Fujifilm Jet Press 750S
Fujifilm’s Jet Press, the digital B2 sheetfed press that exceeds litho print quality, has undergone a major re-modelling, becoming the Jet Press 750S. With a higher performance specification, the third-generation Jet Press 750S is billed as “the fastest B2 full-colour digital press on the market”.
The maximum sheet format is slightly larger, at 750 x 585 mm, and it can handle thicker stock weights up to 600 microns.
Another option likely to appeal to packaging printers is the recently-launched water-based food safe ink.Thanks to the XMF ColorPath Brand Color Optimizer, the 750S can match up to 90% of Pantone colours and accomplish ISO 12647-2, ISO 12647-2 plus spot colours, and wide gamut printing.
In addition the Brand Color optimizer can profile 1872 in under one hour, for any given substrate. “We can print every Pantone colour across three charts, and then measure every patch. It takes less than 45 minutes to produce an optimised colour library,” explained workflow product group manager John Davies. The Brand Color Optimizer also works for other colour libraries, such as HKS or Toyo inks.The Jet Press 750S has been installed, and running since last November at Fujifilm’s Advanced Printing Technology Centre near Brussels where printers interested in the 750S can see it operating, and have their files printed.
The new 750S prints at 3,600sph, which is 33% faster than the 720S, but also has other productivity benefits. Like the 720S it is a simplex device, but the workflow for automated handling of the content for double-sided jobs using barcodes has been improved. As well as the speed boost the new 750S uses new Samba printheads from Fujifilm Dimatix that have a higher jetting frequency. Resolution is 1,200x1,200dpi and the VersaDrop jetting technology uses four different drop sizes.
Features
High image quality exceeding offset printing
By integrating “Rapic Technology,” which creates sharp, blur-free dot formations, with the advanced ultra-high-density/high-precision “SAMBA” printheads and aqueous pigment “VIVIDA” ink with its wide color range and high color development, both photos and letters can be printed at a quality equal to or even better than offset.
High-speed output of 3,600 sheets per hour
A high-speed output of 3,600 sheets per hour, 1.3x faster than that of the conventional Jet Press 720S, has been achieved with the increased printhead droplet ejection speed and improved accuracy in ink ejection control. Drying time has also been shortened by adopting a new drying mechanism that brings the paper into close contact with the belt conveyor to apply direct heat.
Expanded printing paper size
The maximum paper size has been expanded from 750mm x 532mm to 750mm x 585mm, making it possible to include six pages of B5 size or letter size, which see particularly high demand in Japan, Europe, and the United States. This greatly improves production efficiency.
Reduced drying unit size
A new drying mechanism has been adopted with a total length approximately 70cm smaller than that of the Jet Press 720S. The installation area is 10m x 5.2m, approximately 15% smaller than the conventional machine, allowing it to be operated in a smaller space.
High-precision drawing quality inspection (optional extra)
Through use of a drawing quality inspection function (in-line sensor) that scans the entire image area, highly precise inspection checking for finishing with stable printing quality is made possible, contributing to a reduction in inspection and sorting steps after output.
Enhanced productivity and up-time
The increase in top line press speeds has been achieved by the further development of two major parts of the press. The first is the inclusion of the next generation of Samba printheads. Printing on paper moving at the higher speed of 3,600 sheets per hour requires a corresponding speed upgrade to the number of ink droplets deposited per second. The jetting frequency of the new generation Samba printheads has therefore been increased from 25 kHz to 33 kHz to speed up dot placement and counteract the increased effects of possible turbulence. It also has the additional benefit of reducing dot placement variations, therefore improving quality.
The combination of a larger sheet size (increased from 750mm x 532mm to 750mm x 585mm), even better up-time, a 33% faster press speed, and quicker finishing mean the overall ability of this new press to print longer runs and improve job turnaround times still further is significant.
