Drupa saw the launch of this larger version of SwissQprint’sexisting UV flatbed models. Nessan Cleary takes a closer look.
Among the new large-format printers launched at Drupa came the Nyala from SwissQprint, which will be handled in the UK by Spandex. The Nyala is a UV flatbed based on the same platform as SwissQprint’s existing Oryx and Impala flatbeds, but with a larger chassis giving it a 3.2 x 1.6m bed complete with a 3.2m wide roll-to-roll option. It has the same solid engineering approach as the other models, hardly any surprise giving that most of the people behind SwissQprint used to work on Zund’s UV printers, setting up their own company when Zund opted to concentrate on cutting tables.
The printheads are Konica Minolta’s 1024 heads, which offer multiple drop sizes from 14 to 42 picolitre. The basic model comes with four of these heads for a standard CMYK set-up. But you can add up to 18 heads, which can be configured with multiple sets of CMYK or with additional inks including light cyan and light magenta, as well as grey, orange, violet and white ink, or even primer or varnish.
The inks themselves are made by Sun Chemical. Steve Pridham, product manager for Spandex, says that most people add light cyan and light magenta. All the piping and so on is included within the machine so it’s an easy matter to retrofit more heads. The full complement of heads is arranged in two rows of nine, giving two channels each for up to nine colours.
Pridham says that the images have a slight sheen to them, but adds: “There are lots of curing options to get different finishes like a silk gloss, where you print in one direction and cure on the way back.” He says there’s also huge interest in the different varnishes available, which include matte, semi-gloss and deep gloss.
Resolution ranges from 720 x 360dpi to 900 x 720dpi. In addition, the operator can set up to nine passes, to fine-tune the print quality and speed. Its maximum productivity is 200m2/hr in draft mode, assuming four sets of CMYK, though a more normal configuration of two sets of CMYK in production mode can reach 36m2/hr.
The vacuum bed can be split into zones and there’s an ingenious slider that can be set anywhere across the width of the bed for more precise control without the need for masking. Operators can determine the amount of vacuum applied and there’s a choice of vacuum pumps to overcome problems with some of the lighter weight media such as fluted card.
There’s a roll-to-roll option with a winder and unwinder sitting either side of the flatbed.
There’s also an extension table for handling very large boards up to 3.2 x 4m. And an anti-static option automatically fires negative ions to the media as it prints. A further option can blow air across the media, dealing with both static and dust, though Pridham says that the anti-static option is the more useful, and one that most customers take, explaining: “The static deflects the droplets so that if you have a fine resolution print you will see an effect like sand on a beach. Also you can get a rough print where it should be smooth, blurry text and poor ink adhesion to the media.”
Spandex recommends the Caldera Rip but the machine itself has an open architecture and will work with most Rips.
The Nyala costs around £175,000 for the basic set up including installation, training and Rip, though this can double with all the options installed. Pridham says that the solid Swiss engineering justifies the cost: “It’s a beautiful piece of equipment and great fun to sell so I’m really proud to have it.”