Mimaki expands grand format graphics opportunities with new UJV55-320 3.2m UV printer
Mimaki has announced the introduction of a brand-new 3.2m roll-to-roll inkjet printer. The Mimaki UJV55-320 uses UV-curable ink cured with a low-energy LED light array and will make its European debut at this week’s FESPA Digital exhibition in Amsterdam.
“The new UJV55-320 offers an ideal solution for the huge growth market of grand format backlit graphics; frequently found in airports and other public places,” says Stuart Cole, National Sales Manager – Industrial Products for Mimaki’s exclusive UK and Irish distributor; Hybrid Services Ltd. “With low running costs, thanks to its LED UV curing technology and competitively priced inks, a substantial colour gamut, excellent image opacity and Mimaki’s traditionally high print quality, we’re certain it will have broad appeal. We’re also confident it will deliver class leading performance for its price, making it a highly attractive proposition.”
Anticipated to be one of the standout product launches at next month’s Sign & Digital UK exhibition in Birmingham, the UJV55-320 is a versatile and affordable solution for sign & display applications, delivering speeds of up to 110sq m/h and print resolutions of up to 1,200dpi, depending on the substrate. The UJV55-320 also features a seven colour inkset including white and light cyan / magenta that can be configured in a 4-colour mode or 6-colour set plus the white. Use of instant-curing LED UV ink technology results in graphics that exit the printer dry and are immediately ready for finishing, significantly reducing production cycle times. In addition, UV-curable inks emit no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) minimising its environmental footprint.
Mimaki’s white ink allows printing high quality, vibrant results on transparent and coloured media and three-layer, colour-white-colour printing is especially suitable for production of applications such as window graphics and backlit day and night signs. Moreover, white-only printing is also an option for a stylish look or use on dark substrates. Mimaki Circulation Technology (MCT) maintains white ink print quality and reduces ink waste.
A distinctive feature of the UJV55-320 is the provision of an inline, post-print LED lightbox that enables operators to check printing quality of backlit signage during the production run, simulating its installed look and reducing waste and time. The UJV55-320 also features twin roll printing capability, enabling printing on two separate rolls of the same media for simultaneous printing of two different jobs. Media rolls in twin roll operation can range from 210 to 1,524mm in width, with the distance between the two rolls being automatically detected for faultless performance. Automatic detection of nozzle faults followed by cleaning and/or nozzle substitution work together with Mimaki’s RasterLink 6 software which features a patented dithering technique which, along with Mimaki Advanced Pass System (MAPS) for higher quality and reduced banding, delivers optimum print quality even at high print speeds and during longer print runs.
“The UJV55-320 draws on Mimaki’s significant heritage in high quality graphics printing,” concludes Cole. “Not only will it complement existing technologies within the Mimaki range but it is also expected to deliver an affordable solution for companies looking at entering the sector.”