Narrow Web Technology, New Ink Debut for INX at Labelexpo

This year’s motto for Labelexpo Americas 2010 references “Technology to the rescue!”, which should resonate with visitors who visit the INX International Ink Co. booth (6451). The company will be offering choices for short run printing and UV inks with a narrow web technology demonstration serving as the headliner at the show, which runs from Sept. 14-16 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL near Chicago.

The NW100 narrow web printer offers high-speed, high quality narrow web inkjet printing and is unique in many ways according to Jim Lambert, vice president digital division of INX International. Ideal for short-run narrow web labels, Mr. Lambert says it has the ability to deliver brilliant, full-color UV LED-cure single-pass output at throughput speeds up to 80 feet per minute. The NW100 can run material widths of 6.3 inches and has a maximum print imaging width of 5.5 inches.

“The NW100 offers different cure technologies with an LED package and ink set that is finely tuned so it cures instantly. We showed a prototype of the NW100 last year at Print ’09 and have improved on the technology. It’s digital and very fast with speeds up to 80 linear feet per minute, and we now have it exactly tuned for the wavelength of light omitted by the LED,” said Mr. Lambert, who indicated the printer will be available for delivery by the end of the year.

Designed by INX Digital systems integration specialists, the NW100 uses patented Xaar 1001 piezoelectric printhead technology with Summit UV’s patented and unique Black Diamond 465-8W series LED lights. The highly focused and powerful Summit LED short-wavelength UV light technology helps produce vivid color and one-pass through-cure. The advanced piezo drop-on-demand, 8-level grayscale technology with patented Xaar Through-Flow Technology, offers exceptionally consistent, continuous tone output. Lambert said the specially designed INX Digital EVOLVE brand line of UV inks were custom made for the NW100.

INX will showcase a new high quality ink at the show. INXFlex ITX free process inks are a best-in-class UV flexographic product. It offers minimal plate swell in regards to all plate making technologies including digital and fast curing photopolymers.

Designed for most tag and label, pressure sensitive, and shrink and in-mold label applications, INXFlex ITX free process inks are environmentally friendly as they are V-pyrol-, benzophenone- and ITX-free. These inks also provide superior gloss and transparency, and offer good adhesion to a wide range of substrates including prime label, metalized polyesters and films such as PE, PP, OPP and Mylar.