The Inca Eagle H was introduced in 2002 at a time when UV inkjet and flatbed technology was new and when printers were still primarily investing in solvent-based platforms and were happy to post-mount and laminate jobs. It was aimed at runs of more than 300, a market Inca Digital had been tapping into since the company came into the sector in 2000.
Replacing the Eagle 44, the Eagle H was designed to increase throughput and, despite both machines looking identical, there were fundamental differences, such as the switch from Xaar to Spectra printheads. The manufacturer also focused its efforts on improving print speed and
image quality.
Printhead solutions
The imaging unit contains 16 printheads, each with 256 nozzles. A voltage is applied to the piezo crystal within the printhead, which changes its shape, squeezing the chamber to create an ink drop that is pushed out from the nozzle onto the substrate.
The £300,000 machine uses UV-curable inks, so there is no need for post-print lamination or coating as the inks dry to a scratch-resistant finish. It also allows for edge-to-edge printing, eliminating the need for trimming on many jobs.
The four-color, CMYK press prints directly onto rigid or flexible sheet materials up to 40mm thick. According to the manufacturer, it can ‘print and flip' to create double-sided graphics to within a 0.05mm of positional accuracy.
The low-waste machines can be upgraded to an extent, but not to the latest specifications. Hence, the majority of printers trade them in for its sister model - the Columbia Turbo.
Another reason for the switch, according to Tudor Morgan, marketing manager at distributor Fujifilm Sericol, is that the market demands have shifted since the introduction of the Eagle H.
"There were demands for greater productivity and a larger bed size, which resulted in Inca developing the Columbia," he says. "That set the market expectation for production speed, image quality and bed size."
However, very few Eagle H machines have been retired, according to Morgan, which "is testament to the build quality and reliability offered".
Around 60 Eagle H machines have been installed globally.Secondhand machines would normally be valued at anything between £20,000 and £40,000, depending on the service history and condition.
Spare parts are available through Inca or its local support representatives. Engineers are on hand throughout Europe to provide regional support. Inca says that if you are considering a secondhand Eagle H, you should inspect the state of the table and print carriage to ensure they are capable of producing good print quality.
Specifications
Max speed 87m2/h
Max resolution 600-1,000dpi
Printheads 16 piezo inkjet heads
Price Used: £20,000-£40,000
Weight 2 tonnes
Footprint 3,050x1,770mm
What to look for
Service history
Check printheads
