PAT Technology Systems has teamed up with leading independent inkjet technology company, Xaar, to bring the world's first true digital UV-coating systems to market. Both new machines, the web-fed, semi-rotary converter/digital coater, branded Rotoworx, and the sheet-fed digital coater, named Varstar are the result of a 2-year development project and are the first commercial implementations of Xaar's revolutionary hybrid side-shooter (HSS) technology. Unveiled at Label Expo 2006 in September, Rotoworx enables digital print producers to maximize the advantages of digital printing. "Our digital coaters perform flood, spot coating, textures, variable gloss levels with a single fluid, and special effects without the need for plates - and require only a digital file," PAT's head of product development, Jamie Koehler said. "We're bringing coating into the digital age." Until now digital varnishing has not been feasible - existing technology did not offer the required print quality and reliability. However, having assessed the potential of Xaar's HSS platform, PAT recognized that it was now possible to turn this demanding application into a reality. The HSS platform combines advanced piezoelectric, drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet technology with Xaar's patented 'through-flow' (TF) technology, to provide unparalleled jetting reliability and to enable self-recovery - essential features for the commercial print environment. In addition, the new platform features Xaar's patented multi-pulse grayscale technology. This combination of high productivity in a single-pass and exceptional print quality is crucial to both Rotoworx's and Varstar's ability to deliver images, textures and special effects that were either impossible to produce or not cost-effective with traditional technologies. "PAT has developed a strong reputation for delivering creative solutions to the industry and we are excited to be able to support them in delivering digital inkjet technology to the coating and finishing world." said Chris Lynn, VP Sales and Marketing, Xaar Americas, Inc. "We believe this is an excellent demonstration of the benefits of HSS." "The project required very close collaboration between development teams, becoming a launch partner for Xaar's HSS technology was a key aspect to its success," commented Wayne Baird, President of PAT. "We gained real advantages from having early access to the company's latest innovative technology, which certainly enabled us to bring our product to market much more quickly." PAT's system uses the first printhead from the HSS family, the Xaar 1001, which will be produced at the company's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the UK and is scheduled for full production from the start of 2007.