Fujifilm Uvistar Pro8

What does the machine do?

Launched at Drupa 2012, the Uvistar Pro8 has been developed in combination with Fujifilm’s new Uvijet QN inks. It is geared towards the production of super wide-format print for display point-of-purchase (POP) and outdoor advertising on flexible and rigid media.

How does it work?

Using the company’s brand-new Uvijet QN inkset, the Uvistar Pro8 has eight colour channels, which can be run either 2xCMYK for speed or, if required, in high-quality eight-colour mode.

Fujifilm says the eight-colour inkset will deliver improved image quality, enabling super-wide print for use in indoor exhibition and display graphics.

According to the manufacturer, switching to eight-colour production only takes five minutes and opens up a raft of sign, display and POS applications.

Kevin Rhodes, marketing manager of inkjet systems at Fujifilm Europe, says in addition to a new auto-mated media handling tool for substrates up to 3mm, a backlit camera system learns how your chosen material travels through the printer. This predicts the movement steps through the process ensuring accurate registration for double-sided printing.

How does it differ from the manufacturer’s other models?

New features on the Pro8 include a full set of light colours within the inkset, which Fujifilm claims increases print quality without compromising speed.

Other improvements to the design include: an automated media handling system for rigid media; a fully automated backlit printing option; and the ability to switch between four- and eight-colour printing modes.

“Since launching the Uvistar, it has been incredibly successful in a short space of time. Now we want to broaden the reach of the machine to indoor, as well as outdoor, applications,” says Fujifilm group marketing manager for wide-format Tudor Morgan.

In addition to a new user interface, which features a touchscreen to activate various parts of production from a series of menus, the Uvistar Pro8 features a media-management tool.

For example, when printing in roll-to-roll production, the machine records how much substrate is left on the roll and then prints this figure on the outer of the print.

What is the USP of the Uvistar Pro8?

One of the major advancements of the Uvistar Pro8 platform is the inclusion of a complete set of light colours within the inkset, which increase quality without compromising speed, says Fujifilm. Together with its unique Parallel Drop Size (PDS) technology, this allows the Uvistar Pro8 to produce high-definition display POP graphics at speeds in excess of 300m2 an hour.

According to Fujifilm, the printer has been designed to meet an increase in demand for indoor applications, where viewing distances tend to be closer and rigid materials are more commonly used.

The Uvistar Pro8 will not replace the manufacturer’s existing Uvistar model as, according to Morgan, “not all printers need tables or eight colours”. 

How easy is the Uvistar Pro8 to use?

Fujifilm has built the new machine with a raft of features that it claims promote ease of use and flexibility for the user. Optional automatic media load and unload tables for rigid media handling mean the media sheets are held by vacuum suction and dedicated drive rollers and print head height is automatically set accurately to the media. And, for uninterrupted production of wide-format graphics, the Uvistar’s media load and unload system is “very simple, with quick roll changeover”.

In addition, the printer’s multi-roll feature enables the operator to work simultaneously on up to three rolls, each up to 1,600mm wide.  


SPECS

 

Print width 3m and 5m

Speed Up to 275m2

Colours Eight (including CMYK, light cyan, light magenta)

Rigid media handling Up to 25mm

Price 3.5m with mid-range flatbed option, inks, warranty and RIP: $395,000

Contact

Michael Liveris, michael.liveris@fujifilm.com.au, 1300 650 504


The Alternative

EFI VUTEK GS3250 UV

This 3.2m-wide flatbed and roll-to-roll UV printer is claimed to deliver “superior photo-realistic quality and high production speeds”. The machine, which can print in up to eight-colours plus white, can switch between flatbed and roll-to-roll operation in under a minute. Options include grey-scale printing, continuous board and LED cool-cure technology (GS3250LX). 

Print width 3.2m

Resolution Dual resolution: 600dpi (24pL) or 1,000dpi (12 pL) selectable.

Speed Fast-5 production: 223m2/hr Eight-colour plus white: 111.4m2/hr

Colours White-printing capability allows printing white in six variations (overprint, underprint, spot, underspot, fill and overspot)

Price From $550,000

Contact EFI 1300 289 875

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