New EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340i makes its UK debut at CMYUK’s Printer Production Open House Event on 18-19th May
New printers from EFI will be making waves at CMYUK’s forthcoming Printer Production Open House that takes place on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th May at its demonstration and training centre in Shrewsbury.
This game-changing equipment will be showcased alongside CMYUK’s full complement of world leading technology from Mimaki, Canon, Epson, Klieverik, Kongsberg, Trotec, and others.
EFI advances in digital textile printing
EFI is the established leader in digital industrial textile printing. Its new VUTEk FabriVU 340i+ offers customers the widest application range, the most compelling TCO in the market, delivering the highest income yield, and the lowest acquisition cost.
The 340i+ provides businesses with the opportunity to expand into profitable new soft signage/textile applications and markets. It has the same versatility as the current EFI VUTEk 340i model, allowing for both direct-to-substrate and paper sublimation printing. An integrated heat fixation unit that can be turned on and off when required, negates the need for an additional heat press saving time, money, and floor space.
It features incremental improvements and redesigned elements. It has 8 Kyocera printheads rather than 4, doubling resolution from 300 to 600dpi, and increases POP speeds by 48%. A redesigned heating plate ensures improved temperature uniformity particularly between jobs, less outgassing but with the same colour intensity, and overall faster system reaction. A new flag ink removal kit allows the system to manage high ink volumes without touching the loaded material. An optional vacuum plate for transfer paper that is field upgradable will be available soon.
“There’s a great deal of interest around the FabriVU 340i+” said Brett Platt, CMYUK, Textiles Business Manager. “It offers a real opportunity for customers to expand their business offerings. The integrated fixation capability is perfect for companies that don’t have the floor space or CAPEX spend for an additional stand-alone heat press. It represents a host of advantages that we are excited to share with new and existing customers. CMYUK has long been a hub for digital textile printing, and these days it’s almost unthinkable for sign and display businesses not to offer soft signage solutions including TFS, murals, SEG Backlights, event backdrops, hanging banners, retail fixture wraps, front light POP, promo tents, and divisional graphics.”
A new era of EFI UV LED
The Pro 30h 3.2m Hybrid UV LED printer evens out the EFI portfolio perfectly, offering wide format 3.2m production at a highly competitive price point of £164,995 including delivery, warranty and installation.
This printer is designed to be ultra-productive and leverages proven technological innovations found in EFI Reggiani textile printers, high-speed h-series and single pass platforms. With ultra-quick set-up times and an infeed take-up system, the EFI Pro 30h handles dual media rolls as well as continuous board printing, delivering 100% productivity by enabling boards to be printed back-to-back without stopping the printer carriage.
Like the EFI Reggiani, it utilises a magnetic linear drive rather than a pulley system ensuring a far quieter carriage, with less vibration to ensure consistent and precise ink dot placement. It also features dual monitors giving screen access for production control working at both the front and back of the press, increasing efficiency for the operative.
New inks
This printer also comes with XA inks, a new inkset that following the drive for productivity is available in large 5 litre bottle sizes. These new inks can be used for both roll-to-roll and rigid applications as they are flexible and also adhere very well to rigid sheets. They are durable and resistant to finger marks and any contusions bought about by the stacking of rigid materials.
EFI has transitioned away from UV mercury ink curing to cold LEDs. This has several benefits including low energy consumption, while curing with lower temperatures enables the option of printing thinner, lighter, sustainable materials that don’t buckle or malfunction due to heat issues. Unlike UV mercury lamps that need to be replaced every year, LEDs have a 5-year lifespan.
“The Pro 30h is a stunning piece of equipment that combines hugely successful elements of EFI technology packaged in one printer. It’s a very impressive proposition and customers are buzzing over its feature set. We anticipate that it will be a very strong contender in the market,” said Sue Hayward, CMYUK Sales Director (Equipment).
CMYUK’s range of materials including eco grade products will be on show at the event, as well as advice on the best value finance available for your business.