Xeikon Unveils drupa Offerings for Labels, Packaging and Document Printing
EEDE, the Netherlands — March 21, 2016 – In its first major show since it was acquired by Flint Group, Xeikon has a number of headliners prepared for drupa 2016, Messe Düsseldorf, May 31 to June 10 to be presented in Hall 8a. These include its brand-new Trillium One press based on the technology demonstration of Trillium at drupa 2012 and Fusion, the next big thing in packaging and labels.
Flint Group will have a presence in: Hall 3 where it will talk to visitors about its wide range of consumables; Hall 8a where an information hub will highlight the group synergies and Hall 8b with BasysPrint and Thermoflexx where together they will continue the conversation on the commonalities in prepress.
“Our drupa theme is Direct. Dedicated. Digital.” says Danny Mertens, Xeikon corporate communications manager, “and visitors to our stand will see that in action, with innovations across the board. This includes workflow efficiencies with our digital front end, the print engines themselves, our unique consumables and our next-generation approach to finishing. Our stand at drupa will have something for everyone in the printing industry, and visitors are guaranteed to go away with new ideas about how they can expand their capabilities to drive profitability.”
Trillium One: The missing link
Since the announcement of its breakthrough Trillium liquid toner technology at drupa 2012, Xeikon has been working to commercialize the first digital press using Trillium technology and will present the brand-new Trillium One four-color press at drupa 2016. Capable of running at 60 m. (200 ft.)/min. at 1200 dpi, with a print width of 500 mm (19.7˝), it combines cost-effectiveness, high quality and speed for the ultimate in digital printing performance. Trillium One is the missing link in the industry for high volume direct marketing materials and publishing such as catalogs. Many of these applications will also be demonstrated during the show.
Mertens comments, “Trillium One adds a new dimension to the world of digital printing that has not previously existed in the marketplace. It has the ability to take digital printing to a new level in terms of price/performance metrics - all features that make the Trillium unique. Also its high resolution imaging heads and toner particle size of less than 2 microns create a winning combination."
Drupa visitors wishing to more deeply explore Trillium technology, can enjoy a Trillium Virtual Reality Experience and take a peek inside the press to better understand its unique characteristics. “This is a very cool way for people to get a good look inside the workings of the press, and really gain a good understanding of its unique contribution to the industry," Mertens adds. A Trillium theatre on the booth will also stage five live daily demos.
A Liquid Tonnik
Xeikon will also present its unrivaled toner capabilities as part of production areas focused on labels, folding cartons and document and commercial printing. This includes its own-developed Tonnik, a liquid toner developed for Trillium One, that combines all the advantages of dry toner in a liquid format. Tonnik has a lot of potential for future developments, it will become the most sustainable, environmentally friendly and economical colorant for the digital printing industry.
In-Line Finishing for Labels
For labels, the Xeikon CX3, which has seen more than 20 systems installed since its September 2015 launch, will be producing a broad array of applications with inline finishing. Its top speed of 30 m/min. (98 ft./min.) ensures it is the most productive five-color digital label press in its class.
The five-color Xeikon 3500, the flagship of the Xeikon 3000 series, will show folding carton applications. By using CMYK + Orange toners as an example, packaging converters can extend their color gamut to be able to achieve more than 72% of Pantone colors. It has a variable width of 250mm (9.8”) up to 516mm (20.3”), runs at a top speed of >1600 B2 sheets/hour and even produces B2+ format . The production line will include a Web Varnishing Module (WVM) inline for spot and flood coating with UV and aqueous varnishes, a waste separator and a stacker with a capacity of up to 450mm. This delivers a fully functional end-to-end configuration for folding carton printing.
Folding Diecut Unit (FDU)
Xeikon FDU Completes the Folding Carton Suite
Xeikon will also be showing its own developed digital diecutting unit for folding carton applications. This nearline flatbed unit was developed to enable customers to better complete in short run carton conversion with streamlined and responsive production.
“The addition of the Folding Diecut Unit (FDU) demonstrates Xeikon’s commitment to providing complete solutions,” adds Mertens. “Working with our customers, we have seen that there is need for a solution to help speed up production. This unit is ideal for short-run, fast turnaround work and helps to eliminate production bottle-necks.”
