FFEI chooses Xaar 1001 printheads to drive new Graphium digital UV inkjet press

Xaar 1001 printheads have been specified by FFEI Ltd for the next-generation Graphium digital inkjet UV press.  The FFEI Graphium will be distributed by Fujifilm in Europe and North America with Fujifilm Uvijet Graphium™ UV inks.

The FFEI Graphium, designed for labels, packaging and speciality print, is a modular, 4-colour narrow web, digital UV inkjet press with additional high-opacity digital white ink and flexo varnish capability.

The press combines innovative prepress software, UV ink and Xaar 1001 printheads with cutting-edge printhead calibration technology to deliver consistent print quality and reliable production. Print speeds of up to 50m/min on a 410mm web width delivers productivity up to 1,230 sqm/hr. Supporting up to six digital modules and six flexo stations, Graphium enables users to integrate optional flexo and finishing stations in line for conversion in a single pass.

During development of the new press, FFEI worked closely with the Xaar R&D team to ensure that Graphium maximises the full capability of the unique Xaar 1001 printhead technology.  The press uses specialist Fujifilm Uvijet Graphium™ UV inks which have been carefully specified and matched to the Xaar 1001 to deliver reliable jetting performance.

Digital label printing requires a printhead that delivers high-resolution print quality at maximum performance and with maximum reliability. When printing high-opacity white layers it is important that the high viscosity, heavily-pigmented ink is kept in constant motion within the printhead to avoid nozzle blocking. The Xaar 1001 features Xaar’s patented TF Technology™ combined with Hybrid Side Shooter™ architecture which delivers the highest flow rate of CMYK and white inks past the back of the inkjet nozzle during drop ejection. As a result, pigments are kept in constant suspension, any air bubbles and particles are removed, and the printhead remains continuously primed to deliver maximum production uptime – even in the harshest industrial environments.

The Xaar 1001 also incorporates XaarDOT™ (Xaar Drop Optimisation Technology) and 8-level greyscale capability which allows Graphium users to achieve a perceived resolution of 1080dpi. This is essential for high-quality, single pass printing of labels and packaging materials.

“We chose the Xaar 1001 because it delivers the best all-round performance for industrial-level single-pass label printing and is perfect for handling challenging white ink”,  says Andy Cook, FFEI Managing Director. “Xaar’s support has been invaluable and they have made a huge contribution towards making Graphium such a superb press. There is just no other printhead that could deliver Graphium’s performance and day-in, day-out reliability with low maintenance.”

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