The Rho 160W Plus direct to media inkjet printer
Once again, Durst demonstrated their technical supremacy by demonstrating their ability to print white ink on the Rho 160W Plus direct to media inkjet printer. Throughout the exhibition, the Rho continued to print different images featuring white ink on a wide range of materials, both roll and sheet fed. Whilst others might claim a white ink capability, only Durst was able to demonstrate consistent and reliable print production.

The Rho 160W Plus is the white ink version of the recently introduced Rho 160 Plus, which is the latest version of the highly successful Rho 160.

The white ink feature allows users to create a white background, ideal for coloured and clear media. Several different user selectable white ink print options include, underprinting white areas, fill white areas or details, print white as a spot colour, produce cleaner backgrounds on coloured media, and create more contrast in images.

The Rho 160 Plus has many new features over its predecessor, which include a new revolutionary print head layout. This allows for faster printing speeds without sacrificing image quality. There are four printing modes, offering real high speed printing up to approximately 80m2 per hour, (using 62 inch wide roll media).

Additional new features also include, increased front-to-back registration of ±0.5 mm, a user selectable CMYK or RGB workflow (unique to the Rho 160 Plus) with corresponding Colour Management System and the optional Durst feeder/stacker system.

The new Rho 205/16 direct to media inkjet printer
Drupa proved to be an exciting time for Durst. In addition to the Rho 160W Plus, also on their stand was the new Rho 205/16. This was the first showing of this brand new development to the Rho 205/8. As the name implies, it has an increased number of print heads from eight to sixteen, effectively doubling the print output whilst maintaining the same high quality. It also demonstrates the unique modular concept of the Rho 205 design.

White ink now available for the Rho 205
Two more important developments on the Rho 205 were launched at Drupa. Firstly, the machine on display was equipped with roll to roll feed in addition to the standard sheet feed. The other product development now available is the optional white ink feature as demonstrated by the Rho 160W Plus. This means that, with immediate availability, either the Rho 160 or the Rho 205 can be supplied with a white ink capability.

The Rho 205 features a modular design approach, which will allow the machine to ågrowπ with an ownerπs business, for example in speed, with the increase in print heads to sixteen; the optional white ink feature and the roll to roll print capability. It can also be used with Durstπs new feeder/stacker system for sheet fed material.

Used for printing boards mainly, it features CMYK work flow and can print boards up to 205cm wide by any length. Using Durstπs own highly regarded UV curing ink and piezo inkjet technology as the Rho 160 Plus, the Rho 205/16 has 3 levels of productivity. In standard mode it is capable of printing 40m2 per hour. The Rho prints on a vast range of different materials including those with a structured surface i.e. hard foam boards, soft foam boards, aluminium, acrylics, cardboard, corrugated boards etc. It will print on boards up to a thickness of 40mm, the Rho 205i, designed for industrial applications, will print up to 70mm.

Durstπs first visit to Drupa was a great success
Durst was delighted with their first visit to Drupa, which has proven to be a great success by generating a large number of very positive sales leads. These included selling the demonstration Rho 205/16 off the stand to the Panorama Group in Spain, whose Chairman, Mr Ricardo Rodriguez, is also the Chairman of FESPA.