Continuous feed inkjet

Continuous feed inkjet is the application area that enabled the widespread breakthrough for inkjet in production print. While this technology area has matured considerably, still considerable innovations are being made that drive up productivity, versatility, and lower downtime and cost.

Canon is bringing a raft of new continuous-feed inkjet presses to the market. This includes the ProStream 2000 series. The new printers are 20% shorter than a ProStream 3000 and should offer a better cost/performance ratio as well. However, the media weight is more limited to up to 150 gsm. There are two versions available, the 2080 and 2133 with a speed of 80 m/min or 133 m/min respectively. The printers have a web width of 558 mm. The ProStream 3000 Series, launched at Hunkeler innovationdays a year ago, was extended with another model, namely the ProStream 3160. The printer drives up the speed to 160 m/min. All the new models feature a new water-based polymer inkset for brighter reds and darker blacks – and possibly quicker drying properties. All the new models are available immediately and will be exhibited for the first time at drupa 2024. Additionally, the ColorStream 8000 series is expanded with two new models: the ColorStream 8200 and 8110. The new models join the ColorStream 8133 and 8160 launched in 2021. The 8200 sets a new speed record in the series with 200 m/min, which equates to 2,692 A4 images/minute. The 8110 on the other hand is a new entry solution to the 8000 series with a speed of 110 m/min. Like the first 8000 series models, the new printers have a native 1,200 dpi resolution and use water-based polymer inks. All presses support auto-splices.

HP is showing the PageWide Advantage 2200 after the launch in 2022 and the device received some upgrades. In Economy Color Mode the press achieves now 800 fpm / 244 m/min, the same speed as in mono print. This color mode is 60% faster than the 500 fpm / 152 m/min quality mode. The 2200 now also offers MICR capability. The paper range was extended to 40 up to 320 gsm for uncoated and coated paper. Finally, some software upgrades will be released: The PageWide Smart Workcell Controller and Print Quality (PQ) Maestro are set to improve overall productivity and quality.

Also shown before, the Kodak Ultra 520 received some upgrades for drupa 2024. The press uses Kodak’s UltraStream technology and is printing at 600 x 1800 dpi. Between announcing the press and making it commercially available Kodak did a major overhaul on inks and primer. Primer is optional on the Ultra.

Fujifilm was active in continuous feed inkjet in the past, mostly in the former Fuji-Xerox territories in Asia-Pacific and to some extent with the Jet Press 540W worldwide. However, the CF presses were not actively marketed anymore for a while. Fuelled by setting up a global sales network for digital production print solutions, Fujifilm is launching a new continuous inkjet press: the Jet Press 1160CFG. At the first presentation, Fujifilm pointed out a new paper stabiliser module to overcome problems with the paper. It is located in a separate big cabinet after unwind, before print towers. The press is targeted at commercial, high-quality applications and supports coated and uncoated paper. It prints at 1,200 x 600 dpi resolution at a speed of 160 m/min or 1,200 x 1,200 dpi at 80 m/min. The printer also uses a newly designed high-concentration pigment ink. With a width of up to 520 mm and a paper range of 64 to 250 gsm the 1160CFG falls within the mainstream of 2-up presses.

Announced late in 2023 Ricoh is showcasing the new Pro VC80000 at drupa. The press builds on the Pro VC70000 and has a number of improvements. While the top speed did not get faster, crucially the VC80000 achieves the top speed of 492 fpm / 150 m/min at a higher quality setting of 1200 x 600 dpi, which is 50% than the VC70000 at that resolution. At 1,200 x 1,200 the press runs at 305 fpm. In addition, the VC80000 features a wider media range and a wider width with 23”. The press is more automated with inline colour control and auto-splice support. It is the first Ricoh press developed with Miyakoshi as development partner, instead of the long-time collaborator Screen. While the first two Pro VC80000 are already installed, drupa 2024 will be the first public presentation.

