Xeikon (Itaska, Illinois) has announced version 2.0 of its Panther UV inkjet technology with the launch of two new digital label presses – the Xeikon PX3300 and Xeikon PX2200 – which will replace the existing Xeikon PX3000 and Xeikon PX2000. Both presses feature advances in two areas – applications and building blocks – the further a company’s digital transformation. With the addition of two new presses, the Panther 2.0 series now comprises seven different UV inkjet presses.
“We are defining a pathway to full digitization of print production and manufacturing,” said Filip Weymans, Vice President of Marketing at Xeikon. “Responsiveness has become key for any business and can only be achieved effectively by digitalizing all print manufacturing processes, not just printing. The foundation for a digitalized environment lies with collecting data in a digital manner. The data volume, captured in real time, creates the information that’s required by label converters to make fact-based decisions. Another aspect is the interfacing connections in production between machines and operators, helping to transfer job information between various production processes, or drawing the attention of operators when it’s really required. The cloud-connected, machine-machine and man-machine interfaces of our UV inkjet presses will enable label printers to take operational excellence to the highest levels. They offer great potential to maximize overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), increase sustainability and make an operation robust for any future challenge,” he added.
The new Panther 2.0 series also offers new opportunities for label printers to expand their applications portfolio. Xeikon’s splice table, web-detection capability and cooled roller at the curing section makes it possible to print high-quality labels on a wider choice of substrates, including clear-on-clear facestock which requires a high-quality opaque white to make the design stand out. Both presses can be configured with a fifth print station for white ink and can print on a wide range of self-adhesive media in addition to clear-on-clear, including coated paper, vinyl, PP, PE, PET and metalized.
The Xeikon PX2200 and PX3300 presses leverage the advantages of dedicated PantherCure UV inks, which meet the demands from brand owners for high-gloss, durable labels with high scuff resistance. Panther DuraCure UV technology produces high-gloss effects and stands out across the widest colour gamut while delivering exceptional long-term durability for multiple applications such as industrial, chemical and household labels, as well as high-end labels for the premium beer, spirit, beverage and health & beauty market sectors.