Contiweb (Boxmeer, The Netherlands), a global specialist in printing, advanced drying and web-handling equipment and solutions, has announced the launch of its Variable Coater (VC) – a digital priming and over-print varnish applicator developed to boost product quality and reduce costs for paper in digital printing applications. Compatible with leading, high-end web inkjet presses, the Variable Coater elevates the quality of digital print to match offset, said the OEM, while providing access to a “virtually unlimited” range of papers.
“We developed the Variable Coater to provide customers with the ability to use standard offset paper for all print jobs, even those with high ink coverage, which is much more cost-effective,” said Rutger Jansen, CEO at Contiweb. “Uptime is also essential to profitability, and changing between the different grades of priming, even per side, can be a costly disruption – something that’s now preventable. The Variable Coater delivers significant cost savings in numerous ways. The system’s expanded range of paper as a result of the precise amount of priming per side, combined with the improved print quality of primed paper, also means that printers can move more jobs from offset to digital. Jobs requiring high ink coverage will not need to be printed offset. They can take advantage of digital’s personalization capabilities, potentially opening up new markets, and achieve higher utilization of the digital press, leading to improved ROI and profits,” Jansen added.
The Contiweb Variable Coater allows variable web coverage, so printers only need to use what’s required, resulting in approximately 15% less priming or coating usage, said the company. Also variable in web width from 10 inches to 26 inches, the VC can work inline or near-line with leading high-end web inkjet presses. The web width of the VC can be changed with a simple, quick production stop and without any requirement to exchange parts. Adjustable on-the-go with a user-friendly HMI, the VC is easy to operate and allows ‘recipes’ to be stored and used again as needed. Plus, there are no additional costs for consumables such as sleeves or anilox rollers.
Contiweb unveils Variable Coater to boost digital print quality and reduce costs
