Durst has launched the P5 X – a ‘true flatbed’ with roll-to-roll capability to fill a mid-market position in the company’s P5 large-format printing portfolio.
Speaking at a media launch at the company’s head office at Brixen in Italy, Durst CEO and co-owner, Christoph Gamper said the P5 X is a long-awaited and important addition to the P5 range of products that will allow the Durst brand to compete specifically within the ‘true flatbed’ category. He said, “The P5 X is a testament to our commitment to continuous growth in the large-format printing (LFP) sector.
“We continue to push boundaries with the new technologies, expanding our capabilities to meet our customers’ evolving needs. The P5 X, proudly ‘Made in Durst’, reflects our dedication to innovation, quality and reliability showcasing the best of what Durst stands for.”
Durst will officially launch the P5 X with an online event on October 9 – click here for more information.
Durst head of product development, Andrea Riccardi, believes the P5 X will be of interest to small, medium and high-end customers. He said, “I am proud and excited about the P5 X because this is the first time we have presented a true flatbed printer manufactured by Durst. The launch of the P5 X gives Durst the complete 360 portfolio for hybrid printing.
“The market for P5 X sales is not about the size of the customer, as we know many of our customers have flatbed printers to satisfy certain types of production as well as special applications.
“Since 2018, we have scaled up the P5 range from the P5 350 up to the P5 Super Multi-Pass (SMP) in order to have faster and faster machines. The SMP is the fastest machine in our portfolio and we see this as the alternative to single pass UV at the top end of the market.
“Now with the P5 X, we can almost complete the P5 portfolio and this product will be targeted at the mid-market.
Gamper also addressed the expected direct competition in the market with swissQprint and provided more clarity on the positioning of the newly launched product which will represent the entry-level of the P5 category.
He added, “The P5 range is an ecosystem – it is not a single product. A lot of our customers in the printing community will need this ‘entry-level’ flatbed. We will obviously cross paths with companies like swissQprint and other companies, but I don’t care about the competition as we have our spot [in the market].
“This will allow customers – who are not currently Durst customers – to enter into the Durst world and then this allows them to scale up like a lot of other companies that have grown with us after starting off with just one machine.”
Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman looks forward to offering customers this product and has already started to receive interest from New Zealand printers.
Ashman said, “The P5 X complements the other products in the P5 portfolio and is the true flatbed machine that everyone has been asking for from Durst for some time.
“The market needs a machine like this with the flexibility, reliability and functionality that Durst customers have come to expect.”
Durst said the P5 X, which will continue to utilise Ricoh Gen 5 printheads like the other products in the P5 range, is designed for high-end applications such as bespoke visual communications, large scale decoration and speciality packaging. It is built to meet the highest standards while also being accessible to those wanting to enter the ‘Champions League’ of printing.
Riccardi added that the P5 X was a passion project of his and represents the perfect blend of advanced features and accessibility. He said, “The P5 platform integrates high-end systems, hybrid solutions, and comprehensive software, service, and ink solutions. With the P5 X, Durst introduces a true flatbed printer with roll options, sharing the benefits of the entire P5 platform.
“The P5 X is built with operator convenience in mind. Its ergonomic design minimises outer edges, allowing boards to be loaded and unloaded comfortably in an upright position. Safety features include a light curtain on the print carriage that slows down the printing in case of interruption, ensuring maximum safety. The P5 X also includes user-friendly LED indicators that show the correct positioning for boards and identify which vacuum rows should be activated. Magnetic pins are easy to mount, streamlining the entire setup process.”
Other key features of the P5 X include:
Magnetic linear motors
These motors have been installed on the X and Y axes ensure precise, reliable movement across the entire workspace. This advanced system allows for faster and simpler positioning without compromising on accuracy, even at high speeds.
Powerful Vacuum Table
The P5 X is equipped with a vacuum table featuring 12 selectable zones. The four larger zones can be easily adjusted using individual sliders to adapt to the width of the print material, optimising suction power. Additionally, the vacuum can be reversed for quick and efficient material removal.
Versatile Colour Configuration
The P5 X offers 10 colour channels that can be configured to meet specific requirements. Channels include inks from the P5 series, combining CMYK, White, Fluo, Orange, Violet, Light-Cyan, Light-Magenta, Light-Black, Varnish, and Primer, providing ultimate customization for a variety of projects, applications and media types.
Optimised Printing Usability
Twin Printing Mode: Seamless dual-side printing for increased efficiency without waiting times.
Reverse Printing Enables one-pass white over and under printing using a single printhead.
Multitrack Supports simultaneous printing on up to 12 channels (6 per side) with different images or board sizes.
Visual Status Bar
The status bar provides operators with key information about the print system at a glance. It shows system readiness, remaining print time, ink status, and more, allowing for efficient monitoring and swift reactions to any situation.
