The world’s first 64-inch roll-to-roll wide-format printer built on Canon’s new UVgel technology has been announced by Canon Canada (Brampton, Ontario), a leader in digital imaging solutions. The new print technology will offer large-format printers of high quality indoor and outdoor graphics “unique levels of print speed, quality, automation and cost of operation,” said the OEM. Users will be able to easily handle peak periods with fully automated media loading of multiple online rolls, print unattended with on-the-fly quality assurance, produce instantly cured prints on a wide variety of media (including heat-sensitive), and help cut expenses with segment-leading low operating costs.
“We’re very excited about this revolutionary new game-changing technology,” said Patrick D’Souza, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Professional Printing Solutions Group, Canon Canada. “This new technology will help large-format print providers to increase their print production while lowering their operating costs, enabling them to profitably grow their businesses. The Colorado 1640 will support the graphic arts industry in meeting the most demanding of turnaround times with the speed and quality they expect.”
UVgel Technology. At the heart of the new Océ Colorado 1640 is Canon’s recently announced UVgel technology. It combines a radically new UV-curable ink from Canon that instantly gels on contact with the media, advanced “self-aware” piezoelectric printhead technology, an LED-based UV system that cures without adding any damaging heat to the media, and continuous on-the-fly printhead nozzle monitoring and performance compensation. “These unique technologies come together to create a 64-inch roll-to-roll printer that sets new standards for quality, productivity, automation, application range and operating costs,” Canon added.
Breakthrough productivity. The new Océ Colorado 1640 is the fastest 64-inch printer on the market with a top speed of 1,710 square feet per hour and POP printing at 430 square feet per hour – faster than any competing system in this segment, said Canon. The new UVgel ink instantly gels on contact with media resulting in precise dot gain and positional control, perfectly repeatable images and instantly cured, durable prints. The low-temperature LED-UV curing system moves independently from the printing carriage, enabling uniform post-print UV curing that further contributes to print speed and print quality. Unattended printing, automated quality assurance, unattended roll changes, and reduced print waste also contribute to overall productivity.
Broad application range. The Océ Colorado 1640 is ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. It delivers a large colour gamut similar to solvent inks, but combines this with the environmental benefits and safety profile of latex and UV-cured systems. The result is nearly odorless, VOC-free, durable and colour fast high quality prints – even on the thinnest and most heat-sensitive media.
Low operating costs. Canon’s UVgel technology features ink consumption as much as 40% lower than competitive technologies. This advantage is matched with a competitive ink price, making the ink cost of production significantly lower than competing technologies. “Canon Canada is looking forward to the North American debut of this product at the ISA Show in April,” D’Souza added. “We know that there has been a lot of anticipation around this technology, and we’re very excited about what the future will bring.”
Canon Canada unveils Océ Colorado 1640
