Fujifilm: delivering value from innovation

Ian Gibson, national business manager Graphic Systems at Fujifilm New Zealand, understands the many changes the industry has gone through over the past few years and he says that, though it offers leading-edge technology, the graphics giant brings more than just technical solutions to the game.

He says, “Fujifilm is delivering value from innovation. That means that, not only do we have the best solutions, we can show you how to make the most of your investment when you come to us.

“The past four years have demonstrated the huge growth in the use of digital media and we see the continuing increase in the size of the shorter run quick turnaround sector.

“The value of print is being redefined and businesses have to redefine themselves. We have the people and the solutions to help print businesses adapt in this kind of environment. Globally, Fujifilm has taken an aggressive approach to diversification and we will see some of the fruits of that aggression at drupa.”

In a few weeks, Gibson will head to Düsseldorf with Fujifilm New Zealand specialists Graham Blackall and Peter Thomson.

Gibson says, “We expect to see between 150-200 Kiwis and Aussies there. At the stand, we will demonstrate a diverse range of print solutions designed to bring value from innovation.

“I think everyone understands that traditional printing faces major challenges and at drupa, Fujifilm will showcase opportunities for print companies to overcome those challenges. Increasing efficiency and leaner manufacturing processes have become more important and we can see other factors in play, such as environmental concerns and health and safety requirements.”

Focus on inkjet 

ALWAYS looking to the future, the company will highlight its digital inkjet technology at the giant trade show.

Gibson says all the major press manufacturers have an interest in inkjet technology.

The company’s Jet Press 720S, a high performance, second generation B2 sheet-fed digital inkjet press, uses an offset paper handling system. Fujifilm says its water-based inkjet ink performs better than a traditional offset ink in its ability to be folded, laminated, spot coated and finished in different ways.

The Screen Truepress Jet520HD, a high-speed, continuous feed inkjet press, has a paper range of 40gsm through to 250gsm.

At the show, visitors will see the Heidelberg Primefire 106 for the first time. The press combines Fujifilm’s inkjet technology with Heidelberg’s press manufacturing and system integration capabilities. The companies say the quality output compares to offset with superior consistency and reliability.

For label printing, the Screen Truepress Jet L350UV promises high throughput, high image quality, simple operation, and stability. It uses a compact post-press system that integrates with the main device for seal and label finishing. The optional addition provides a one-stop conversion from print through to finishing, adding coating, lamination, cold foiling, die-cutting and slitting. It prints a media width of 350mm at up to 50mpm.

Wider than wide 

FUJIFILM will run a full complement of its wide format technology at the show. Gibson says, “We cover the full range of wide format printers: from the introductory level to the best of the best.”

The company’s Acuity series printers have found a welcome home in many Kiwi sign and print shops.

At entry level, the upgraded Acuity 1600 LED II UV hybrid inkjet printer offers improvements such as increased productivity and print modes for two and three layers. Gibson says, “It gives exceptional print results, using purpose-designed ink, printheads, and curing system. Existing Acuity LED 1600 users can also benefit from these platform enhancements with the purchase of the new software.”

Launched at Fespa, the Acuity Select 20 Series combines greyscale technology with flatbed architecture with four, six, or eight colour channels including white and clear. It replaces the Acuity Advance Select Series with standard and 2X table sizes available.

The highest productivity Acuity, the Acuity F-Series, prints at speeds of up to 155sqm/hr, and is available as a six-channel or seven-channel model.

The Screen Truepress Jet W3200UV printer can print at 150sqm/hr. It uses auto pop-up type registration pins to enable smooth positioning of media and has an auto-cleaning print head function; it can map out a blocked nozzle without interfering with production. It press prints at an apparent resolution of 1000dpi using high-precision linear drive motors to deliver instantaneous power to the print head unit and print table.

The Truepress uses a proprietary UV lamp shutter to precisely control the exposure timing of the UV lamp, enabling the creation of matte or silk finish textures. A multi-layer function providing precise overprinting of up to eight layers, making it possible to quickly output materials with embossing and other 3D effects.

The Fujifilm Onset X-Series offers up to 14 channels. Capable of producing a massive 900sqm/hr, the Onset X3 features three CMYK ink channels plus the choice of White or Orange, and 14 or 27-picolitre printheads.

Gibson says, “The Onset X3 sits at the pinnacle of productivity. With this printer, users of analogue screen printing lines can take the digital route, confident they can print long runs of high-quality print with superb consistency and reliability.”

Fujifilm Uvistar printers, which include the Uvistar II, the Pro 8, and the Hybrid, all use Fujifilm’s high performance Uvijet inks.

The Uvistar II series handles 3.5m and 5m media width for high-volume super-wide industrial printing with either a 16 or 32 print head configuration. The company says its industrial printheads are designed for all-day production. Applications include posters, displays, billboards, vehicle graphics and backlight signage.

The Fujifilm Uvistar Hybrid 320, a 3.2m combination flatbed and roll printer, can print at 195sqm/hr. Fujifilm says this printer will take centre stage in the wide format area.

Available in an eight-channel configuration with CMYK, Lc, Lm, Lk and Orange ink channels, it has a nine channel configuration with White ink also available. Innovations on the Uvistar Hybrid 320 include printheads and jetting technology that enable the press to image in greyscale with droplet sizes ranging from 10–30pl. It has eight ink channels, including orange ink increasing the colour gamut by 30 per cent. Media handling innovations include a belt and vacuum system that ensures accurate tracking in roll or flatbed mode.

Computer controlled Aristo Aristomat Cutters have application for wide format, digital finishing, signmaking, CNC cutting, digital die cutting, and in the packaging and textile industries. configurable tool heads can include routing and bevel cut devices, camera systems and multi tool holders.

Fujifilm offers CWT Worktools from Sweden. The CWT Work Table, a mounting table, features safe and easy merging of glossy thin foil materials as well as heavier sheets. Design features include the elimination of the cross-going overhead beam; a protected traversing system for smooth travel of the roll assembly; and a table cover made of hardened glass.

 

FUJIFILM will show its full XMF workflow suite at Drupa.

Ian Gibson believes software capability holds a vital key for unlocking future growth in the industry. He says, “XMF offers tools to improve efficiencies throughout any print business. It is easy to use, with a one screen production window.

Functions include remote submission, pre-flighting, trapping, colour management, alongside Fujifilm’s advanced imposition functions. Its cross-media capability includes the ability to prepare a PDF for either CTP or digital output. XMF automatically applies the appropriate imposition, colour management, and screening settings, while maintaining data integrity and colour consistency throughout. It allows for sections to be output to digital presses for proofing purposes.

The XMF Remote module adds web browser-based online job submission, previewing, approval and output control. Gibson says, “You can expand the range of remote services you offer your customers, which speeds up job hand-off, review, correction and turnaround.

The company also offers cloud-based colour management tools which align output devices to designated colour targets. The software incorporates optimised colour correction and a simple, step-by-step interface create and maintain colour output device alignments. The solution provides calibration, ICC profiling and alignment to ISO 12647 for a range of print devices, from offset and screen presses to digital wide format and B2 inkjet printers such as the Jet Press 720.

Fujifilm also has partnerships with Caldera and ColorGate for wide format RIPs and workflow software as well as Picador and Phoenix for label and packaging software.