Three New Printers From HP

HP rolled out three new printers at the SGIA show: two UV flatbeds-the HP Scitex FB7500 and the HP Scitex FB950-and a UV rollfed model, the HP Scitex TJ8550.

The HP Scitex FB7500 is a UV flatbed inkjet capable of printing at speeds from 1500-5280 sq ft/hr, depending on the print mode selected. Designed for close-view, high-quality applications such as point-of-purchase and point-of-sale, the machine has 312 HP Scitex X2 piezo printheads (52 per color) with MEMS technology that support a maximum image resolution of 500 dpi.

The FB7500 prints on rigid and flexible media up to 65 x 126 in. and 1-in. thick and features HP Scitex FB220 low-VOC UV inks in six colors (CMYKcm) that are reported to provide two years outdoor durability. Inks are distributed in 5-liter containers that can be refilled during operation. The machine also features a three-quarter automated loading system to increase productivity: The operator inserts each sheet between sensors, and the loader takes the sheet away, registers it, and aligns it accurately; unloading is fully automatic.

Onyx I-RIP Plus software for HP Scitex drives the printer. The front-end software allows for loading new files during printing; queuing; step and repeat; and double-sided printing.

HP reports that options including white ink, varnish, and a fully automated workflow will be available in the future.

Also introduced was the HP Scitex FB950, a six-color (CMYKcm) flatbed industrial UV inkjet with optional roll-media printing capabilities. Four print modes are supported by the system to provide output speeds from 113-861 sq ft/hr. The FB950 can produce double-sided prints and full-bleed graphics at a maximum resolution of 1200 x 600 dpi. Media up to 98.4 x 80 in. and 2.5-in. thick can be printed on the machine.

It comes with a media-loading system to minimize sheet-loading times and allows simultaneous printing on up to six sheets of rigid media.

Inks are in three-liter containers; interactive technology tracks and displays the amount of ink remaining for each color, allowing the operator to monitor the ink and plan ahead prior to long print runs.

Other FB950 features include an onboard camera-based printhead alignment system, automatic printhead maintenance, and a touch-screen user interface.

Roll-feed and take-up system is optional, as is a second set of roller tables.

The new HP Scitex TJ8550 printer is a six-color UV inkjet designed for high-speed printing of flexible media. Built on the company’s TJ8500 (which is being discontinued), the roll-fed device offers a higher print speed and better ink coverage than its predecessor, HP reports, and also has a new dedicated inkset.

The TJ8550 offers three standard print modes that provide output speeds of 1076, 3228, and 5166 sq ft/hr. The printer provides a top resolution of 600 dpi and produces a maximum print size of 61 x 144 in.

The machine can print on nearly any sheet or roll-fed material up to 0.5-mm thick, including uncoated or untreated materials such as paper, self-adhesive vinyl, banner, canvas, and paper-back flag; it can also print on uncoated synthetics such as Tyvek and Yupo. A Double Sided upgrade is optional, allowing for high-quality, two-sided printing. (This option can also be made in the field to existing TJ8500s.)

The Onyx I-Plus RIP for Scitex is included; features include enhanced color management, the ability to work in parallel on two separate files simultaneously, and more.

Available February 2009. TJ8500 models can be upgraded to the new TJ8550.

In addition:

* The company's HP Designjet L65500 made its North American debut (it initially premiered at Drupa; see our August issue, p. 7). The six-color 104-in. roll-fed printer uses HP’s water-based Latex inks and boasts a maximum speed of 800 sq ft/hr for outdoor-quality prints and a speed of 400 sq ft/hr for indoor-quality output. Its top resolution is 1200 x 600 dpi.

* HP has expanded its HP Graphic Arts Capture program to cover the wide-format arena. A collection of tools and training initiatives to help print providers gain a competitive edge, the Capture program includes: locator guides for finishing equipment, digital front ends, and media; vertical market overviews for applications; large-format market studies; customizable marketing templates; open house planning guides; and much more.

HEWLETT-PACKARD
www.hp.com