The K630i is an updated model of the Graph Tech (Switzerland) MonoCube product. That machine was first released in 2012, just before Domino, already a shareholder, acquired the remaining shares of the company. Kern also distributes the MonoCube in the US under the name, iMpres.
This is the first time that the device will be available under the Domino brand and marks the firm’s entry into transactional, direct mail and book printing applications.
Domino Digital Printing Solutions Division director Philip Easton said: “The K630i is a natural progression in digital printing for Domino after launching the K600i digital module in 2010 and the four-colour N600i digital label press in 2012, now available as the N610i in up to seven colours.
“The K630i is based on the same proven technology that has seen both these products take leadership positions in their respective markets.
“We’ll potentially be competing against the likes of Canon, Ricoh and Xerox but their focus is much more on colour and we’re trying to make the best printer for doing monochrome."
According to Easton, this model features improved drying capabilities, which enables it to print on a wider range of substrates with aqueous inks. Material handling has also been improved, which Easton said gives a better control over tension and a higher print quality consequently.
The machine is configured for 75m/min or 150m/min with print width options of 333mm, 445mm or 558mm as either simplex or duplex in the same frame.
It is supplied with the modular Domino Editor RIP digital front-end, which includes support for PDF, IPDS and AFP data formats, and is offered with either aqueous pigmented ink or high-impact UV ink.
“We’re offering UV-curable largely for direct mail. What we’ve seen in that market is that there’s been a huge push towards glossier substrates, which is not possible with aqueous inks. It’s about trying to be a bit different in some way and this offers that,” said Easton.
“Transactional mailing houses wouldn’t have a requirement for UV-curable inks because transactional documents tend to typically be printed on coarse materials."
Domino’s pigmented aqueous ink, AQ90BK, was launched last year. It has high optical density but is also designed to limit show-through for low-grammage materials. There are no click charges and the ink is sold in litres.
“For aqueous applications, we strongly recommend printers look at the business model associated with monochrome inkjet. It offers the simplicity and reliability compared to toner and, we believe that, in most cases, this represents the lowest cost per page solution,” said Easton.
“In a market where the printer sells on one cost-per-page and effectively incurs print costs at another, the Domino K630i often delivers the most attractive profit position.”
The K630i also includes Domino’s i-Tech intelligent technology features, which are designed to optimise printer performance and maintain high productivity.
Depending on the specification, prices for the K630i range from £230,000 to £560,000 for the standalone printer or from £260,000 to £630,000 for the complete system, which includes all of the hardware and the RIP but excludes installation and commissioning costs.
