SPRING LAKE, Mich. – Polycem LLC, known for its innovative Betona flexible concrete tiles, has acquired a Durst Rho 800 HS Large-Format Flatbed UV Inkjet Printer to bring the highest available image quality and productivity to the creation of its remarkable one-of-a-kind printed tiles.

Polycem’s proprietary Betona lightweight concrete tiles are made in Michigan and comprised of 50 percent recycled glass from fluorescent light bulbs.  Designed for the designer, Betona tiles can be produced in any color and display any artwork – which means customization is standard and design options are limited only by the imaginations of the client and Polycem design staff.

The company’s search for a production-level printer that could deliver total creative freedom, higher operational efficiency and minimal environmental impact ultimately led to Durst.  “The Rho 800 HS represents a significant upgrade to our printing process,” said Jameson Goorman, President of Polycem.  “It gives us the best available technology to substantially improve our ability to deliver the most creative tile designs at very good prices and on very fast turnarounds.  Our team of designers comes up with some visually stunning tiles for our customers.  Now we can do a better job executing their designs, and do it much faster.

“In addition,” Goorman added, “we’ve learned that Durst printers leave the smallest possible environmental footprint in terms of their manufacturing processes, energy consumption, VOC emissions, ink chemistry and minimal waste.  That fits perfectly with our ‘green’ philosophy.” 

Rho 800 HS

To satisfy Polycem’s demands for precision printing, the 98 inch-wide Rho 800 HS comes with Durst’s proprietary Quadro^® 30D Array print heads, which incorporate an astounding 2,048 nozzles per color.  Ink temperature is accurately regulated across the entire nozzle plate, and a Point Drop Setting regulation system delivers ink in precise measure.  These technologies work together to enhance image sharpness, color accuracy, ink adhesion and print speed.

The Rho 800HS prints on very wide panels or multiple narrow panels across its total 98-inch width, on materials up to 2.75 inches thick at a top speed of more than 2,000 sf/hr.  The printer is equipped with Durst’s advanced touch-screen workflow software, and a “continuous printing” capability that helps achieve blazing speed and highest efficiency while delivering exceptional image quality.