VUTEk GS3200 Super-wide Format Printer - IT Enquirer

More documents

Recommendations

Info

1 With the iPad, iPhone, Kindle and other digital reading devices, some analysts seem to believe the entire printing market is as good as extinct. Publishers complain about not finding advertisers and therefore losing income. Analysts seem to think advertisers have abandoned printed advertisements altogether, and many of them are investing all of their money into videoclips, animation and Flash content. Print — for the umpteenth time in recent history — has been declared dead. All of this couldn’t be further from the truth. Advertisers are still printing, but they no longer focus exclusively on printed magazines and newspapers as the ultimate outlets for high-quality, attention-grabbing ads. Instead, advertisers are using large format ads to help shape our environment visually. Besides advertisers, print will always appeal to artists because the combination of media, colour, and print medium (ink, paint...) allows them to create effects that are impossible with digital media. Art photographers, graphic designers, fashion photographers, package designers of fashion products — all of them prefer high-quality printed displays with high enough resolution so people can see detail without having to squint. Currently only printed media can deliver such high resolutions together with the necessary colour accuracy to guarantee a company’s logo will be presented the way it should. For prints with dramatic impact, such as large banners, displays, see-through images, etc., screen printing used to be the only option. Screen printing is very labour-intensive and often environmentally aggressive, and there is a digital alternative: inkjet based printing technologies. Inkjet printing technology, and super wide format inkjet printers to be more specific have come to a point where they can replace screen printing technology in 99% of the cases. Super wide format printing takes about 20% of the labour involved with screen printing and can be environment friendly. Super wide format printers can also print to larger media, and with the continuous evolution of inkjet technology, output resolution and colour quality becomes better every year. When we were given the opportunity to thoroughly test a VUTEk GS3200 super wide format printer, we paid particular attention to output quality and performance. These are the features EFI claims to focus on — in that order. Hence, our testing revolved around the following issues: Flexibility. We wanted to know if the GS3200 is capable of printing on multiple media from third party suppliers. We also focused on the ways we could lay down the ink on the media. Different usage patterns. We examined the markets in which the VUTEk GS3200 can be used. Quality of output. We focused on colour accuracy and resolution. Speed. How fast printed media leaves the printer was our next subject of analysis. Environment. We analysed the environment friendliness of this printer. © IT-Enquirer Reports – Erik Vlietinck 2010-2011 - All Rights Reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this publication in any form without prior written permission is forbidden. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. E. Vlietinck disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. Although E. Vlietinck’s research may discuss legal issues related to the information technology business, he does not provide legal advice or services and his research should not be construed or used as such. E. Vlietinck shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein or for interpretations thereof. The opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. For information contact: info@it-enquirer.com.
2 The printer The VUTEk GS3200 is a 3.2 meter wide combination flatbed/roll (also called “hybrid” by some) UV printer with a moving transport belt that gives the printer a maximum speed of 223 square meters per hour. ÃÃ Ink composition ÃÃ Waste control These characteristics also influence the operating costs, keeping those to a minimum, and therefore ensuring a shorter pay-back time of the investment in a VUTEk GS3200. Unique characteristics of the VUTEk GS3200 are its photo quality resolution at 1000 dpi, its selectable 12pl or 24pl ink drop sizes, and its multiple zero points. Further features that characterise the GS3200 are its switching capability between 8 colour and 4 colour printing — both with the addition of two white ink print channels, with each channel representing two heads. The VUTEk GS3200 print head features two UV lamps that can be opened in various configurations, giving the operator multiple ways to finish a print job and obtain subtle and different effects. The intensity of the lamps can be set to 5 pre-defined levels or a custom mode for critical media. Multiple vacuum zones make media — especially roll media — less susceptible to wrinkling, giving a better ‘tack’ and an easier positioning than with super wide format printers lacking this feature. Finally, the printer has been built with an eye for easy handling of all parts. A good example of this principle is the side-door that allows operators to self-service the print head, e.g. the exchange of a defect UV-lamp for a new one. Finally, the printer has been designed to be as environmental friendly as possible. Features that show care for the environment include: ÃÃ Power requirements © IT-Enquirer Reports – Erik Vlietinck 2010-2011 - All Rights Reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this publication in any form without prior written permission is forbidden. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. E. Vlietinck disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. Although E. Vlietinck’s research may discuss legal issues related to the information technology business, he does not provide legal advice or services and his research should not be construed or used as such. E. Vlietinck shall have no liability for errors, omissions or inadequacies in the information contained herein or for interpretations thereof. The opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. For information contact: info@it-enquirer.com.
Page 1 and 2: Product Report VUTEk GS3200 Super-w
Page 3 and 4: Contents Executive Summary iii INTR
Page 5: VUTEk GS3200 Introduction
Page 9 and 10: 4 Most super wide format printers w
Page 11 and 12: 6 can from the operator panel be sw
Page 13 and 14: 8 the need for mounting and laminat
Page 15 and 16: 10 at different times while printin

VUTEk GS3200 Super-wide Format Printer - IT Enquirer

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?