Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix and pioneer of the first digital color presses, is proud to announce the introduction of QA, its next generation Quadrupled Adapted toners. The toners come in two types: the Industrial version (QA-I), and the Productivity version (QA-P). Built on Xeikon's proven Form Adapted (FA) technology, the QA-toner raises the bar of digital color print toners to new heights. In 2006, Xeikon achieved a breakthrough in toner development when it pioneered the use of shape-modified polyester toner, which set the standard for image quality and eco-friendliness.
QA-I for Industrial printing
QA-I toner has been developed specifically for the packaging and labelling market, and boasts major advances in image quality, light fastness, food safety and ecological benefits. QA-I toner is a dedicated toner for Xeikon's 3000 family. This family of presses, of which the first member was introduced at drupa 2008, are aimed at the label and packaging market.
Almost 40% of the digitally printed labels are today used for food applications. Safety and food approval is therefore a very important requirement. Dry toner is the only digital print technology that can offer a food-approved ink system in comparison to UV-inkjet and liquid toner in terms of set-off, food contact with dry food and functional barriers like paper or PET-foil. To achieve this, R&D had to carefully select some new colour pigments. These new pigments also offer an additional increase in light fastness, achieving a level not seen before, which is another important demand from this market. This new toner, together with a new development technology, will become available for the installed base in the course of 2010
"This is a logical step, and stems from the segmented approach of our machines introduced at drupa 2008," says Lode Deprez, VP Consumables & Process Group at Punch Graphix International. "We've decided to offer dedicated toners - because each application has its unique requirements, we focus on developing the most appropriate toner for that specific application.
"The packaging and labelling market, for example, demands a larger colour gamut, better fast lightness and higher food safety than the document printing market. With the QA-toner, customers working in the packaging and labelling market get a toner that's tuned for their specific needs. The choice of the pigments and the way the toner has been designed also improves the lifetime of the fuser drums."
QA-P toner for document printing
In addition to the QA-I toner, Xeikon is also launching the QA-Productivity (QA-P) toner, which is ideal for the document printing and book printing markets. It offers benefits in the field of fusing, increased colour gamut and speed. These are important performances for these markets. Compared to the Product Adapted PA-toner, the resin and the carrier system have been changed and there is full implementation of the proven shape-modification technology, resulting in more print latitude and operator comfort.
Committed to the environment
Dry toner digital printing is well known for its eco-friendliness compared to traditional offset technologies eg no VOC emission, less energy and less waste. Xeikon is committed to a greener future, and ecology plays a key role in the design of the end-to-end printing process: from toner production and packaging, through to actual printing and paper recycling.
In line with this philosophy, the QA-toner features a new polyester resin system with EF catalyst, which includes no organic tin and also comes with an EF carrier system. And it is packaged in larger 1200g toner bottles, which results in nearly 50 % less waste customer side. The dry toner technology used in the QA-toner is 100% compatible with the increasing demand for global reductions of VOC emissions, and existing deinking and recycling installations, and will of course be produced using 100% green electricity.
The new toner will be available in Spotcolors (QA SPOT) for the 3000 and 8000 series engines.
The QA toners are expected to be commercially available from July 2010, and will be launched officially at IPEX 2010, which is being staged at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK, from 18-25 May 2010. You can experience the QA-toners at the Xeikon booth in Hall 11 # C230.
About Xeikon
A pioneer in digital printing, Xeikon designs, develops and delivers high-end digital color printing systems for the global commercial, document printing and industrial market segments. These systems are composed of advanced web-fed printing engines using LED-array-based, dry toner electrophotography, open workflow software, exclusive toner and other consumables. Xeikon's production and R&D operations are based in Belgium and its solutions are distributed and supported through a worldwide sales and service network. Xeikon is a division of Punch Graphix. For more information, visit http://www.xeikon.com/.
Abour FIG
FIG establishes itself as one of the biggest distributor and service providers of flexo presses and associated equipment to the market. FIG is the exclusive Sales & Service partner for Mark Andy, Comco, Brandtjen & Kluge, Stanford, Rotoflex, Xeikon, Valco Melton, Tools & Production & CTC International in the Indian Sub-Continent.
For any further information, please visit us at http://www.flexoimagegraphics.com/ or write us at sales@flexomail.com