At the recently concluded Hunkeler Innovationdays 2023 in Lucerne, Switzerland, Canon unveiled its next generation of high-speed web inkjet presses for commercial printing, the ProStream 3000 series.
This 558 mm wide series, which replaces the ProStream 1000, includes two models: the ProStream 3080 with a maximum print speed of 80 meters per minute (m/min), and the ProStream 3133 with a maximum print speed of 133 meters per minute.
Higher speed on thick media
These ProStream 3000 printers are designed to "the majority of applications, from direct mail, to books, to postcards, posters and calendars" says Canon.
"The big news about these web presses is their higher print speeds on thicker papers, compared to the previous range, explains Cécile Rodde, TDS product marketing manager at Canon Printing. The ProStream 3000 maintains its maximum speed on media up to 200 g/m 2 " (compared to 160 g/m 2 before).
A latest generation drying system
"This speed is made possible by the all-view press design. The first drying module, which is dedicated to the front side, is now shorter than the second dedicated to the back side. This allows the ProStream 3000 to optimize drying as the paper travels to the second print module. With this asymmetrical design, all jobs dry evenly and at a higher speed."
This system also uses air flotation along the entire paper path to preserve the surface quality of the printed output.
In addition, with this new drying system, the ProStream consumes less power for most applications, and can be connected to a lower voltage source. "This makes the ProStream 3000 series a practical choice that is perfectly suited to the electrical infrastructure of smaller printing operations."
200 compatible print media
The ProStream 3000 supports a wide range of media, including standard coated and uncoated offset papers as well as inkjet-optimized papers, with weights up to 300 g/m 2 .
"Canon's R&D teams are continually registering new compatible print media. Today, more than 200 papers have already been referenced for this machine."
This broader support allows high-volume, high-value jobs to be switched from offset to digital, according to Canon.
First ProStream 3000 installation planned in Italy
The first ProStream 3000 will be installed at Pixartprinting Group in Italy, joining the company's three existing ProStream 1800 printers.
Alessio Piazzetta, manufacturing manager at Pixartprinting, testifies: "Since their first installation in 2018, ProStreams have allowed us to optimize production by choosing the most cost-effective system, depending on the characteristics of each job. Their main benefits are higher productivity, better performance and the ease of use of this technology."
