Full details have now emerged of the AEG wide-format UV-curable printers, which made their international debut at Sign and Digital UK this week.
Manufactured in the EU and distributed in the UK by specialist wide-format reseller Atlantic Tech Services, the new Voyager Pro UV-curable printer includes a metallic ink channel among its configuration options.
Incorporating Xaar’s latest printhead technology, the 2.05m Voyager Pro 2050 is the first in a series of AEG combination flatbed and roll-fed wide-format printers. Complemented by the 3.2m Voyager Pro 3200, two entry-level Voyager models are also on offer, with 1.65m and 2.2m hybrid options.
The recently announced Xaar 1002 printhead is designed and configured for specialist and industrial applications. It has been chosen for the AEG Voyager Pro wide-format printers based on its drop placement accuracy and ability to generate uniform drop volumes, even with the most demanding of fluids, such as metallic ink formulations.
A base CMYK inkset can be enhanced with a light cyan and light magenta, with the option of channels for white and metallic, plus the addition of clear varnish if required. Additionally, orange and green or violet and red can be integrated. All revisions to enhance original ink-sets or increase the number of installed ink channels are designed to be fully field-upgradeable in-situ.
The addition of metallic, as well as white, special shades and a clear option is regarded as being particularly beneficial to print companies and display producers who want to add special effects and spot areas to an application.
The AEG Voyager Pro model demonstrated at Sign and Digital UK has a maximum print width of 2.05m, and can work with flexible materials and rigid sheets up to 5.08cm thick at speeds of up to 70m2/hr and output resolutions of up to 720 x 2880dpi.
The printer incorporates Xaar 1002 printheads which feature Xaar’s TF Technology combined with the Hybrid Side-Shooter ink recirculation system, to ensure optimum production uptime. The variable droplet size of 0 to 18 picolitres has four levels of greyscale to suit all types of application, accommodating very fine gradients and crisp solid colours.
“We are delighted that AEG, a brand known globally for the quality of its engineering, is the first company to choose the all new Xaar 1002 printhead to ensure that its debut wide-format printer delivers the highest level of reliability and flexibility,” said Mark Alexander, director of marketing, Xaar.
“Compared with existing wide-format UV-curable printers available, the AEG series of machines offers a new level of versatility with the ink choices that are available. The price point of this new series will appeal to all sizes of print business, from those who are just starting out in wide-format printing, to those who want an additional machine for specific applications that incorporate special and metallic colours,” said Keith Pratt, director of ATS.
As UK sole distributor for the new series AEG wide-format printers, ATS will provide nationwide support and service for printers and related equipment. The company will also be supplying AEG media and mild solvent-based aftermarket inks.
