The Manchester-based centre houses an R2000 as well as an application area. With an expansive range of materials in stock at Adapt, from boards and vinyls to roll media and inks, the company – which is part of Amari Plastics – said customers can tour the vast warehouse and explore the accompanying products that complement the hardware.
The 2.5m-wide Latex R2000, which was launched at Fespa in May, is HP's first hybrid to use Latex technology. It is designed to print at a lower temperature in order to allow for a wider choice of media, and a fluid overcoat has been added to the inks for improved scratch resistance.
The kit uses HP’s Latex White ink, designed as a "true, glossy white" that maintains its colour over time without yellowing. An offline rotation chamber is included to prevent waste when inks are not being used during jobs.
It also has a 14-zone vacuum belt and prints at up to 88sqm/hr on media up to 50mm thick and runs an automated optical system to correct for movement.
“This printing demonstration centre is the only location in the country where customers can experience the technology first-hand. A customer can come in and tell us what [substrate] they need, and we can just go to the warehouse and bring it in. They can see a real working environment in that respect,” said Adapt general manager Richard Barham.
“The technology has been very, very popular. All the early adopters we’ve got so far are saying the same thing – that it’s opening up new markets for them.”
A 1.6m-wide R-Series model, the Latex R1000, was launched in July and one of these machines will be installed next month at Adapt’s Reading showroom. An open house is planned at the centre in the third week of October.
Additionally, another R2000 will shortly be installed at the company’s support and training centre in Nottingham.
HP UK and Ireland regional business manager Phil Oakley said: “There was a rigorous process of selection to decide which partner [would become the exclusive UK distributor] and why.
“Adapt have made a considerable investment and were chosen because of their understanding of the detailed business plan of how this technology is going to change things over time.”
