Press Centre

For the first time at drupa 2004, Xaar plc is showing its new range of Xaar-branded peripherals for use in production machines – the Xaar print control system and Xaar ink supply system – which have been developed with Xaar’s industry integration partner TTP (The Technology Partnership), to enable, assist and support the production of high-specification inkjet printing machines.

Xaar’s print control system provides a key digital process that creates a link between an unprinted image and the printhead. Based on a PCI card format, the system drives a series of electronic boards using optical fibres to link the cards and drive the printheads, which creates an image.  The system is extremely flexible - between one and 48 printheads can be driven at any time – the process can be developed in stages, offering Xaar’s customers a modular build approach. The system supports Xaar’s XJ126, XJ500, Leopard, OmniDot and future printhead products.

Inks supply is often a challenge for machine manufacturers. The Ink Supply System provides the path between the central reservoir of ink and the printheads, ensuring reliable jetting. A small header tank sits next to the printheads allowing print control of the ink supply making the system suitable for a vast range of applications.

Xaar’s chief executive, Ian Dinwoodie says, “At drupa, Xaar is demonstrating how, like its technology, the company has evolved over the past few years. From pure research and development beginnings, we have now also proven ourselves as a leading inkjet manufacturer offering peripherals, printheads and inks and an integration service to our customers. Having combined our experience, knowledge and skill-set, today we are offering our customers a ‘one-stop shop’ which provides the solutions, service and support required to produce successful and competitive inkjet printers.”

In addition to the print control and inks supply systems, Xaar is showing its range of oil-based spot colour inks. Xaar has developed these inks to match its customer’s specific colour requirements, and demonstrating the inks on Xaar’s stand is the Kappa packaging printer, which incorporates Xaar XJ500 printheads. The Kappa machine has been designed predominantly for the packaging sector and prints variable information on both sides of a cardboard box simultaneously – printing one side in colour and the other in monochrome.

Xaar is also showing a six-colour, wide format printer manufactured by Chinese OEM, Shenzhen Runtianzhi, and Grapo’s UV flatbed Octopus printer, which has the ability to print onto a wide variety of surfaces, including PVC, wood, glass, metals and textiles etc. making it an ideal choice for the versatile printshop.

Xaar is also unveiling its new and dynamic printhead packaging – colourful boxes and individually branded sleeves have been designed for Xaar’s XJ126, XJ128, XJ500 and OmniDot printhead products.

For more information, please contact:

Alex Challinor, Xaar plc
T: +44 (0)1223 423663
achallinor@xaar.co.uk
www.xaar.co.uk

Laura French
T: +44 (0)1372 464470
lfrench@adcomms.co.uk