Durst launch the worldπs first dedicated UV curing flatbed inkjet for the packaging industry at FESPA

The new Durst Rhopac flatbed inkjet printer has been created specially for the packaging market. It will provide corrugated packaging companies with the ability to supply print on demand and print low volume projects, profitably. The Rhopac is equally suited to packaging companies intending to focus on market niches, for example personalisation of display material, event promotion and POP material. Its wide range of applications include: highly finished concepts or printed mock-ups; short run print for consumer and test marketing promotions, also in-store sales and marketing research; low volume product packaging used for special promotions; and regionalisation or personalisation of in-store display material and free standing merchandisers.

Durst QuadroÆ Array Technology
The Rhopac has been developed from Durstπs market leading direct to media inkjet technology. It features the new print head array technology with 512 nozzles per array, which is double the number for almost the same space of other inkjet print heads. The space saved allows for more nozzles to be placed in the print carriage and thus achieves both high speed and excellent print quality.

Modular design offers ultimate flexibility
The Rhopac is available in two versions, which are based on output speed:
- The Rhopac Presto, with 8 Quadro arrays and two spot colour channels and maximum print output of 80m2 per hour.
- The Rhopac Rapid, with 16 Quadro arrays and two spot colour channels and maximum print output of 160m2 per hour.
- Both versions are available with different ink options and these include, white, varnish and spot colours.
- Importantly, the printer is designed to be upgradeable with both speed and ink options. The customer is able to upgrade from a Rhopac Presto to a Rhopac Rapid enabling the machine to "grow" with the business. Similarly the ink options listed above can also be added at a later date.

Benefits of UV curing inks
The Rhopac is the worldπs first purpose built inkjet for the packaging market that uses UV curing inks, which offer major benefits over solvent or water based inks. These include, very good ink coverage and very high colour brilliance, even on absorbent liners and good colour retention. In addition, the inks meet stringent environmental requirements and low odour whilst providing the excellent printing characteristics of high flexibility of ink film.

Designed for corrugated board applications
The Rhopac offers both high productivity and outstanding print quality. The Rhopac Rapid is capable of printing up to 160m2 per hour and the Quadro array print heads produce the finest quality of print available with extremely smooth solids and very fine text. The solid colours are rich and clean and it will easily print 6pt reversed out type and A rating barcodes. The Rhopac prints on boards up to 205 cm (80") wide by any length ≠ only limited by the media length and up to a thickness of 40 mm. Automated production is available with the feeder/stacker option and continuous ink supply is made possible with 10 litre ink containers refillable during printing long runs. There are special features for reliable transport of corrugated sheets including board guidance on left and right side (automatic adjustment), special roll guidance at feeding side and at UV lamps and a strong vacuum table with vacuum pump. Also there are features specifically tailored to suit the packaging print environment which include an inline board cleaning unit, very sturdy chassis designed with dust cover function.