to provide continuity and reinforce the value of upgradability.”
Milan, Italy-based printer Rotomail Italia will become the first company in the world to install the T480 HD press when it becomes a beta site in November.
“We will then begin select availability of these presses beginning around Drupa [in May] and then general availability later on in 2016 as needed,” said Murphy.
The HDNA technology will be retrofittable to all current HP inkjet web presses from 2016.
“We always endeavour to keep the upgrade package, which includes the inkhead technology, software, firmware, data and electronics, to around 20% of the original hardware price,” said Murphy.
Separately, HP has also announced the availability of enhanced on-press colour management tools for the Indigo 7800 digital press.
The manufacturer said the software will eliminate the need for manual colour manipulations, ensure accurate colour matching on a range of substrates and provide colour consistency across presses and sites.
HP, which is due to become an independent publically traded company on 1 November, is set to divide into two separate companies on the same date and revealed the bosses heading up the new divisions earlier this month.
