Digital print pioneer Xeikon has its biggest ever booth at drupa, using it to launch a batch of new solutions as it stakes its claim in the crowded digital market.
The Xeikon Trillium One has taken centrestage on the stand. A reel to reel liquid toner press, it can print 60mpm at 1200dpi. Xeikon also launched the 9600, a 195 pages a minute 1200dpi printer, that it calls the little brother of the successful 9800, which can print five over five and, says Xeikon, it comes with lower running costs.
The company has also launched the FDU flatbed die cutting unit, which it says completes the folding carton suite. Xeikon also ran its CX3 with Fusion Technology, the end to end platform for one pass label production.
Wim Maes, chief executive at Xeikon, says the Trillium One, slated for availability in Q2 next year, targets the commercial print market or for printers with multiple toner machines who want to simplify production. The Trillium One four-color press at drupa 2016, has a print width of 500mm; high resolution imaging heads, and toner particle size of less than two microns. Maes says it combines cost-effectiveness, high quality, and speed. Xeikon calls it the missing link in the industry for high volume direct marketing materials and publishing such as catalogues.
This year’s drupa, the first major show since Flint Group acquired Xeikon, sees the digital solutions company parked in Hall 8a. Meanwhile, Flint Group will have a presence in Hall 3, talking to visitors about its range of consumables; and in Hall 8a where an information hub will highlight the group synergies; and in Hall 8b with BasysPrint and Thermoflexx where together they will continue the conversation on the commonalities in prepress.
Danny Mertens, corporate communications manager at Xeikon, says, “Our drupa theme is Direct Dedicated Digital. Visitors to our stand will see that in action, with innovations across the board. This includes workflow efficiencies with our digital front end; the print engines themselves; our consumables; and our next-generation approach to finishing. Our stand at drupa has something for everyone in the printing industry and visitors are guaranteed to go away with new ideas about how they can expand their capabilities to drive profitability.”
A Trillium theatre on the booth stages five live daily demos. Visitors can undertake a Trillium virtual reality experience and take a peek inside the press to better understand its unique characteristics. Mertens says, “This is a cool way for people to get a good look inside the workings of the press and really gain a good understanding of its unique contribution to the industry.”
Xeikon says its toner capabilities, as part of production areas focused on labels, folding cartons and document and commercial printing, include its own-developed Tonnik, a liquid toner developed for Trillium One. The company says that Tonnik combines the advantages of dry toner in a liquid format, claiming that it will become the most sustainable, environmentally friendly and economical colorant for the digital printing industry.
The Xeikon CX3, has seen more than 20 systems installed since its September 2015 launch. The CX3 at drupa has a broad array of applications with inline finishing, delivering a speed of 30mpm, which Xeikon claims as the most productive five-colour digital label press in its class.
Xeikon is using its five-colour Xeikon 3500 to show folding carton applications. It says that, by using CMYK + Orange toners as an example, packaging converters can extend their colour gamut to achieve more than 72 per cent of Pantone colours. It has a variable width of 250mm up to 516mm;, runs at a top speed of 1600 B2 sheets/hour; and produces B2+ format . The production line includes a web varnishing module inline for spot and flood coating with UV and aqueous varnishes; a waste separator; and a stacker with a capacity of up to 450mm. This delivers a fully functional end-to-end configuration for folding carton printing.
Xeikon has also brought its own developed digital die-cutting unit for folding carton applications to drupa 2016. It says it developed this near line flatbed unit to enable customers to better complete in short run carton conversion with streamlined and responsive production. Mertens says, “The addition of the folding die-cut unit demonstrates Xeikon’s commitment to providing complete solutions. Working with our customers, we have seen that there is need for a solution to help speed up production. This unit is ideal for short run, fast turnaround work and helps to eliminate production bottle-necks.”
Xeikon’s 9800 prints on a range of untreated substrates ranging from 40gsm to 350gsm at a resolution of 1200X3600dpi with variable dot density. Using the variable data capabilities of the Xeikon X-800 front-end, this press offers application for high-end direct marketing work. At the show it has a roll-to-roll configuration to demonstrate economies and scale of production, with finishing by Xeikon Aura partner Hunkeler.
Xeikon says its Fusion Technology brings it close to a fully automated, unattended label and packaging production. It combines full-colour production printing with digital embellishment of labels and packaging in a single-pass, fully digital production process. The digital front-end takes care of prepress, data processing, colour management, press operation, as well as full control and operation of all embellishment modules without any manual intervention. Potential modules include hot and cold foiling; screen prints; matte, gloss and structured flood and spot varnish; and digital Braille.
The company says its Xeikon Color Control cloud-based service lets printers ensure repeatable, predictable colours and the best simulation of custom spot colors. It generates high quality ICC-profiles with special prefixed settings that are optimized for labels and packaging applications, document printing and book printing. Calculations are performed on the web server and communicated to prepress or production within minutes.
In response to customer requests for security features, anti-counterfeiting and brand protection features, particularly for applications such as tax stamps and vouchers, Xeikon has incorporated a growing range of digital security printing features into its hardware and software. These include taggant marked spot color toner. Taggants are microscopic chemical markers that can be added to the substrate or the toner itself, to allow various forms of verification and used for high security documents such as banknotes, identification documents and other valuable paper-based products.
Xeikon’s Services offering ranges from installation, setup and support, to a range of premium services that includes training and education, color services and business development training and advice. The company’s Aura partner programme brings all Xeikon partners together under a central umbrella. Customers benefit from a transparent overview of all tested and approved total solutions enabled through Xeikon’s extensive set of industry partners and certification process.
Mertens adds, “Aura gets stronger all the time and underscores the fact that we place great importance on helping our customers develop the most effective and efficient workflow process for their operational needs, whether components are manufactured by Xeikon or trusted partners. By partnering with the industry’s best, we can bring to market solutions that will benefit our customers, giving them the most efficient and effective workflow possible.
“We are excited to be bringing so many of our market-leading technologies to drupa 2016 with our new owners Flint Group. We are even more excited to meet existing and future Xeikon customers at this important industry event. Our expanded presence at drupa reinforces our dedication to showcasing how Xeikon customers can benefit from end-to-end productivity and increased profitability.”
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter
