Fujifilm has expanded its portfolio of integrated printbar systems with a new model, the 46kUV, which is primarily aimed at the labels and packaging markets.
Essentially its a fast high resolution monochrome device that’s designed to be retrofitted to analogue presses or converting equipment to print variable data such as individual QR codes or serial numbers in small fonts down to 2pt.
The 46kUV uses 1200 dpi Samba printheads complete with Fujifilm’s Redijet ink recirculation system. The heads are the G3L variant, which means a native drop size of 2.4pl. The system can run at up to 500 feet per minute or 152.4 meters per minute at 1200 x 600 dpi resolution or 1200 x 1200 dpi at 93 meters per minute, which should be fast enough for most applications.
It’s been designed to work with UV-curable inks and includes LED UV lamps though it can be configured with mercury curing for specific applications. Fujifilm produces both UV and LED UV-curable inks.
It includes a print controller and comes with a touch screen user interface. There’s an option to include Fujifilm’s 3IC document creation software for creating simple variable data content. This is designed to be set-up quickly on the pressroom floor and is meant for those situations that don’t require any complex data management.
It’s available in four print widths of 254 mm, 330 mm, 432 mm and 508 mm. It includes an automated cleaning and capping module, together with a rail system so that the print bar can be moved to one side for cleaning.
Greg Balch, vice president and general manager of the Fujifilm Integrated Inkjet Solutions group, explains, “We’ve seen the use of inkjet continue to grow in the label and packaging markets given its ability to produce high-quality output with variable data. Our vision behind the 46kUV Inkjet Printbar System is to help fill an important gap in the market for imprinting at high DPI and with high reliability.”
It fits into Fujifilm’s existing range of printbars, which includes the 42K, also based on the Samba heads but with water-based inks and aimed at the direct mail and transactional markets. There’s also the compact Mini 4300 series and the 4-color 12K.
You can find further details on Fujifilm’s range of printheads and print bars from fujifilm.com.
First posted on 9th January 2024 on the Printing and Manufacturing Journal.
