EFI launches single pass inkjet for high speed corrugated

Packaging Solutions at drupa

EFI has announced its biggest inkjet product development to date at drupa: the new Nozomi single pass LED technology, which can reach speeds up to 75 linear metres per minute. In addition to its speeds, the new technology gives users the benefit of a low acquisition price with significant total cost of ownership advantages.

This breakthrough innovation appears in one of the first digital inkjet presses designed from the ground up to establish new standards of productivity and innovation in corrugated packaging. The 1.8 metre wide Nozomi C18000 will help corrugated manufacturers and brands access a wide colour gamut and broader design options in corrugated board work with fast turnaround times, all while maintaining low production costs.

The sheetfed digital packaging press has run speeds up to 8100 m2 per hour and can print on boards up to 1.8 x 3 metres in size. A double lane printing feature enables full utilisation of the press's speed and width and increases throughput up to 9000 80 x 60 cm boards per hour.

‘EFI's next generation of innovation brings to market the strongest combination of versatility, imaging quality and production speeds at a total cost of ownership that is far below similar single pass platforms,’ said Guy Gecht, CEO. ‘When commercially available next year, the Nozomi C18000 press will finally give the corrugated packaging market a unique solution to establish a profitable business around on-demand, customised digital printing.’

To create the press, EFI combined some of the best features from many of its leading edge development operations, including precision, single pass inkjet imaging systems from EFI Jetrion digital press facilities and the company's Cretaprint ceramic decoration printer operations; advanced LED inkjet innovations from EFI's global ink development centres; superwide format press technology from Vutek; scalable Fiery digital front end processing and management technology from EFI's Silicon Valley development centre; and cloud based remote diagnostics and support advancements from the company's Bengaluru, India, technical hub.

Running everything from 14 point cardstock to a full range of corrugated flutes, including triple wall, without slowing down, the corrugated board press prints in up to seven colours, including white, and provides high quality output with resolutions up to 360 x 720 dpi with four level greyscale imaging. An in line primer will gives users control over dot gain and ink absorption on different types of corrugated top sheets.

EFI is planning to start installations of Nozomi C18000 presses within the next 12 months.