Fujifilm is previewing a new Acuity Ultra Hybrid Pro with automation options at Drupa, where it is also previewing a 1.6m-wide Acuity Triton printer based on its new Aquafuze ink technology. A number of other product introductions, technical developments and partnerships have also been announced.
The Acuity Ultra Hybrid Pro offers a 3.5 picolitre drop size achieved with a double size carriage, and print speeds in excess of 600m²/hr. To support high-volume production, it can be seamlessly integrated with a new automation loading/unloading system designed for handling rigid materials, allowing a single operator to run the machine for a full pallet-to-pallet process. There is an option for half or full automation.
The technical preview of the new Acuity Triton follows the earlier announcement of the water-based UV patented ink technology Aquafuze. The printer hardware is manufactured in Japan by Mutoh, with the Aquafuze ink developed and produced by Fujifilm. This combines the benefits of UV LED and water-based inkjet – it offers low-energy, low temperature drying compared to traditional water-based print systems and adheres to a wide range of media without the need for a pre-coat primer or optimiser. Prints have a thin film, that is scratch-resistant and does not require a top-coat.
At Drupa, Mutoh itself is previewing a 64in-wide roll-to-roll printer called HydrAton 1642 that integrates Fujifilm’s Aquafuze water-based UV ink technology.
Fujifilm has also revealed a Smart Flow workflow concept aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of printing companies. There are three versions – Smart Automation, Smart Production and Smart Marketing.
Smart Automation provides intelligent automation and device management of Fujifilm devices and also controls third-party devices using its APIs. This is done by integrating Fujifilm Workflow XMF and Revoria XMF PressReady. The automation includes Fujifilm’s new robotics automation solution to facilitate automation between processes such as press and post-press.
Smart Production offers entire shop floor automation and visualisation of job submission, planning and scheduling using a SaaS platform. At Drupa Fujifilm is introducing an AI solution concept with zero-touch operation which allows automation of processes from order taking to product finishing.
Smart Marketing offers an environment to develop digital marketing service platform without specialised skills. Drupa is the first time the service concept model will be demonstrated.
Fujifilm is also using the show to launch its Dimatix Skyfire SF600 inkjet printhead. This delivers a 600dpi resolution with drop size range of 5-25pL and nozzle layout that enables high throw distance to meet a broad range of applications. The head can jet 11 grams of ink per square meter per colour at over 130m/min with four levels of grayscale. To ensure consistent output, the head is equipped with an integrated trimming heater and temperature sensor as well as Redijet coating for optimal use of aqueous and UV inks.
Meteor Inkjet has now added the Dimatix Skyfire SF600 to its portfolio. Meteor’s new PDS-2SF600 drive electronics for the new head are suitable for scanning or single-pass systems of any size or complexity. Coupled with Meteor software for system control, print job creation and image quality enhancement, the company said OEMs can significantly reduce the effort and risk associated with the design and delivery of industrial inkjet printers. Meteor offers a DropWatching System for the Skyfire SF600, a tool to accelerate time to market for new inkjet applications.
“I am delighted that Meteor is supporting the Skyfire SF600. Meteor solutions provide a straight-forward, reliable and effective way for OEMs to take advantage of all that the SF600 has to offer including multi-pulse grayscale Dimatix Versadrop jetting that delivers speeds over 130m/min at 600 x 600dpi; or high ink laydown capability of up to 21g/m2 at production quality,” said Michael Wozny, senior product manager at Fujifilm Dimatix,
In collaboration with IST Metz, Fujifilm has introduced Smartcure. IST Metz Metz is a supplier of UV curing solutions for graphic arts and the official supplier of LuXtreme – Fujifilm’s latest UV LED curing system. The new collaborative Smartcure is a digital curing assistant based on artificial intelligence. The software offers comparative calculation of how much energy within a curing device is needed to cure ink with precision and thus helps reduce energy consumption by lowering the output of the curing system, implementing format-dependent switching, optimising cooling capacity, and reducing nitrogen usage in inertised systems. By minimising the current and operating temperature, it extends the lifespan of LED systems.
At Drupa Fujifilm also announced the expansion of a reseller agreement with XMPie, a Xerox company providing variable data software for the print market. The new agreement enables the integration of XMPie’s software into Fujifilm’s POD offering.
Especially when combined with Fujifilm’s XMF PressReady workflow, XMPie’s software offers users an end-to-end solution for creating, managing, and executing personalised print campaigns. While reseller agreements have already been established in North America and the Asia-Pacific region, Fujifilm is now extending this offering to its European customers.