Exceptional quality and colour capaility
The Jet Press 720S has already built a formidable reputation for exceptional print quality, and here the Jet Press 750S is no different. It features the same Rapid Coagulation Primer technology, allowing it to be used with standard coated and uncoated offset paper stock, benefits from the same superb sheet-to-sheet registration, and the addition of the latest generation of Samba printheads improves dot placement accuracy even further. The Jet Press 750S also features the same extended colour gamut called ‘MaxGamut’ which, depending on the media used, allows up to 90% of the Pantone library of 1,872 colours to be printed within a Delta E of 3 or less, providing an exceptional colour match on a four colour press.
To improve the press’s capability with regards to spot and Pantone colours even further, Fujifilm has added a new module to its XMF ColorPath tool, called XMF ColorPath Brand Color Optimizer. This new module enables users to profile the entire Pantone library for any chosen media type, and will ensure that each and every Pantone colour is printed as accurately as physically possible. What is unique to Brand Color Optimizer, however, is the ability to predict how accurately a Pantone colour will be printed before actually printing. This means decisions about printing a specific job can be made up front, and no time is wasted trying to achieve what is not possible.
Finally, in addition to the In-Line Scanning (ILS) system also found in the Jet Press 720S, the Jet Press 750S incorporates a new optional ImageConfidence scanning system as further reassurance. This uses a proprietary AI algorithm to evaluate the full print area of a B2 sheet on-the-fly, ensuring every sheet matches a pre-approved image.
Perfect for packaging
Currently, around a third of all current European Jet Press customers already produce some form of packaging on the press. With its 33% speed boost and variable data printing at full speed, the new Jet Press 750S is ideally suited to printing versioned and short run packaging to coincide with specific events, localities or store promotions.
The introduction of the Jet Press 750S is likely to accelerate this trend. It can be modified to accommodate heavier weight folding carton stock (up to 0.6mm in thickness), and printed sheets from the press have been tested and found to be compatible with a wide range of analogue and digital coating, foiling, lamination and cutting solutions. An automatic bridge is also available to connect to online coating solutions.
Fujifilm is now also able to offer a food safe ink, making the Jet Press 750S the first B2 digital press approved to print primary food packaging. This new, low migration, aqueous food safe ink complies with stringent regulations, including Swiss Ordinance 817.023.21 and European Commission Regulation 1935/2004, and has been specially formulated for coatings to be applied inline (via a bridge) or near line.
Remote usability
Remote usability has also been improved on the Jet Press 750S, with users able to carry out job management tasks, including allocating new jobs and certain press functions, remotely via an iPad (additional option).
De-inkability of printed sheets
Finally, the new press, like the Jet Press 720S, features excellent de-inkability of printed sheets, while the new drying system, which requires 23% less power, offers an additional environmental benefit.
Specification
| Specifications | Value |
|---|---|
| Printing-head | Next generation Samba printheads |
| Colours | 4 color, CMYK, extended gamut |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1200 dpi, VersaDrop technology with 4 level greyscale |
| Productivity | Up to 3600 B2 sheets per hour (static and variable jobs) |
| Workflow | XMF Workflow V6.x or later, or a third party workdlow with XMF Processor |
| Variable data capability | Yes, thanks to barcode system and high capacity data transfer |
| Maximum sheet size | 750 mm x 585 mm |
| Printable area | 733 mm x 567 mm |
| Thickness | 0.09 mm - 0.34 mm. When configured for heavier, folding carton stocks: 0.2 mm – 0.6 mm |
| Type | Standard offset coated and uncoated paper, Canvas, Heavier duty folding carton board, Some plastics |
| Dimensions | 7.35m (L) x 2.65m (W) x 2.05m (H)* * The height when cover is open is 2293mm |
| Space requirements | 10m x 5.2m x 3m including transformer and workflow RIP |
| Required weight bearing load | More than 2.2 tonnes/square metre |
| Power requirements | 330A/ 200-230VAC |
| Operating environment | 20 – 28°C, 40 – 60% RH |