The technology and design firm worked with Cambridge-based manufacturer Domino to create the enclosure, which fully seals the printer from dust and contamination. It retains strong print performance in extreme temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of harsh production environments.
The A520i, which was launched at Interpack 2014 in May, is Domino’s first continuous inkjet printer to incorporate a plenum airflow cooling system, developed by Cambridge Design Partnership, which ensures that both the ink system and the electronics stay cool in any production environment.
This removes the need for external cooling air connections, which some designs require, while allowing the new enclosure to be engineered to meet IP66 sealing requirements.
Domino project manager Curtis Boon said: “The A520i has generated a real buzz with our customers and we have created a product which fully meets their needs.”
The A520i’s TouchPanel user interface is a separate component that can be mounted either directly onto the cabinet or remotely to suit production line requirements and layout. The A520i can also be controlled via any Windows interface already on the production line.
According to Domino, the printer’s i-Tech ink system delivers the lowest measured consumption make-up on the market and low overall cost of ownership.
The machine also requires minimal operator intervention due to its CleanFill cartridges, which can be changed while the printer is running.
Cambridge Design Partnership supported Domino by developing key system elements including thermal and electromagnetic management and environmental sealing.
It used thermal modelling to virtually test a range of creative thermal management concepts and enclosure layouts to identify optimum ways of getting heat out of a high-performance but environmentally sealed product.
The team ensured that the ink refill was easily accessed by users while maintaining IP66 sealing and an EMC solution to meet the FCC Class B standard.
Cambridge Design Partnership senior mechanical engineer Matt Brady said: “As well as being designed specifically for harsh environments, the clean stainless steel aesthetic, stackability and flexibility in the positioning of the user interface means that end-users can fit the printer into their existing production environments really easily, minimising disruption, reducing cost and improving usability.”
Earlier this year Domino opened a new facility in Cambridge, to prepare for growth in its digital printing solutions wing. The firm invested around £1.8m in refurbishing and remodelling an additional 3,500sqm unit on the Bar Hill industrial park, also home to its main headquarters.