Xeikon 9800
Growth Opportunities in the Document Market
Xeikon’s technology is steeped in innovation for the document market; and at drupa, the Xeikon 9800 will represent the latest developments. It can print on a wide range of untreated substrates ranging from 40gsm to 350gsm at a resolution of 1200x3600 with variable dot density for unmatched quality. Combined with the variable data capabilities of the Xeikon X-800 front-end, this press is perfectly suited for high-end direct marketing work. It will be shown in a roll-to-roll configuration to demonstrate economies and scale of production, with finishing by Xeikon Aura partner Hunkeler.
Fusion Technology: The next big thing in labels and packaging production
With Fusion Technology, Xeikon comes very close to a fully automated, unattended label and packaging production. It combines full-color production printing with digital embellishment of labels and packaging in a single-pass, fully digital production process. It is comprised of a series of embellishment modules that will be released over time as components of an entirely new modular system with the digital front-end taking care of prepress, data processing, color management and press operation as well as full control and operation of all embellishment modules without any manual intervention. Potential modules include hot / cold foiling; screen prints; matte, gloss and structured flood and spot varnish; and digital Braille.
Fusion technology
Leveraging the cloud for better color management with XeikonColorControl
This cloud-based service lets printers ensure repeatable, predictable colors and the best simulation of custom spot colors. It generates high quality ICC-profiles with special prefixed settings that are optimized for labels and packaging applications, document printing and book printing. Calculations are performed on the web server and communicated to prepress or production within minutes.
Brand Protection
In response to customer requests for security features, anti-counterfeiting and brand protection features, particularly for applications such as tax stamps and vouchers, Xeikon has incorporated a growing range of digital security printing features into its hardware and software. These include taggant marked spot color toner. Taggants are microscopic chemical markers that can be added to the substrate or the toner itself, to allow various forms of verification. They are already used for high security documents such as banknotes, identification documents and other valuable paper-based products.
Speak to Our Experts
Xeikon’s Services offering will be well represented at the booth, too, with Xeikon experts on hand to share advice on quality, productivity and technology. Xeikon services range from installation, setup and support to a range of Premium Services that includes training and education, color services and business development training and advice.
Xeikon will be promoting the power of its long-established Aura partner program that brings all Xeikon partners together under a central umbrella. Customers benefit from a transparent overview of all tested and approved total solutions enabled through Xeikon's extensive set of industry partners and rigorous certification process.
Mertens adds, “Aura gets stronger all the time and underscores the fact that we place great importance on helping our customers develop the most effective and efficient workflow process for their operational needs, whether components are manufactured by Xeikon or trusted partners. By partnering with the industry’s best, we can bring to market solutions that will benefit our customers, giving them the most efficient and effective workflow possible.”
He concludes, “We are excited to be bringing so many of our market-leading technologies to drupa 2016 with our new owners Flint Group. We are even more excited to meet existing and future Xeikon customers at this important industry event. Our expanded presence at drupa reinforces our dedication to showcasing how Xeikon customers can benefit from end-to-end productivity and increased profitability.”
About Xeikon
Xeikon, a division of Flint Group, is a long-standing leader and innovator in digital printing technology. Grounded in the principles of quality, flexibility and sustainability, Xeikon designs, develops and delivers web-fed digital colour presses for label and packaging applications, document printing and commercial printing. These presses utilise LED-array-based electrophotography, open workflow software and application-specific toners.
As an OEM supplier, Xeikon also designs and produces plate makers for newspaper printing applications. In addition, Xeikon manufactures basysPrint computer-to-conventional plate (CtCP) solutions for the commercial offset printing market. For the flexographic market, Xeikon offers digital platemaking systems under the ThermoFlexX brand name. ThermoFlexX systems provide high-resolution plate exposure combined with unique plate handling, flexibility and unmatched productivity
In 2015, Xeikon joined Flint Group to create a new “Digital Printing Solutions” division for the leading global print consumables and solution provider to the packaging and print media industries. Flint Group develops and manufactures an extensive portfolio of printing consumables. These include a vast range of conventional and energy-curable inks and coatings, pressroom chemicals, printing plates and equipment, printing blankets and sleeves, and pigments and additives for use in inks and other colorant applications. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Flint Group employs some 7900 people. On a worldwide basis, the company is the number one or number two supplier in every major market segment it serves.
