First is a new digital printer called HydrAton 1642, a 64-inch (1.62m-wide) roll-to-roll printer that integrates water-based UV print technology.
The manufacturer said this device represents a new technology segment, featuring “revolutionary” print/dry technology and a unique ink film formation process on the printed media, collaboratively developed by Mutoh Japan’s large-format printer R&D division and Fujifilm’s Aquafuze ink technology team.
Featuring two AccuFine piezo drop-on-demand printheads, the HydrAton 1642 can print on a wide range of substrates without the need of a pre-coat primer or optimiser, including paper, synthetic fabrics, technical textiles, heat-sensitive eco-friendly substrates, and PVC. Mutoh said prints would have a very thin ink film, a soft feel, and high scratch-resistance.
Fujifilm’s Aquafuze ink technology combines the benefits of UV LED and water-based inkjet technologies in one ink formulation. It features low-temperature drying and “excellent” jetting stability. The inks are low-odour and safety compliant.
Mutoh is also previewing its first roll-to-roll UV LED printer based on the XpertJet printer platform at Drupa.
The XpertJet1682UR is a dual-headed 64-inch printer that uses Mutoh’s environmentally friendly US61 series inks, available in C, M, Y, K, White and Varnish 800ml ink packs.
Featuring two eight-channel monoblock 1,440 nozzle printheads in a staggered setup and two four-inch (101.6mm) UV LED lamps, the device achieves print resolutions up to 1,440x1,440dpi.
It can also produce five-layer graphics without media pull back, ensuring “impeccable” print results.
Features include bi-directional alignment, media feed adjustment, remaining media tracking, and a nozzle area select feature that detects and compensates for missing nozzles.
Mutoh said the US61 inks are sustainable and meet the current and anticipated EU regulations on chemical use. They are free from SVHC1 and CMR category substances and are safe for operators. Compatible with a wide variety of substrates, the inks are said to provide “excellent” adhesion, scratch resistance, and flexibility, with an elongation of up to 200%.
Also at Drupa, taking place at Messe Düsseldorf from today (28 May) until 7 June, Mutoh is showing its XpertJet SR Pro 54-inch (1.37m-wide) and 64-inch sign and display printers, along with the Greenguard Gold certified, gBL-free MS51 sign and display inks.
For direct-to-shape applications, Mutoh is showing the XpertJet661UF A2+ sized desktop six-colour (C, M, Y, K, White, Varnish) UV LED device, printing directly onto objects up to 150mm, and the new XpertJet1462UF A1+ sized six-colour flatbed printer with moving gantry, offering a 1.42x0.72m table size.
For direct-to-substrate proofing applications, Mutoh is showing the ValueJet628MP 24-inch (0.63m) roll-to-roll printer and the ValueJet1628MH 64-inch hybrid printer with the MP31 eight-colour inkset (C, M, Y, K, Orange, Green, Blue, White).
These inks are said to offer a very wide colour gamut and precise colour reproduction and are described as “extremely stretchable and shrinkable”. The MP31 inks can also print proofs directly onto the final production substrate.
