Agfa releases 3.3m roll-to-roll Oberon

Agfa is launching a new addition to its large-format inkjet printer assortment, the Oberon RTR3300 is a dedicated 3.3m high-end roll-to-roll machine.

The company says it combines productivity and quality with an extensive media scope and ease of use.

The new Oberon RTR3300 comes in a four colour plus white, and a six colour version, depending on user needs and preferences. In express mode, the Oberon RTR3300 hits 150sqm per hour, while still delivering Agfa image quality. In production mode, the Oberon reaches a consistent 85 sqm per hour. The dual-roll option is capable of handling two rolls each up to 1.6m wide, doubling the total output.

The UV LED inks on the Oberon RTR3300 are optimised for flexible media and Agfa says they ‘excel in the smooth printing of solid colours’. They obtained the highest category of Greenguard Gold certification, which means they meet some of the world’s most rigorous chemical emissions standards and can be used in sensitive indoor environments like schools or healthcare facilities.

The Oberon RTR3300 enables media diversity and a wide range of applications.

In addition to its air-cooled LED curing lamps, the Oberon RTR3300 features a water-cooled table that keeps the printing zone at room temperature, which Agfa says, means print service providers can smoothly process any kind of heat-sensitive roll material, including lower-cost media.

The dedicated mesh printing functionality makes printing on mesh (with or without liner) straightforward.

According to Agfa, the Oberon RTR3300 was designed with a view to offering convenience, lean operations and peace of mind. Agfa says that thanks to its media loading setup, a single operator can quickly load the media. It says the smart multi-queue functionality guarantees effortless job planning in view of the available materials. The free fall option, which may be used to print on demand, reduces media waste. A light box next to the printing area allows for on-the-spot quality inspection of backlit prints, while a double light curtain ensures that jobs don’t get interrupted and media wasted, even when an operator accidentally moves into the safety zone.

“When developing the Oberon, we once again focused on merging productivity with quality, in addition to delivering the lowest ink consumption levels and reduced overall operational costs. It is a position to give print service providers a competitive edge,” Tom Vermeulen, head of Sign & Display, Agfa, said. “This new engine builds on decades of experience in developing and manufacturing versatile large-format printing solutions. Our systems approach integrates and optimises engine, ink, media, workflow, and colour management to ensure the highest quality, consistency and reliability.”

The Oberon RTR3300 will make its debut at Fespa in Madrid at the end of March.