Durst and 3M Collaborate on Rho 160R Printer

Durst and 3M have formed a strategic collaboration, and the first product of this pairing is the Durst Rho 160R. This 62-in. roll-to-roll UV-curable printer is designed to primarily print vehicle graphics using 3M inks and media.

Specifically, it utilizes 3M’s flexible UV-curable Piezo Inkjet Ink Series 2700UV inks and a wide range of uncoated and coated 3M media (up to 2.5-mm thick). The printed product is conformable around complex curves, as well as rivets and corrugation. And when using the matched set of printer, media, and ink, the 3M MCS warranty gives users protection of up to 5 yr outdoor and 7 yr indoor.

The Rho 160R is capable of printing up to 600 sq ft/hr and offers resolutions up to 600 dpi. The printer gives the user flexibility in selecting resolutions and print speeds, with three print modes in 400 x 400 dpi and three print modes in 600 x 400-dpi resolution. In addition, the 160R also boasts the capability to print readable text as small as 4-pt type. Other applications for the print output include P-O-P displays, posters, banners, outdoor advertising, trade-show graphics, decorations, and backlits.

Featuring Durst’s proprietary Quadro Array, the CMYK printer lays down ink drops of 50 to 55 pl. To allow for unattended printing, it also features automatic continuous-ink management system and ink reservoirs of 10 liter/color.

The 160R can be run by one person, reports Durst–from using the software and RIP, to the loading/unloading of media. Media changing is fast, with the included Pneumatic Media Axle to feed heavy rolls into printer.

The 160R also features:

* Autospooling with hot folders for automated, unattended printing;

* Autonesting function for optimum use of media;

* Batch processing for very fast processing of jobs;

* Multiple printing function which allows print jobs to be duplicated on-the-fly and printed side by side;

* Prints cut marks on the image for fully automatic XY cutting with an external cutting devise;

* Linux workstation; and

* Service includes remote diagnostics and online support similar to the Rho 160/205.

Price: 8-head model, $286,000; 16-head model, $368,000. The printers will ship in Q1 2007. Durst will sell the printer and 3M will sell the approved media and inks. Durst inks and various media/substrates will also work in the Rho 160R for applications (although the 3M warranty would not apply in these instances).

DURST

www.durstus.com