9th October 2014
DS Smith leads the way with corrugated printer from
Fujifilm
Leading packaging company is first in the world to invest in combination of
Inca Onset S40i, low odour inks and automated handling system
Fujifilm today announces that UK-based DS Smith has made a significant
new investment in a flatbed digital printing system that will deliver further
improvements in quality for its customers, as well as ensure greater
production efficiency.
The supply cycle specialist has chosen Fujifilm‘s corrugated solution – a
combination of the Inca Onset S40i digital printer, Uvijet OL inks and fully
automated handling system – which has been installed at a Display
production site in the UK. DS Smith is the first packaging company in the
world to place an order for the complete offering, which will enable it to
produce a range of single and double-sided corrugated display and
packaging applications, at a productivity of over 500m2/hr.
David Atchinson, Display Manufacturing Manager at DS Smith, said the
automatic handling system was a big factor in their decision to opt for Fujifilm.
He said: “The fully automated handling system will maximise productivity and
allow our operators, after starting the run, to focus their attention elsewhere
as the print job is running.ˮ
“We were also very impressed to see how effectively the system handles
single or double sided print, enabling a wide variety of board types to be
perfectly printed whilst being held flat on the table.ˮ
He concludes: “Exceptional print quality, production speed and reliability
were other key drivers when we reviewed the various offerings. Fujifilm’s
solution was the only one that easily ticked all these boxes for us. Finally, the
Uvijet OL low odour ink will allow maximum functionality, delivering a superb
gloss with excellent finishing properties. Overall, a brilliant solution.ˮ
ENDS
About Fujifilm’s corrugated solution
The combination of the Inca Onset S40i printer, Uvijet ink and automated handling
system sets a new standard for printers in the corrugated display market to work to,
removing the need to make any compromises to produce high quality POP displays.
The Inca Onset S40i produces superb POS-quality display graphics economically at
throughput speeds of up to 560 sqm/hr, equivalent to 112 full bed sheets/hr (3.14 x
1.6m) and onto substrates up to 50mm (2 in) thick. A choice of uni-directional, bidirectional and super high quality print modes can be selected depending on the
specific job requirements. As a result, it is ideal for the production of single and
double-sided display POS, exhibition graphics, backlit/frontlit displays, outdoor
signage printing and cosmetic/fashion graphics etc.
Uvijet OL is a new low odour corrugated ink from Fujifilm, which satisfies the DiN
EN 1230-1 standard aimed at display and secondary packaging, with the residual
odour for OL mimicking that of water based flexo inks.
The fully automated handling system utilises a robotic arm and camera system to
distinguish the location and orientation of a stack (within 0.5mm), separate the top
sheet and transfer it to the vacuum bed of the Onset without any gripping or
squeezing which could leave marks on the outer edge. This enables the
transportation of uneven materials (which could have up to a 20mm difference per
linear metre in distribution end-to-end), to be held flat on the table with no marks
affecting the printed area. This eliminates the need for an excessive gap between
print heads and substrate thus maintaining sharp text and image quality on these
difficult surfaces. Once printing is complete a second automated head also utilising
a vacuum system picks up the printed sheet and drops it onto a delivery stack. With
both heads working simultaneously, the productivity of the Onset is increased to over
500m2/hr.
About Inca Digital Printers
Inca Digital Printers, part of the Dainippon Screen Group, is one of the world’s
leading pioneers and manufacturers of flat-bed inkjet printing technology. The Eagle
and Columbia printers set the early standards in UV inkjet flatbed printing. Today the
ground-breaking Onset Series ensures that Inca’s products remain at the forefront
of productivity, quality and reliability. Fujifilm manufactures and develops the UV inks
used in Inca machines and sells the flatbed printers around the world. Inca’s facility
in Cambridge, UK, incorporates R&D, customer support, machine assembly and
commissioning, a dedicated training facility and a clean room for printhead assembly
and refurbishment. With approximately 20% of staff involved in R&D, a significant
investment here helps the company maintain its position at the forefront of machine
productivity, innovation, quality and reliability. www.incadigital.com
About FUJIFILM Corporation
FUJIFILM Corporation is one of the major operating companies of FUJIFILM
Holdings. Since its founding in 1934, the company has built up a wealth of advanced
technologies in the field of photo imaging, and in line with its efforts to become a
comprehensive healthcare company, Fujifilm is now applying these technologies to
the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the Medical and Life Science
fields. Fujifilm is also expanding growth in the highly functional materials business,
including flat panel display materials, and in the graphic systems and optical devices
businesses.
About Fujifilm Graphic Systems
Fujifilm Graphic Systems is a stable, long term partner focussed on delivering high
quality, technically advanced print solutions that help printers develop competitive
advantage and grow their businesses. The company’s financial stability and
unprecedented investment in R&D enable it to develop proprietary technologies for
best-in-class printing. These include pre-press and pressroom solutions for offset,
wide-format and digital print, as well as workflow software for print production
management. Fujifilm is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its
products and operations, proactively working to preserve the environment, and
strives to educate printers about environmental best practice. For more information,
visit
www.fujifilm.eu/eu/products/graphic-systems/,
or
www.youtube.com/FujifilmGSEurope or follow us on @FujifilmPrintEU
About DS Smith
DS Smith operates in over 20 countries and employs around 22,000 people. Using
the combined expertise of our four divisions – Packaging, Recycling, Paper and
Plastics – we work with customers to deliver solutions that reduce complexity and
deliver results throughout the Supply Cycle. For more information, visit
www.dssmith.com.
DS Smith is the UK’s leading supplier of corrugated packaging. Our comprehensive
product range includes retail ready packaging, transit cases, consumer units, packs
printed for gift and POS applications, and heavy duty packaging for industry. DS
Smith’s national network of manufacturing plants service thousands of customers,
from multinationals to local businesses.
Using PackRight®, our unique way of working, our highly-skilled people work closely
with customers to specify packaging that achieves real results. Typically our
customers achieve sales growth, or reductions in cost, waste and carbon at every
stage of the Supply Cycle. For more information, visit www.dssmithpackaging.co.uk.
For further information contact:
Elni Stofberg / Isabella Schiavi
AD Communications
E: estofberg@adcomms.co.uk / ischiavi@adcomms.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1372 464470
Inca Digital Printers
Heather Kendle
E:heather.kendle@incadigital.com
T: +44 (0)1223 577800
Splash!PR
Ruth Clark / Melinda Williams
E:ruth@splashpr.co.uk/melindaw@splashpr.co.uk
T: +44 (0)1580 241177
Press+ (Americas)
Irvin Press
E: irv@press-plus.com
T: +1 508 384 0608
DS Smith
Bray Leino
Lisa Gibson/Simon Peevers
E: dssmith@brayleino.co.uk
T: +44 117 973 1173