Xerox’s new Direct To Object (DTO) Printer utilizes Xerox nozzles that are half the width of a human hair that can print photos, images and text directly onto 3D objects in minutes. This latest innovation is aimed at label-less, on-demand digital personalization and packaging.
The nozzles are contained in printheads – about the size of a deck of cards – that accurately spray ink on objects as small as bottle caps and as large as football helmets. The printer can print on plastic, metals, ceramics and glass, eliminating the need for costly labels.
Xerox uses enhanced image-quality algorithms to direct the microscopic nozzles. By accurately spraying ink at distances of one-quarter of an inch, the printer is able to print on smooth, rough, slightly curved or stepped surfaces at resolutions ranging from 300 dpi to 1,200 dpi. The printer can handle up to 30 objects per hour, with the ability to scale for production.
“This innovation opens up a path for creating customized products instantly at a time when the consumer’s appetite is all about personalization,” said Brendan Casey, Vice President of Xerox Engineering Services.
“Imagine a sports fan coming home from a game with a helmet or ball that was personalized right at the stadium, or a retailer offering on-demand personalization on hundreds of different store items.”
Other notable features:
- The ink jets are compatible with virtually any type of ink chemistry including solvent, aqueous and UV inks, and can be operated at temperatures as high as 140°C, thus enabling jetting of specialized inks that meet demanding requirements.
- The architecture features a flexible design for holders so that objects can be changed out easily.
- Xerox software ensures “precise head-to-head registration and best-in-class colour calibration.”
The new printer, said Xerox, promises to create new revenue opportunities for a number of industries including:
Retail. In competitive retail space where brick-and-mortar stores are in a fierce battle with online retailers, the printer is easy to use, fun to watch and offers highly customizable output allowing stores to offer walk-up, low-cost print runs as low as one on a variety of objects.
Printing. For those serving a variety of markets, centralized print providers or distributors (online or brick-and-mortar) can offer small runs for personalizing and customizing products.
Packaging and manufacturing. It’s a packager’s dream to eliminate the cost and headache of labels and be able to customize packaging, said Xerox. The new DTO Printer offers a flexible architecture that can support conveyors if necessary. “The real innovation here is that we can now print on items such as steel water bottles with multiple curves, without the set-up time and costs that analogue printing such as flexography or screen printing require,” said Wayne Buchar, Chief Engineer, Xerox Engineering Services.
Availability
The Xerox Direct To Object Printer is a customized solution built to order. Xerox representatives will work directly with customers to optimize a custom configuration specifically suited for their applications.
The Xerox Direct To Object Inkjet Printer will be on display in the Xerox (booth 1625) during Graph Expo September 25-28 in Orlando, Florida. The printer is also a 2016 Must See ‘Ems award winner in the Future of Print category. The Must See ‘Ems annual awards competition recognizes the most compelling new products being shown at Graph Expo 2016.
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