New features to bring more flexibility in Fujifilm Acuity Ultra platform

Fujifilm at FESPA Global Print Expo, 14-17 May 2019

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Fujifilm will display its recent developments in the form of Acuity Ultra, a superwide format printer targeted at the high-end indoor graphics and outdoor signage markets during FESPA Global Print Expo 2019, which takes place in Munich between 14 and 17 May 2019. Ever since the superwide fromat printer was launched by the company at FESPA 2018, it has been offering wide format print businesses photographic levels of quality at greater speeds and lower costwith better return on investment.

At their stand G15 in Hall A5, Fujifilm will unveil new features that add greater flexibility to the speed-quality performance that this machine can achieve. Until now, the Acuity Ultra has been available either with six channels configured as CMYK plus light inks, or eight channels as CMYK plus light inks and two white channels. The upgraded model, Acuity Ultra 5044, will feature a new, dual CMYK, eight channel configuration that offers the potential for greater output volumes and productivity, while maintaining outstanding levels of quality, owing to the machine’s 3.5 picoliter, 3-level grayscale printheads.

The machine is equipped with new 2-pass and 1-pass print modes, enabling print speeds up to 400 m2 per hour – 60% faster than the top-end speed previously possible. Flexible smoothing functionality allows users to opt for 100% smoothing to reduce banding and maximize quality, 0% smoothing to maximize top-end speed, or anything in between.

The added flexibility and easy functionality will help users have more control in order to ensure that they can adapt settings for every job and meet the varying needs of their customers. Also, newly improved scalable architecture and the modular build of the Acuity Ultra will aid customers to choose how to invest in a six channel model and upgrade in the field to an eight channel version later on, if required.

The new Acuity Ultra is available in 5 meter and 3.2 meter configurations. It uses an ultra-high quality, low film weight Uvijet GS ink that is GREENGUARD and AgBB approved. The ink has been specifically designed to deliver high quality designs and is fully emission-compliant for interior graphic display work.

Nils Gottfried, Wide Format Inkjet Systems product manager, says, “A growing number of Acuity Ultra installations across Europe, including in Italy, Spain, the UK and Russia, are proof that people have quickly identified the capabilities this machine provides.” He futher explains, “Four key elements in combination have already ensured that this machine offers a superior speed-quality-cost ratio over its competitors. These elements are: the high-end 3.5 picoliter, 3-level grayscale printheads that ensure outstanding quality; the linear motor that reduces vibrations to a minimum and ensures accurate ink drop placements; a media feeding system that operates with pinpoint accuracy, and a chilled vacuum table that allows conventional UV curing with no risk of substrate damage or shrinkage. The new features we are proud to reveal at FESPA 2019 enhance the reputation of this already highly-regarded machine and we look forward to welcoming prospective customers and journalists to our stand to take part in our exclusive product highlights tour during the show.”

The key features of Acuity Ultra include 6 and 8 channel options, including dual CMYK option (NEW), 3-pass print mode (236 m2 per hour), 2-pass print mode with outstanding quality (268 m2 per hour) (NEW), 1-pass print mode with output volumes up to 400 m2 per hour (NEW), GREENGUARD approved Uvijet GS inks, 3.5 picoliter, 3-level grayscale printheads, 0.1 to 2.0 mm media thickness, 3.2 and 5 meter options, linear drive system, chilled vacuum table, powerful and intuitive graphical user interface.

2023 promises an interesting ride for print in India

Indian Printer and Publisher founded in 1979 is the oldest B2B trade publication in the multi-platform and multi-channel IPPGroup. While the print and packaging industries have been resilient in the past 33 months since the pandemic lockdown of 25 March 2020, the commercial printing and newspaper industries have yet to recover their pre-Covid trajectory.

The fragmented commercial printing industry faces substantial challenges as does the newspaper industry. While digital short-run printing and the signage industry seem to be recovering a bit faster, ultimately their growth will also be moderated by the progress of the overall economy. On the other hand book printing exports are doing well but they too face several supply-chain and logistics challenges.

The price of publication papers including newsprint has been high in the past year while availability is diminished by several mills shutting down their publication paper and newsprint machines in the past four years. Indian paper mills are also exporting many types of paper and have raised prices for Indian printers. To some extent, this has helped in the recovery of the digital printing industry with its on-demand short-run and low-wastage paradigm.

Ultimately digital print and other digital channels will help print grow in a country where we are still far behind in our paper and print consumption and where digital is a leapfrog technology that will only increase the demand for print in the foreseeable future. For instance, there is no alternative to a rise in textbook consumption but this segment will only reach normality in the next financial year beginning on 1 April 2023.

Thus while the new normal is a moving target and many commercial printers look to diversification, we believe that our target audiences may shift and change. Like them, we will also have to adapt with agility to keep up with their business and technical information needs.

Our 2023 media kit is ready, and it is the right time to take stock and reconnect with your potential markets and customers. Print is the glue for the growth of liberal education, new industry, and an emerging economy. We seek your participation in what promises to be an interesting ride.

– Naresh Khanna

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