In its 30th year as a national exhibition Sign and Digital UK will bring together 180 suppliers at the NEC later this month. Given that this is a magazine aimed at large-format orientated PSPs - not a stand-by-stand guide - we have flagged up some of the newest products relevant to this readership, and also provide a breakdown of the talks and seminars that will be free to visitors to the show. Here goes…
Where: Halls 17-18, NEC, Birmingham.
When: 28 – 30 March 2017
Times: 10am - 5pm, Tuesday - Wednesday
10am – 4.30pm, Thursday
Cost: Free. Pre-registration is available online at: www.signuk.com
Antalis Stand: C20
Antalis will create an American diner inspired stand for the show, where everything - from the walls through to light shades - will constructed from materials from its range of visual communications media.
Drytac Europe will use the stand of its exclusive UK distributor for the European debut of its Protac Anti-Bacterial film. This 6mil textured polyester laminating film is said to provide good resistance to abrasion, making it useful for exhibitions and POP displays as well as in areas where hygiene is a key issue. It is resistant to chemicals and many common household cleaners.
In addition, Antalis will be launching new hardware partnerships.
AXYZ Stand: F20
The latest Trident hybrid CNC routing and knife-cutting print finishing system will be shown to the to the sector. It has a three-pronged processing configuration (routing spindle and oscillating/tangential knife combination) to process virtually any flexible and/or rigid substrate. Other key design features of include a rigid steel frame construction, a live vacuum deck for maximum material hold-down, and an integrated helical rack and pinion drive system. It also incorporates interchangeable blade attachments that can be as long as 12mm to enable the processing of harder, heavier and thicker materials.
Blackman and white Stand: G10
The company will showcase a number of new technical developments on the Versa-Tech laser/router/knife cutter at Sign and Digital UK. These include: a new electric high oscillating speed knife unit; improved changeover from knife to laser; and a 60mm diameter creasing wheel, enabling users to crease all media board types, including corrugated material.
Graphtec Stand: D50
Expect demonstrations of the new FCX2000 series of flatbed plotter/cutters. They are available in three sizes (920 x 610, 920 x 1,200 and 920 x 1,800mm) and a choice of either a vacuum suction or electrostatic material hold-down facility. The plotter/cutters have a maximum cutting force of 9.8N and a maximum cutting speed of 400mm/sec.
Key design features of the FCX2000 include a cutting head incorporating two tool holders, the first of which holds a knife and the second a creasing tool. There is also a USB port to enable offline operation and to allow files to be saved and retrieved remotely and a barcode function that enables printed bar code and the relevant cutting data to be recalled from memory and cut.
The FCX2000 series also features Graphtec’s latest proprietary ARMS 6 (Advanced Registration Mark Sensing) system. And the plotter/cutter is also supplied with Graphtec’s new Pro Studio design and production software.
Hybrid Stand: E10
Mimaki’s new Tx300P-1800 wide format textile printer sees its UK debut at the show on distributor Hybrid’s stand. The 1.8m printer’s ability to run multiple ink sets means it can handle applications on manmade or natural fabrics.
InkTec Stand: J20
The new Jetrix LXi8 LED-UV flatbed printer will be introduced by InkTec. The 3.2m wide LXi8 can run at up to 206m2/hr and uses InkTec’s latest generation LED-UV ink. It is fitted with Konica Minolta printheads and has a top print resolution of 1,080 x 720dpi. It can handle media up to 100mm thick. The printer has a zonal vacuum system with automated pin registration, and is powered by dedicated Jetrix GUI.
InkTec will also be showcasing its latest inks, including additions to its eco solvent range for Mimaki and Roland printers. The company has also developed a new ink for specific printheads for Epson printers including the DX4, DX5 and DX7.
A new latex media developed specifically for HP latex printers will also be introduced. It is intended to be tacky without being sticky and can be re-applied. It is available in satin and gloss finishes.
Roland Stand: H30
Roland DG has added GR-640/540/420 vinyl cutters to its Camm-1 series which will be demonstrated the show. According to Yohei Shinomura, product manager of Roland DG’s digital printing business, the GR series has been redesigned from the ground up for increased accuracy, speed, media versatility and for improved cutting features. The redesigned cutting carriage, blade holder and other core mechanisms enable the machines to achieve a maximum cutting speed of 1,485mm/s and up to 600g of downforce for cutting through difficult media with a single pass. Models are available in 1,651mm, 1,397mm and 1,075mm cutting widths to allow users to pair them with the inkjet printers they are currently using.
Soyang Stand: C60
Soyang Europe will use this event to showcase new consolidated collections across print, self-adhesive, decor and textile media. It has added a raft of new materials to its collection, including several new backlit products for UV printing, to serve the lightbox market.
Trotec Stand: K40
Trotec will showcase its large-format SP2000 laser cutter for the first time in the UK. You will be able see how the unit, with its 1680 x 2510 mm working area, can process acrylics, wood and textiles for the signage, display and digital print industries.
Zund Stand: L10
Zund Plotting Systems will show a G3 3XL3200 fitted with the new 3.6kW Router (RM-L), a spindle featuring a pneumatic clamping system capable of routing materials at depths of up to 50mm and working with bits with shaft diameters of up to 10mm. It also features Zund’s Integrated Minimal Quantity Lubrication for processing aluminium or ACM and makes routing on uneven surfaces easy with compensation for material thickness. The new router is also compatible with Zund’s Automatic Router Bit Changer and an assortment of Zund router bits.