Also targeted at producing one-offs in offset quality, the first press in the new range is the P5 250 HS, which will start shipping from April.

Durst said P5 relates to five core features at the heart of the new technology: productivity, reliability, workflow, versatility and print quality.

Features of the new technology include print volume capability in two-pass mode up to 240sqm/hr and high resolution modes of 1,200dpi, as well as offset printing quality with a drop-size of 5pl.

Also included is the new Durst Analytics information platform for pre-emptive maintenance and detailed machine and consumption data to guarantee maximum uptime.

Furthermore, the incorporated Durst Workflow is said to provide an in-house developed suite of applications custom tailored for Durst printers and with unique features beyond ripping.

The P5 range presses will also feature advanced user interfaces and remote service capabilities. Durst said everything has been streamlined to maximise performance and uptime of the range, which offers “unparalleled flexibility in media and job handling”.

Durst Group executive vice-president of global sales Barbara Schulz said: “We have taken a different approach with this development.

“Our customer base really expect to be integrated into the development at a very early stage now and that makes a lot of sense, especially since the wide-format space has become a very competitive area and people are facing huge complexities and lots of challenges.”

She added: “This is targeted at companies that really need high speed and very high quality at the same time. We have been able to improve the productivity compared to the P10 250 HS by 70%.”

The P5 range features the latest MEMS nozzle plates powered by Durst proprietary data-path and electronics.

“We have been working on a new printhead platform for a couple of years now, we are convinced that in a few years everyone is going to be using the MEMS technology,” said Schulz.

“We always take pride in developing our own electronics and this is the first time in 10 years that we have developed a new electronic platform, which combines the MEMS nozzle plates with brand new Durst electronics.”

Schulz said the P5 range is currently additional to Durst’s portfolio but that the company will eventually start to phase out some of the P10 models.

Durst will ship the first P5 250 HS to a Europe-based unnamed beta customer later this month. The manufacturer did not disclose pricing for the press.

Separately, Durst and Omet have also unveiled a new hybrid press targeted at high-performance label and packaging printing.

The Omet XJet integrates Durst’s Tau 330 RSC digital inkjet system with the Omet X6’s flexo stations and finishing and converting units, which include cold foil, hot foil, lamination, varnishing, die-cutting and slitting.