Tx3-1600 Stretches Mimaki

Mimaki's new Tx3-1600 textile printer
supports printing on stretchable and
thin fabrics. The 64-in. piezo-electric
drop-on-demand printer utilizes 9- or
11-color acid or reactive dye (acid”?
CMYKcm, gray, blue, red; reactive”?
CMYKcm, gray, blue, orange, red, golden
yellow) inks. Inks are in two 1-liter
tanks (conventional 220-ml Tx2-1600
can also be used) that can be replaced,
even during operation, through a convenient
toggle switch. And the Tx3-
1600's Ink End detection function
allows users to reduce waste by allowing
ink to be used to the last drop. In
addition, the ANR (Automatic Nozzle
Recovery) system monitors ink squirting
and automatically cleans heads as
needed.

Featuring Epson printheads, the Tx3
offers print speeds up to 290 sq ft/hr,
resolutions up to 720 x 720 dpi, uni- and
bi-directional printing, and 2- to 16-pass
print modes. The printer is compatible
with RIPs from Ergosoft, Shiraz, and
DigiFab.

The new Tx3-1600 differs from
Mimaki's Tx2-1600 in that the Tx3 will
print on stretchy and thin materials
without a paper backing. In addition , the
Tx3 is designed as a production textile
printer, capable of printing 24/7, whereas
the Tx2 is meant more for proofs and
short-runs.

The Tx3-1600 also includes Tx Link
Design software (Mac and Windows) for
textile design; Tx Link Color Book/Tx
Link Book Editor (Windows) to generate
color-replacement files for variable color
scheme printing; and Tx Link Print (Windows)
for printing various design repeat
patterns.

The supply mechanism is capable of
feeding large-diameter heavy fabric, as
well as stretchable and thin fabrics. Tension
can be adjusted depending on the
fabric's weave, thickness, and stretchability.
In addition, the Tx3-1600 features
a conveyor belt that does not pull the
fabric; a washing mechanism for the
conveyor belt; a wrinkle removal roller
that stretches the fabric outwards, thus
reducing wrinkles; and a drying mechanism
to reduce reverse-side bleeding.

Price: $120,000, US deliveries are
expected to begin in Feb. or March 2005. (Mimaki:
www.mimakiusa.com)