EFI LAUNCHES NEW NOZOMI 14000 LED DIGITAL CORRUGATED PRINTER

EFI is bringing a new version of its Nozomi press to market, the EFI Nozomi 14000 LED, which it says is a ultra high speed inkjet solution for corrugated printing.

The direct-to-board digital press leverages Nozomi single-pass UV LED inkjet technology with improvements that the company says bring enhanced productivity, reliability, value and flexibility to the industrial packaging segment.

Available this year, the 1.4-metre-wide press runs at faster speeds up to 100 linear metres per minute with new productivity modes, with EFI saying it meets corrugated packaging manufacturers’ needs for more compact production lines.

The Nozomi 14000 LED also boasts a robust design for heavy industrial use, high reliability and high productivity. EFI says it offers packaging converters high uptime, and the versatility to print nearly all board flute types, with enhancements to automatically reject damaged boards without stopping print production.

“This next evolution in EFI’s breakthrough Nozomi technology delivers a tailor-made solution to meet the current demands of the industrial packaging segment,” said Evandro Matteucci, vice president and general manager, Packaging & Building Materials, EFI. “This remarkable new press builds on the industry leading technology that defines our Nozomi platform to balance the many requirements crucial to successful day-to-day corrugated packaging operations in a manufacturing plant. The EFI Nozomi 14000 LED is the robust industrial solution the market has been waiting for.”

Users can choose from a range of configurations to complement individual needs, with single or dual bottom feeder options, a roller coater capable of applying varying amounts of primer, an optional varnish station that allows for a range of gloss or satin finishes, and full or bundle stacker options. Available with up to six colours, including white, the EFI says the Nozomi 14000 LED’s high-viscosity inks provide “outstanding colour registration and coverage, and its high-speed, non-clogging, high-performance jetting printheads deliver unrivalled accuracy and smooth colour gradients.”

The new press features image management and data collection software, as well as a new, intuitive, user-friendly interface. The latest-version EFI Fiery NZ-1000 digital front end (DFE) used to drive the press features the new Fiery system platform – Fiery FS500 Pro – enabling “quick processing and outstanding colour management” at full press speeds. The Fiery DFE can connect users with EFI IQ, a comprehensive suite of cloud business intelligence and management solutions.

The new press is aimed at an even broader swathe of the packaging industry, everyone from from independent box plants and start-ups to integrated paper for a digital alternative to analogue corrugated production. According to EFI, it delivers energy-efficient productivity, with virtually no volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, and up to 35 percent lower energy consumption than flexo printing. The press also “significantly” reduces ink and board waste compared with flexo and litho-lamination. Unlike analogue printing methods, it does not require water for cleaning, reducing converters’ costs and their environmental footprint.