imageData Group has ramped up capacity once again by installing a Durst Rho 1012 at its large-format digital centre in Howden, East Yorkshire.
The Rho 1012, which was installed in July to meet the rush for Christmas/January sales work, joins an existing flatbed/roll-to-roll hybrid Durst Rho P10 and a super-wide Rho 500R. The 1012 will also sit alongside an Inca Onset S70, Agfa M-Press and a HP Indigo.
Managing director David Danforth said of the latest investment: “Initially we were interested in Durst’s other new top end Rho, the 1030. However, through our investigations it became obvious that the Rho 1012 would satisfy our production requirements better. The Rho 1030’s print speed is extraordinarily fast but we felt it was more suitable for fully automated, high volume production runs, whereas the Rho 1012 would offer us more flexibility and an even finer quality of print. Its 12 picolitre printheads produce superb quality whilst also providing a high level of productivity. The 1012 is currently printing 60 or 70 boards per hour at a good quality. Our clients, some of whom are style and fashion brands, demand the best quality print and we believe that this machine, which has an image resolution of 1000dpi, gives them just that.”
To increase capacity further the Rho 500R has been enhanced with a Mesh Banner Kit which can be used on materials such as fabric voiles.
Also, the company’s Rho P10 250 has been upgraded with Variodrop ink technology, which according to imageData, has increased productivity on the machine by at least 10%.
But chairman Roger Birkin points out that it’s not about volume. “There are so many ways that we offer clients added value using digital print, including one off displays, print personalisation, Web-to-print, unique wallpapers, unusual media, near-field communication opportunities and display installation. We are always checking out the very latest technology for something that is new and different so we can offer our customers a commercial edge.”
He added: “The 1012 is more than capable of handling the kind of additional volumes we require but the hybrid roll and flatbed print configuration will allow us to switch from one media to another very quickly and easily. The 1012 prints products to any length and is only dependent on the length of the media being used. It also prints onto a vast array of rigid and roll substrates including foamed rigid PVC sheets, aluminium, acrylic, glass and polycarbonate. The 1012 is an ideal production engine for the display industry and really does tick all our boxes.”
Birkin highlighted some of the machine features: “The Rho 1012 allows us to respond very quickly to customer demands from small runs, using hand-feeding, or to switch to larger volumes using the machine’s autofeeder. The machine also prints edge-to-edge allowing us to print onto more demanding materials such as glass and aluminium where post production cutting is difficult. In terms of ink adhesion, the machine is one of the best we have experienced which is terrific when jobs need to be punched or cut to shape as there is virtually no flaking or cracking along the edge of the printed pieces. Furthermore, the printer can print spot gloss, which saves time and money by eliminating the screen print element which we would normally use.”