Mutoh Spitfire Extreme and BioJet

Mutoh has unveiled its new Spitfire Extreme line and the long-awaited BioJet printer.

The 65-in. Mutoh Spitfire 65 Extreme and the 90-in. Spitfire 90 Extreme utilize mild-solvent inks; print directly onto uncoated, eco-coated, and coated substrates, textiles, and self-adhesive PVC; and are designed for volume production of signs and prints with medium-durability outdoor use. Typical applications include corporate signs, stage and window graphics, P-O-S displays, backlit signage, construction barricades, vehicle and floor graphics, and photography.

Equipped with four 360-nozzle Epson heads, the Spitfire Extreme printers provide Dynamic Variable Dot Imaging technology-with drop volumes from 5.4 to 41.5 ng. The machines offer 2 inksets to choose from: CMYKx2 for speed or CMYKcm for photo imaging. The Spitfire Mild Solvent inks are available in 220- or 440-ml cartridges; an optional bulk-ink system with 4.3-l per tank is also available. These inks offer an outdoor durability of up to 3 yr.

Users can choose from a variety of print modes and resolutions. Resolutions range from 360 x 360 to 720 x 720 dpi. Speeds reach up to 178 sq ft/hr at 540 dpi for production levels; billboard speeds at 360 dpi top out at 237 sq ft/hr.

The rollfed printers feature automatic media thickness compensation and will accept media up to 1.1-mm thick. In addition, Spitfire Extreme printers incorporate Mutoh’s I2 Intelligent Interweaving print technology to reduce horizontal banding and the effects of missing or misfiring nozzles; the I2 printing can be turned on/off by the user.

The Spitfire 65 Extreme is also equipped with a motorized heavy-duty unwinding/winding system to accommodate rolls up to 220 lb as well as four built-in digitally controllable heating elements. Upon purchase, users choose an Onyx or SAi RIP.

Price: Spitfire Extreme 65, $27,000 with a light take-up system; $29,995 with heavy-duty take-up; Spitfire Extreme 90, $39,995.

In addition, Mutoh showed the beta version of the anticipated 64-in. BioJet at ISA. This printer utilizes corn-based Mutoh Bio inks, developed in conjunction with EFI Inkware and recognized by the US EPA’s Design for the Environment program.

Offering resolutions up to 1400 dpi, the hybrid printer images on rigid media as thick as 10 mm. Compatible media includes foamboard, ABS, AES, PVC, PP, glass, aluminum, plastic board, and aluminum composite.

Mutoh expects the BioJet to be released in mid-October 2007.

MUTOH
www.mutoh.com