Star product: Screen Truepress Jet520HD

18 May 2015

Inkjet

The latest addition to the Truepress Jet520 range, the Jet520HD is designed for high-quality colour direct mail, brochure and book printing.

What does it do?

It’s a modular twin-engine inkjet web press that can print up to four colours on a 520mm web. The press is the result of collaboration between Screen, which was responsible for the paper transport, drying and system controls, and Ricoh, which supplied the inkjet technology in the form of its latest greyscale heads (although Screen will not officially confirm this). The heads boast a maximum resolution of 1,200dpi and support four droplet sizes down to 2pl.

The press runs at 50m/min at maximum resolution, rising to 120m/min at 600dpi. It has a monthly duty cycle of up to 50m A4 pages. While there are faster presses out there, Screen is pitching the machine at the high-quality commercial print market and states that it is the combination of image and colour quality and substrate flexibility that sets the machine apart.

Screen Europe vice-president, solutions and technology, Tim Taylor adds that the press can also print on coated offset papers but that this would typically require the machine to run slower due to the extra drying requirement if it’s not an inkjet paper. “One of the debates at the moment is around whether it’s better to print offset paper slowly or inkjet paper fast and that depends on things like the price difference of the paper, the cost structure in your organisation and so on,” says Taylor.

When was it launched and what market is it aimed at?

It was announced in September 2014 and its commercial launch was at Hunkeler Innovationdays in February 2015. It is aimed at direct mail and publishing applications where Screen says that previous inkjet quality has not been sufficient.

How does it work?

The Truepress Jet520HD is a four-colour inkjet printer, although the modular design allows for extra head units to be added in future. The single-pass configuration has a maximum physical resolution of 1,200dpi and dynamic variable drop size (with up to four grey levels). Duplex registration is automatic and an optional JetInspection camera system checks the whole page and compares the printed result with the RIP data, ideal for applications such as pharmaceuticals and security printing.

Screen says one of the key differentiators of the press is a new high viscosity water-based pigment ink, which enables the printer to minimise costs by using less ink than other inkjet technologies or to opt for the highest quality.

The drying system uses a combination of drum heaters and hot air. In-line finishing options include perforation and sheeting.

How does it differ from previous models?

Although a continuation of the Jet520 range, which Screen has manufactured more than 800 of to date, the Jet520HD features all new inks, screening, heads, drying techniques and paper transport.

Other new features include Dynamic Nozzle Shift (DNS), a new method of compensating for minute movements in the web. An optional cooling roller normalises paper that has expanded while passing through the drying unit of the first engine, helping to keep registration accurate.

What is the USP?

The quality, productivity and the range of inkjet paper, standard paper and uncoated paper substrates and weights it can print on, from 40-250gsm. “If you wanted a single USP at the moment it’s the print quality – it’s a step change from anything available at the moment,” Taylor states.

How easy is it to use?

Taylor says the press is very easy to use thanks to its intuitive touchscreen control. “You don’t have to touch anything – it’s all controlled from a GUI that allows you to do any manipulation that you might need to do,” he adds. “The Equios software that drives the press is completely integrated with the machine so the requirement for operator intervention is very minimal.”

What support is on offer?

Training and support packages can be customised to meet specific requirements.

How much does it cost?

Between £1.5m and £1.9m depending on options and configuration.

What is the sales target and how many installations have there been?

The market for the Truepress Jet520HD is relatively small (tens not hundreds) but Screen expects the increase in quality to significantly widen the potential applications. In Europe, there are machines installed at Nic. Oud in The Netherlands and Baumer in Switzerland.

SPECIFICATIONS

Max speed 120m/min

Monthly volumes/duty cycle Up to 50m pages per month

Max paper width 520mm

Paper roll diameter 1.3m

Stock weight range 40-250gsm

Drop size(s) Variable droplets automically generated

Ink Water-based pigment

In-line finishing options Integrates with leading finishing systems

Footprint 4x2m per engine

Price £1.5m-£1.9m

Contact Screen Europe 01582 725400 www.screeneurope.com