Power four: New EFI UK printer debuts from CMYUK

At a recent open house event in Shrewsbury, CMYUK showcased four new EFI UV LED printers. As EFI’s exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland, CMYUK gave visitors a chance to look under the hood and see the technology in action. Benjamin Austin, assistant editor, took a closer look.

Many good things famously come in fours – The Beatles, the Ninja Turtles, the seasons (both Frankie Valli and the calendar year), the Fantastic Four. Even in printing, inks traditionally came in: cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black).

It therefore seems to be the perfect number to group things together.
CMYUK embraced this theme with the UK debut of four of EFI’s latest wide- and super-wide format printers – the Pro 16h+, the Pro 30h+, the Pro 30f+, and the VUTEk M3h. Installed at CMYUK’s demonstration and training facility in Shrewsbury, the printers were lined up and ready for the Open House visitors.

Sales director, Chris Martin said: “These new printers have generated a great deal of market interest.” And it is easy to see why.

All four sit in the mid volume range and include both hybrid and flatbed functionality, including wide-format (1.6m wide) and super-wide format (3.2m wide) models. Being the next generation EFI printers, they also incorporate new print head technology and extend the EFI printer range.

Meet the printers

Front and centre at the event was the EFI Pro 16h+ UV LED hybrid printer, a 1.6m wide machine in a compact frame. Running at speeds of up to 129m sq/hr and offering four-colour printing plus white, it delivers an image quality of up to 1200x1200dpi.

It can handle both rigid and roll materials, making it a versatile machine. It is also loaded with features – from semi continuous board printing for efficiency to multi-layer printing (up to five layers in a single pass).

The Pro 16h+ is built to work within restricted spaces with its narrow depth and compact footprint, making it easy to navigate through doorways and install in areas where space is limited.

Chris said: “The EFI Pro 16h+ offers big performance in a smaller footprint, perfect for businesses that work in irregular or tight environments that don’t want to compromise on capabilities.”

Next in line was the Pro 30h+, a 3.2m wide hybrid printer built for those who require super-wide printing functionality. Like it’s narrower sibling, this printer switches between roll-to-roll and rigid board printing.
It is also equipped with Ricoh’s latest Gen 6 print heads which deliver a fine 5pL drop size, and when combined with a magnetic linear drive, conspire to output precise dot placement and an image quality of up to 1200x1200dpi. It also prints at speeds reaching up to 235m sq/hr.

The Pro 30f+ is the only dedicated flatbed printer in the quartet. With a 3x2m bed, it’s designed for sign shops, PSPs, and industrial users who print onto rigid materials. Capable of handling substrates up to 10cm thick, it delivers top speeds of 253m sq/hr – making it 25% faster than its predecessor.

Chris said: “We think this flatbed is a head turner. From the sheer size of the bed, the turbo speeds, and the outstanding print quality, it’s a piece of production equipment that really makes its presence felt.”

The final machine in the roster was the VUTEk M3h UV LED hybrid – the newest hybrid VUTEk printer. At 3.2m wide, this super-wide printer delivers a resolution of 2400dpi powered by Kyocera print heads in 7 and 14pL.
Aimed at users operating between mid-volume and high-end industrial output, it’s packed with benefits: print speeds of up to 290m sq/hr, output onto substrates of up to 5.08cm thick, and single or two-up printing onto rolls or boards.

A fenceless muzzle option with laser detection enables enhanced continuous board feeding delivering enhanced productivity.

Chris added: “The VUTEk M3h is seen as the successor to the iconic VUTEk GS series, which is regarded by many as being the most successful product in EFI VUTEk’s history. It’s a landmark in technology progression.”

Technology progression

EFI has also included significant improvements for staff operating this printer. Full-width lighting, as well as internal carriage cabinet lighting, have been made available to those who need it.

Enhanced surrounding access ensures clean and easy maintenance to service areas. Operator touch screens are available front and rear, while reduced-depth tables that take up less floor space still accommodate large sheets, making feeding much more manageable.

Chris said: “It’s a serious performer that keeps quality high and running
costs low.”

For anyone interested in buying these new machines or upgrading older kit, CMYUK provides a trade-in and scrappage scheme where customers looking to upgrade their older technology can retire their existing printers and move to the next generation, making it easier to transition to new equipment.
The introduction of these four models by EFI’s exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland comes as no surprise, for CMYUK has been awarded the manufacturer’s top revenue generating partner seven times, making it the most successful EFI supplier in its history.

All this and more

The EFI machines were not the only thing on display at the CMYUK Open House in June. Visitors also had the opportunity to view print production technology from Mimaki and Canon. They could also explore finishing solutions from JWEI, Neolt, and Klieverik, and speak to roll materials experts who were on hand. Also present was specialist asset finance company, Sheppex, available to offer guidance on investment and funding options.

Chris concluded: “Our open house events are a unique resource in the industry, a permanent hub of innovation and knowledge where visitors can explore our full portfolio of technology and materials.

“They are crucial in helping customers make informed investment decisions.”

CMYUK has set more dates for similar open houses getting ready to open its doors next on September 30 and October 1.

The new EFI machines have started conversations and from these conversation CMYUK is hoping to help those looking to invest. Only time will tell what impact these machines will have but the only way to know for yourself is to see them first hand.