Minneapolis, MN - MacDermid ColorSpan, Inc., an innovator and leader in the wide-format color inkjet printer market, introduces a flatbed/roll-fed hybrid, piezo-electric UV inkjet printer, the DisplayMaker 72UVR. Developed as an extension to the highly acclaimed DisplayMaker 72s "Gator," the printer offers the ability to print on rigid sheets or flexible roll stock up to 73" wide. Designed around sixteen (16) 600-dpi Micro-Quad piezo-electric printheads, the 72UVR delivers true 600 x 600-dpi quality at print speeds up to 400 square feet/hour. Bruce Butler, director of marketing, stated, "At less than one-third the price of other flatbed UV printers, the DisplayMaker 72UVR sets a new standard for flatbed printing performance and value, combining production speed with award-winning quality, ease-of-use and low cost of operation." Butler went on to say, "Printing directly on rigid boards for POP displays and other signs reduces waste and saves considerable time and money when compared to traditional transfer or mounting techniques." When configured for printing rigid materials, two 36-inch (91 cm) x 75-inch (190 cm) roller tables are attached to the front and rear of the printer to accommodate sheets up to 60-inch (152 cm) in length. Optionally, two additional tables can be added for sheets up to 120-inch (305 cm). The tables can easily be removed for printing of roll-to-roll flexible media. The loading of rigid materials has been made easier in a number of ways. First, the 72UVR features a releasable pinch roller system for easy insertion. Once in place, the pinch rollers are engaged with a variable force adjustment to eliminate marks on more fragile surfaces. Pressing the load button causes the printer to use its integrated Automation Eye to sense the right, left and front edges while also checking for media skew. The characteristics of a particular media, such as head height, pinch roller tension, platen vacuum force are stored in the Media Wizard. When selecting a new media type, the Media Wizard walks you through the steps need to print on that media. Other Product Features Micro-Quad Printheads - Sixteen (16) industrial-quality, long-life piezo-electric printheads are configured as four interlaced heads using 384 jets per color. These 600-dpi printheads jet a micro-sized 30-picoliter droplet. The result is higher quality prints at lower production costs when compared to typical 360-dpi, 70-picoliter, 6-color printers. Production-Oriented Speed - Designed-engineered as a production sign system, the DisplayMaker 72UVR uses 16 piezo-electric printheads with 1,536 total jets. The printer boasts a print speed of 400 square feet (37.2 m2) per hour in its Billboard Quality print mode. In its Production Quality mode, the printer turns out 200 square feet (18.6 m2) per hour of quality, sellable graphics. A High Quality mode is also available at 100 square feet (9.3 m2) per hour. SolaChrome-UV inks - UV-curable, pigmented inks, available in cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each comes in a sealed 3-liter container that allows for easy, no-mess ink changes while protecting the ink from light exposure. SolaChrome-UV inks, which have no solvent odors, are designed for reliable jetting, low maintenance, extended head life, low cost of operation and long-term outdoor display life - 2 to 3 years depending on application. SolaChrome-UV inks cure instantly and print directly on inexpensive uncoated rigid and flexible substrates for durable, indoor and outdoor graphic applications. Advanced Automation Eye - Consisting of a high-resolution imaging sensor, colorimetric spectrophotometer, and embedded software, the printer automates the setup and calibration steps critical for achieving and maintaining print quality. AutoSet Calibration - analyzes dot placement of printed patterns and automatically sets the head-to-head alignment and bi-directional (bi-di) dot placement alignment to compensate for variable print speeds, head height settings and media thickness. AutoJet Calibration - eliminates banding in prints and extends the useful life of the printheads by mapping out jets that are not up to performance standards and compensating by using another jet in their place. AutoTune Scheduler - schedules the AutoJet calibration to occur during unattended print runs to ensure maximum print quality and minimize waste or reprints. AutoEdge Detection - uses the image sensor to aid in the loading of rigid materials by detecting right, left and leading edges. It also checks for and warns user if the board appears to be loaded askew. Linearization - the on-board spectrophotometer supplies color and density data to the external RIP’s color management software. The color management system then linearizes the color curves to ensure accurate and consistent color. Color Profiling - using the on-board spectrophotometer, the DisplayMaker 72UVR prints and automatically reads hundreds of color swatches to allow the RIP and ColorMark+ color management software to create custom ICC and ColorMark profiles for 3rd party media. Markets With its ability to print directly onto rigid display materials the DisplayMaker 72UVR is ideal for signmakers and print-for-pay service providers that produce indoor and outdoor POP and exhibit displays by greatly reducing their finishing and labor costs. In addition, the DisplayMaker 72UVR prints on flexible roll stock for the high-speed production of outdoor signs, banners, floor graphics, and other high volume work. Pricing and Availability The DisplayMaker 72UVR has a US retail price of $74,995, which includes installation and on-site training. The printer is available through MacDermid ColorSpan’s worldwide network of value-added distributors and resellers beginning in October 2004.