Fujifilm North America’s Graphic Systems Division has developed a strategic partnership with Heidelberg to “further advance growth of the digital printing market.” At drupa 2016, Heidelberg launched the Primefire 106 powered by Fujifilm Inkjet Technology. This new generation B1 digital inkjet press is the first commercial offering resulting from this collaboration, and addresses the demands for higher flexibility and productivity options within the packaging market. Fujifilm and Heidelberg came together in late 2013 for the development of a new industrial digital inkjet press. This unique approach using their respective R&D resources has resulted in an entirely new product in less than two years!
“Thanks to our strategic partnership with Heidelberg, the major provider and partner for the global printing industry, we are now confident that we can meet the expanding needs of the industrial packaging market,” said Shigetaka Komori, Chairman and CEO of Fujifilm Corporation. “The new B1 machine enhances the range and application of Fujifilm inkjet technology from our proven J Press 720 series in the B2 space. Fujifilm will continue to innovate and deliver value to the growing digital printing industry by expanding our core inkjet technologies, which is the cornerstone of this new B1 machine.”
The new print engine design will incorporate Fujifilm Dimatix Samba state-of-the-art MEMS printhead technology. Fujifilm’s water-based pigment ink with Rapic technology for high-definition imaging will meet food packaging safety regulations. As well, Fujifilm’s inkjet technology will work together with Heidelberg’s developments in press manufacturing and system integration capabilities to achieve “quality output comparable to offset with superior consistency and reliability.”
“In record time, Fujifilm and Heidelberg have jointly developed the world’s first B1 truly industrial inkjet digital printing press,” said Dr. Gerold Linzbach, CEO of Heidelberg. “Our original partnership was based on a joint evaluation of Fujifilm’s core inkjet technology, and after two years of co-development, we remain convinced that Fujifilm is the best partner. Thanks to our close cooperation, we are now presenting the new digital printing system at our drupa booth, fully integrated into our ‘Smart Print Shop’ demonstrations.”
Fujifilm and Heidelberg will market and sell the new Primefire 106 to their key customers, with final commercialization for the new platform expected in 2017.
