everything together – you’ve got a genuine end-to-end workflow from file to finished product,” says Clutton. “The software side of things has improved enormously, with RIP and nesting tools that talk directly to both the printer and the cutter, which takes a lot of the manual handling and guesswork out of production.” Reducing Intervention As Clutton pointed out, roll-to-roll technology has been quite consistent for the past few years, so with this being the case, a number of manufacturers have used this stability in order to broaden offerings and help printers and signmakers realise different revenue streams. Agfa, a developer of printing systems, inks, and software for the print and signage industries, has used the past few years to overhaul its range of presses and give customers a more diverse selection of printers. Last year the company revealed its hybrid press the Jeti Tauro H3300 XUHS, as well as the Onset Panthera FB3216 to the public for the first time at FESPA Global Print Expo, while this year it debuted the Jeti Bronco H3300 HS. Speaking of the company’s roll-to-roll offerings, Philip Van der Auwera, product manager for Sign & Display at Agfa, says: “Agfa offers several roll-to-roll machines that ensures print service providers can find the right press for their specific requirements. “In the three-meter space, the Anapurna RTR3200i and Oberton RTR3300 stand out as defining solutions for the sector. The former is a dedicated 3.2m UV LED roll-to-roll printer designed as a robust production workhorse. It is well suited to businesses producing indoor and outdoor applications such as banners, billboards, display graphics, and other work on flexible media. It offers strong image quality and dependable productivity for companies looking to strengthen or expand their rollto-roll capabilities.” When it comes to the Oberon RTR3300, Agfa’s 3.3m high-end roll-to-roll platforms for PSPs with higher productivity and premium output quality, Van der Auwera says the press is particularly attractive to businesses that a roll-to-roll solution than can handle a wide range of applications in a demanding production environment. “For printers seeking additional capacity, Agfa offers the 5.2-meter Jeti Condor RTR5200 HS,” notes Van der Auwera, who adds: “This machine can print up to three rolls at once at speeds up to 672m²/h and features clear fluid printing, high-opacity white ink, and in-line varnish. Quick and easy media loading, enhanced by multiple media handling solutions for large and heavy rolls, results in a truly versatile press that can tackle the biggest tasks with ease.” Speaking of new technologies in recent years, Van der Auwera has observed a growing focus on automation, efficiency, and ease of use, which has all had a big impact on day-to-day production. He also notes that better media handling, enhanced print stability, along with smarter workflow integration has meant vital improvements in the market, which are needed to keep roll-to-roll technology evolving. When it comes to how Agfa is responding to the needs of printers and sign-makers, Van der Auwera comments: “Agfa is focusing on the areas that matter most to its customers; namely, efficiency, versatility, and ease of use. The advancement of UV LED curing technology is central to this work as due its reduction in energy consumption while enabling compatibility with a wider range of media. In parallel, water-cooled print plates in the Oberon range ensure stable processing of heatsensitive materials, maintaining consistent quality without risking substrate distortion.” Van der Auwera says that operator efficiency is also being enhanced through features like dynamic vacuum systems, ionizer bars, and intuitive graphical user interfaces, which have all been designed to minimise manual intervention. Concluding his thoughts, Auwera says: “Roll-to-roll printing delivers the greatest value when it is part of a connected production workflow. Through integration with Agfa’s Asanti workflow software, ▼TheMimaki JV330-160 is a flagship solver printer for Mimaki andHybrid Services Some high-speed rollto-roll printers can print billboard-quality graphics at speeds exceeding 1,000sq ft per hour Factoid ▲The SinoColor UR3200 from CPS is a 3.2m UV roll-toroll printer ROLL-TO-ROLL PRINTERS | DAVID OSGAR 40 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 265 - June | July
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