EFI Unveils Vutek 3360, QS3200, and More

EFI introduced several new printers and a new printer platform, as well as updates on its BioVu inks and distribution.

Based on the Vutek UltraVu II 3360 printer, the new 126-in. Vutek 3360 is now more versatile and scalable. And, with several models within the 3360 line now available, it is being touted as a platform rather than a printer. Promoted as the ??”????ideal first Vutek for commercial printers,??”??”? the 3360 now offers Entry Level and Full Production Level models, compatibility with Vutek BioVu inks, a choice between regular and Fast 4 printing, and 4-, 6-, and 8-color printing.

The differences between the Entry Level and Full Production Level machines are specific to functionality and productivity, says Mike Wozny, EFI Vutek product manager. ??”????A fully configured Full-Production printer is capable of both 8-color and Fast 4 printing up to 1622 sq ft/hr, solvent and dye-sub applications, 2-sided backlit printing, and more. An Entry 8-channel printer produces up to 632 sq ft/hr and prints good-quality solvent applications and, more importantly, can be upgraded in the field to Full Production Level printer.??”??”?

All 3360 models offer 720-dpi apparent resolutions (360-dpi addressable), and 80-pl Spectra Nova printheads. As Wozny indicates, top speeds will vary with the model chosen: Entry Level model, 316 sq ft/hr; Entry Level Fast 4, 632 sq ft/hr; Full Production model, 341 sq ft/hr; Full Production Fast 4, 1622 sq ft/hr. Customers also can choose between the EFI Fiery XF RIP or ColorBurst RIP.

Now optional on the 3360 is a second-ink delivery system, allowing a single machine to utilize both Vutek BioVu solvent and Vutek dye-sublimation inks??”??”?the user simply has to flip a switch. Vutek inks are supplied in 3.25-ltanks and are available in CMYKcm and White. Other optional equipment includes an alignment system to enable front/back registration required for two-sided printing.

Entry-level printers are field upgradeable; upgrades to existing UltraVu II 3360 printers begin in Q1 2007.

Price: $149,000 to $279,000.

Like its sister printer, the QS2000 (introduced earlier this year), the new 126.5-in. Vutek QS3200 features EFI??”??”??s High Definition Printing (HDP) capability that offers resolutions up to 1080 dpi, 6-color imaging, EFI Fiery XF image processing, and image-smoothing technology. With Seiko 30-picoliter printheads and three heads per channel, the QS3200 features 6-color CMYKcm + White UV-curable inks, and prints crisp text as small as 4-pt type.

The QS3200 produces speeds up to 900 sq ft/hr rollfed or 22 4 x 8-ft boards/hr, and offers resolutions between 540 and 1080 dpi. Equipped with a vacuum bed and accommodating substrates up to 2-in. thick, the QS3200 is able to switch over between roll and rigid feeds in less than a minute, says the company. The QS3200 also offers a feed-side control module and multi-job layout function to com??”?bine separate jobs into one print run to reduce substrate waste.

Buyers can choose between the EFI Fiery XF RIP or the ColorBurst RIP.

Price: $475,000.

In addition, EFI has modified the formulation of its Vutek BioVu solvent inks. After the first stage of beta testing, the inks are now optimized for additional substrates, produce better color density, a wider gamut, dense blacks, and offer improved shelf stability, says the company.

EFI also has announced distribution agreements with Pitman/Charrette and Global Imaging. Pitman/Charrette will now distribute Vutek printers and EFI front ends, while Global Imaging will sell the Vutek product line, as well as EFI??”??”??s workflow and business-manage??”?ment solutions.

EFI
www.efi.com