Nessan Cleary reports directly from FESPA: Fujifilm has used the Fespa show in Munich, Germany, to introduce a new wide format printer, the Acuity Prime Hybrid, which is essentially a roll-to-roll hybrid version of its existing flatbed models complete with a four-zone vacuum platen.
Fujifilm's new Acuity Prime Hybrid printer at FESPA - [image: Nessan Cleary]
Nessan Cleary Fujifilm has used the Fespa show in Munich, Germany, to introduce a new wide format printer, the Acuity Prime Hybrid, which is essentially a roll-to-roll hybrid version of its existing flatbed models complete with a four-zone vacuum platen.
The new Hybrid model is based on the existing Acuity Prime devices, which were launched at last year’s Fespa show in Amsterdam. Consequently it has the same print carriage as the Prime 20, 30 and L models and uses the same Ricoh Gen5 printheads. The Acuity Prime models are built by a well-known Chinese company, which Fujifilm does not want to name, but which is free to sell its version itself, and to other OEMs. Steve Cookman, wide format inkjet solutions manager for Fujifilm Europe, said: “We work with our partners to advance their offering. There are new elements on this that we designed.” Thus Fujifilm has developed its own waveforms to drive the printheads and had a hand in developing the Graphical User Interface.
The heads have been set up to produce a native drop size of 7 picolitres plus one other larger drop size for three levels of greyscale (including 0). There are seven ink channels for CMYK plus white, clear and primer as optional extras. The inks are Fujifilm’s own Uvijet HM backed up by an air-cooled LED UV curing system.
The maximum printable width is 2m and it will take rollfed media up to 100 kg total weight. It is supplied with tables for rigid media and will take boards up to 1350mm in length with one table or up to 2120mm long with two tables. The rigid media can be up to 45kg per square metre in weight and 51mm in height.
It can produce up to 141 sqm/hr in draft mode, though a more realistic production speed would be 43sqm/hr, dropping to 14sqm/hr in its Fine Art mode.
It can print to all the usual display graphics media including self adhesive PVC, banner and polyester textiles as well as Correx, acrylic, foam PVC and ACM - aluminium composite materials.
The new Acuity Prime Hybrid is not available immediately but a beta installation will take plave in the UK next month (June), with Fujifilm targeting a nearer end-of-year global availability. The pricing has yet to be determined.
