The new Screen NIR Dryer technology is built into the existing press frame and structure of the Truepress Jet 520HD inkjet web press, extends drying performance for both lightweight uncoated stocks and heavier weight, coated litho substrates. The result is an expanded range of applications and even higher productivity on difficult to dry substrates.
‘When we introduced the 520HD press a little over two years ago, the market was surprised by its offset-like image quality. It was the first time high-speed inkjet demonstrated the capability for effectively printing jobs that previously were the domain of the only toner or offset. With that benchmark reached, SCREEN recognised the 520HD’s potential would be realised with dedicated, ongoing product development,’ Ken Ingram, president of Screen Americas.
The NIR Dryer is part of SCREEN’s advanced 3-tiered drying system for the 520HD that optimises and balances the drying process through heat dissipation, hot air assist, and now, infrared. This integrated solution achieves a drying balance along the entire paper path tuned specifically to the characteristics of the paper, reducing or eliminating the cockling often associated with traditional inkjet ink drying methods.
‘Our experience with high-speed printing led us to engineer a design that incorporates IR drying immediately adjacent to existing drying technologies rather than extending drying to an exterior component after the paper has exited the press,’ said Hiromi Sakurai, Vice President for Business Development and Customer Solutions.
The design minimises the machine footprint and power requirements and results in improved image quality, improved finishing performance and significantly higher printing speeds, even on standard coated litho substrates. Operators create substrate profiles with embedded drying protocols at different print resolutions and ink limits. These profiles are managed seamlessly by SCREEN’s proprietary Equios front-end software, providing intelligent drying balance for each specific stock helping achieve the highest quality, best speeds and desired ink coverages.
‘We are excited to bring this advanced technology to the printing industry today. Available immediately, all new Screen Truepress Jet 520HD machines may be optionally equipped at the factory with the Near Infrared dryer. Plus, any Screen branded 520HD units currently in the field may be upgraded with the new dryer at the machine site. We also welcome existing customers and prospects to see the 520HD with the new NIR dryer in action at our Demonstration Centre in Rolling Meadows, near Chicago. The NIR dryer is available exclusively on Screen Truepress Jet 520 HD presses sold by Screen in North and South America,’ Ingram said.