New at the show will be the TruePress JET 560HDX, the latest development from Screen. In a similar move, the press got wider (560mm/22”) and faster at a higher quality setting of 1200x600 dpi with 150 m/min (492 fpm). At full 1200x1200 resolution, the HDX prints at 100m/min (328 fpm). Screen partnered with a new exclusive print head supplier, turning away from Ricoh heads and Screen will be the sole supplier of this model. The press features a new SC2 high optical density ink. Screen also announced a highly automated “unique” head cleaning system, an integrated spectro, and full web scanning for quality control. A new dryer has independent drying zones for uneven coverage across the web.

Cut-sheet inkjet

A3/B3 cut-sheet inkjet

Inkjet news from Canon were not confined to continuous feed. Shown for the first time outside Japan, the VarioPrint iX1700 will be exhibited at drupa. The printer achieves a 170 ipm (A4) or 73 ipm (A3) speed. Targeted is high quality with a 2,400 x 1,200 resolution, and support for coated and uncoated paper by using new polymer inks and a conditioning liquid. The printer aims at the market below the VarioPrint iX3200 and above the high end of the toner imagePRESS series. Customer availability is planned for 2025.

Kyocera announced the TASKAlfa Pro 55000c already in 2023 and displayed the press at Printing United in the US, still, drupa will be the first opportunity to see the new press for a wider audience. The printer builds on TASKalfa Pro 15000c launched in 2019 with a new paper path, drying, and inks sourced from Screen. The printer features a higher resolution of 1,200 dpi and support for coated papers without primer due to the Truepress ink SC+ technology. A mono mode with head capping was added.

Development partner Screen will show its version, the Truepress JET S320, at drupa as well after announcing it last year.

B2 cut-sheet inkjet

Fujifilm did not announce a new JetPress (JPress in the US) model but will show some improvements to the JetPress 750S, although they have not been specified yet.

Komori announced the J-throne 29 B2 Sheetfed UV Inkjet Digital Printing Press, a 29-inch B2 sheetfed LED UV inkjet digital press that can print up to 6,000 sph simplex and is able to perfect. Supported are substrates up to 600µ in straight production or 450µ in duplex. The four-colour press has a resolution of 1,200dpi, and it can run coated and uncoated paper with no pre-conditioning required. Ink used to be sourced from Konica Minolta, but Komori’s plan is to introduce its own ink for this model. The imaging unit is already sourced from a different supplier. Commercial availability is expected in 2025.

Konica Minolta is launching the new AccurioJet 60000 at drupa 2024. The UV inkjet press is an extension to KM-1e, targeted at higher volumes with 6000 B2 impressions/hr. Unlike with the KM-1, Komori is not involved in the paper transport and the press will be sold by Konica Minolta only.

Finally, drupa 2024 will grant the first opportunity to see the long-announced B2 inkjet press from Ricoh, the Pro Z75, in operation. It is the first aqueous, perfecting, B2 inkjet press and is printing 4,500 B2 images/hour at 1200x1200 dpi resolution. The Z75 uses Gen5 Ricoh heads (like the VC70000). It can handle uncoated and offset coated media up to 400gsm with a maximum sheet size of 585mm x 750mm and features multiple input trays.

B1 cut-sheet inkjet

Landa is upping its offerings in B1 inkjet with the Landa S11P. The press is based on the S10P and besides including several improvements the press received over time, it crucially offers an optional 11K Module to reach 11,200 B1 images/hour. Another option is the PrintAI module that allows for 1,200 x 1,200 dpi imaging. Most other specs like paper sizes, weights, colours, or coater are unchanged compared to the S10P. An upgrade to 11,200 is possible but only for the latest installed S10P with IR drying module.

The has been no announcement by Komori, whether the NS-40 will be offering the higher speed at drupa 2024 and it seems that the device is not being shown at the booth.

MGI will show the AlphaJET at the Konica Minolta booth with several upgrades and new options.

Part two of the inkjet announcements at drupa 2024 will follow soon and highlight news in label and packaging print, printbars, inkjet heads & inks, and other supporting technologies.