EFI and Memjet have signed a deal that will see the Fiery rip available for the Memjet range of ultra-fast DuraLink digital inkjet print systems.
According to EFI the new solution being developed for DuraLink devices captures the advantages of its most advanced digital production software platform, Fiery FS350 Pro, to deliver what EFI says are the best capabilities in areas print customers care about most: colour and imaging, productivity, management tools and connectivity.
The company says users will be able to meet demanding customer requirements for brand colours and extended-gamut applications featuring extended ink sets. The Fiery DFEs for Memjet DuraLink presses will give users the power to make on-the-fly corrections and late-stage colour edits at the DFE for uninterrupted production.
Memjet is one of the more intriguing technologies in print. Originally developed in Sydney by reclusive genius and ex-Canon head of R+D Kia Silverbrook – who apparently has more patents than any other human on the planet – Memjet is now based in the US, following a protracted court case over the rights.
Its USP was its ultra high speed print, way in excess of anything else on the market for wide format sheetfed inkjet, however its print quality has been its sticking point. In the last two years though it has released its DuraLink printheads, which have a top speed in excess of 200 mpm, and a resolution of 1,600x580dpi, and have eschewed dye based ink in favour of a higher-density, fade-resistant, aqueous pigment ink. Other manufacturers can match the speed, but Memjet says its costs are lower, and quality higher.
The new DuraLink heads are gaining rapid acceptance, already Gallus is using them on its short run Smartfire label press, MGI has it on its AlphaJet B1 inkjet press, and Portugese manufacturer New Solution will have a carton and corrugated printer with Duralink at drupa. In fact printers going to drupa next year are likely to see Duralink heads on multiple stands.
Eric Owen, general manager of commercial press for Memjet, commenting on the EFI deal, said, “We have installed a Fiery DFE to drive a seven-colour digital press in Memjet’s headquarters demo centre, and both our team and our partners are impressed with the way the Fiery DFE enables superior colour and image control. It also offers customers advanced job management and the ability to produce versioned and variable print runs at engine-rated speed. Fiery technology, combined with DuraLink’s speed, image quality and reliability, bring tremendous added value to Memjet’s DuraLink partners.”