At the Labexpo trade show held in Brussels, Belgium, from September 11 to 14, Domino Printing presented the N610i-R digital upgrade module. This equipment enables digital printing technology to be added to existing flexographic lines.
"The technology transforms existing presses into fully-functional hybrid printing machines at a fraction of the cost of a brand-new hybrid printing press, says Mike Barry, Key Account and OEM Manager for Digital Printing at Domino. It also delivers additional cost savings through the use of existing tooling stocks, such as plates and cylinders, and allows converters faced with space constraints to add new features without losing space."
With the addition of digital technology, processors can produce different versions of a product from the same base, with digital technology adding the different elements.
The N610i-R, a 330 MM inkjet module in CMYK plus double white
With a print width of up to 330 mm, the N610i-R digital upgrade module is available in four colors (CMYK) and four colors plus double white. Double white offers a high opacity white (72%) comparable to screen printing.
The module reaches 50 m/min in high quality mode and 70 m/min in fast mode.
"Hybrid printing with the N610i-R combines the strengths of flexography, such as spot colors, lamination, die-cutting and varnishing, with the speed and flexibility of digital, allowing converters to create multiple versions without stopping the line."
Domino's "intelligent" features are integrated into the module, including Actiflow (for continuous ink circulation), CleanCap (for automatic nozzle cleaning) and StitchLink (for printhead module alignment).
Both color versions are available with UV90 and UV95 ink sets. Complying with Nestlé, EuPIA and Swiss food packaging ink regulations, the UV95 ink set is suitable for a wide range of non-contact food packaging applications.
