Hybrid production is gaining ground in sign shops. With great fanfare, Mimaki launches the UJ330H-160, a 1.60 m hybrid UV printer. The Japanese manufacturer is organizing a series of events across Europe to present this new equipment, which combines printing on rolls and rigid substrates.
Arjen Evertse, Sales Director at Mimaki Europe, explains: "In today's printing industry, companies need to be more agile than ever. They need to deliver a variety of applications with short turnaround times and impeccable quality, often in a limited production space. With the UJ330H-160, we offer a hybrid UV printing solution that lets customers do more with a single system, without sacrificing performance."
For flexible media, the UJ330H-160 is equipped with a conveyor belt to stabilize media feeding. The printer handles a variety of media, including thin window film, textiles, vinyl, soft PVC and synthetic leather.
For rigid substrates, the machine incorporates a vacuum table and stabilizing rollers. It handles substrates up to 50.8 mm thick, such as aluminum composite panels or foam sheets.
The printer uses ELS-170 UV LED inks, formulated without SVHC or CMR substances. The set includes a transparent ink for gloss, matte or textured effects. UV LED technology eliminates pre-heating time. Printing and finishing can follow on from each other with no drying time.
Its maximum productivity is 14 m 2 per hour with white ink activated. The device incorporates automatic adjustment functions to maintain printing conditions.
The UJ330H-160 uses the same print engine as the 330 series, which, according to its manufacturer, offers homogeneous gradations and high-density white for backlit applications.
The RasterLink7 RIP is combined with the machine to manage UV effects. The cloud-based PICT tool provides real-time production monitoring.
In France, the printer will be presented in Paris at Mimaki France from April 14 to 16 and at Ovol France from April 21 to 23, as well as in Lyon at Magentiss on April 2.
