Graphics Works invested around £250,000 in the roll-to-roll hybrid Acuity along with a Canon Océ Arizona 2260 XT flatbed, becoming one of the first UK companies to take the Arizona. Both machines were installed at Graphics’ 600sqm Milton Keynes premises late last year.
Managing director Peter Barham first spotted the Acuity at Drupa, when it was launched. He was torn between it and a machine from a rival manufacturer, opting for the Acuity due in part to its 3.2m-wide capability and fast production speeds, which have been integral to the capacity boost. Graphics already runs four Acuity LED 1600s.
“We needed the extra width. We had 2.6m solvents previously but we wanted that extra, we wanted UV and we wanted a very versatile machine to have equivalent versatility to the smaller Fuji 1600s,” said Barham.
“We like to be very experimental, really. We like to be one of the first to take new technologies and we enjoy working with manufacturers as an early adopter of new machines.”
Barham said Graphics extensively trialled both the Acuity and the rival manufacturer’s machine and that its pre-existing relationship with Fujifilm was a factor in the decision.
The outfit has been taking advantage of the 3200R's dual-roll capabilities to free up the 1600s for work on higher-value creative work and sampling.
“A lot of the wide machines are geared up for big rolls only, whereas this has the same feed and take-up spools as the smaller machines, so you get the best of both worlds,” added Barham.
The Acuity can handle two reels simultaneously to a combined weight of 100kg and has a top speed of 110sqm/hr. It has eight ink channels as standard (CMYK plus light cyan, light magenta, white and clear) which utilise Fujifilm's Uvijet ink range. The instant-curing UV inks allow for multi-layer printing and the clear ink means high-gloss spot varnish effects can be created.
Barham said the Arizona, which replaced an outgoing older Arizona flatbed, had been “brilliant” so far and was allowing Graphics to take on jobs using a wide cross-section of rigid materials.
The Arizona has a rigid bed area of 3,080x2,500mm, with roll media option. It uses Onyx software and offers CMYK plus white option printing at a maximum speed of 63.4sqm/hr in express mode and 38.1sqm/hr in production mode.
Along with the Arizona and the five Acuities, 10-staff Graphics also runs two Mimaki solvent printers, a Zünd G3 cutter and has finishing facilities.
