EFI RELEASES NEW 3M + 5M VUTEKS

EFI is launching two new super-wide printers, the EFI Vutek h3+ and Vutek h5+ hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED printer series, which it says come with enhanced printing and media handling capabilities. EFI is represented in ANZ by Currie Group.

The Vutek h+ series is a re-engineered and refined version of the high-volume, superwide-format hybrid Vutek h series platform. EFI says the enhancements made for the Vutek h+ series offer improved productivity, print quality, reliability, capability, and profits.

Todd Zimmerman, SVP/GM Display Graphics & OEM Ink of EFI, said, “Vutek printers have been the leader in the hybrid category in signs and display graphics for more than two decades, with more than 300 installations worldwide.

"The Vutek h+ series answers some of the key pain points for our customers, all while improving ease of use and offering the LED environmentally friendly benefits you expect from EFI Vutek technology.”

According to EFI the Vutek h+ series was designed to give forward-thinking sign and display graphics customers a competitive edge with significant improvements to the original platform that will come standard on all new printers.

Media handling improvements are some of the most notable enhancements in the Vutek h+ series. An upgraded vacuum table allows for better control of thicker media and thin-light-edged materials thanks to double the vacuum strength on the print table. All new media hold-down rollers mount to existing Media Edge Guide (MEG) rails and the spring rollers force media into the vacuum, often eliminating the need for MEG skis entirely. When MEG skis are needed, they are now available in 0.063in, 0.094in, and 0.012in thicknesses.

The Vutek h+ series offers new optional colour configurations as well: either CMYKcmyk + W + Clear, CMYK x 2 + 2W, or CMYK x 2 + Clear This opens the door for two new clear ink options for Vutek h+ series users.

Building on the EFI UltraClear Coat flexible ink introduced for EFI superwide roll-to-roll LED printers, EFI has extended the offering to the Vutek h3+ and h5+ printers. A second clear ink, EFI Vutek Endura Clear, which has a harder surface finish for increased protective qualities, is also now available for the Vutek h3+ and h5+ printers.

Both UltraClear Coat and Endura Clear inks can be used for decorative applications – to enhance an entire image (full flood) or selected areas (spot) to add extra pop to colours or special effects to graphics – as well as for a final protective coating. They print inline, simultaneously with the image, with a gloss or matte finish.

In addition to the clear inks, an optional innovative Gloss+ print mode – a new software capability that regulates the curing process – can be used to add a flood or selective gloss effect to graphic prints. EFI says it is designed to add value to short-run, specialty jobs, without the use of clear ink.

Also now available are LED thermo-formable inks. Compatible with the Vutek h+ series printers are the LED-curable digital inks that EFI formulated for first and second-surface interior and exterior and non-backlit and backlit applications, where common thermoforming is specified.

EFI says its Transform-TF inks exhibit “outstanding” elongation characteristics, while maintaining adhesion and opacity, and it says provide “ideal” characteristics for heat bending and routing of acrylic sheets, with no chipping or loss of adhesion. Transform-TF inks adhere to a broad range of materials, so applications go well beyond thermoforming.

More developments are in the works for Vutek h+ series printers, too. Expected soon is enhanced double-sided printing for high-value block-out applications.

Existing Vutek h3 and h5 printer owners can also opt to upgrade their current unit with most of the new enhancements to the Vutek h+ series printers.