
Printers wishing to broaden their use of PVC and vinyl media are often afraid of drying times, deformation of media and cracking of inks. Mimaki has the solution. The UJV-160 using breakthrough UV LED curing technology eliminates all problems associated with printing on PVC and vinyl so broadening the print service provider's portfolio.
Drying time has a direct effect on the productivity of an inkjet printer. UV curing enables instantaneous drying. Thus, no post printing drying time is necessary. Aqueous or solvent inks require post printing drying. This is eliminated using UV technology and, consequently, the media is ready for laminating immediately after printing. Job turnaround time from printing to processing is shortened so dramatically improving work efficiency and productivity.
Vulnerability to heat is one of the problems associated with printing on PVC. With the UJV-160 printers will not have to worry. Apart from PVC, the UJV-160 can also print on a multitude of other heat sensitive materials as well as most other materials normally used in UV inkjet printing. Mimaki's first roll-to-roll inkjet printer using UV LED technology does not emit infrared rays which are the cause for thermal deformation of PVC. Effectively and efficiently only the relevant UV-rays are emitted. This new UV LED curing technology enables problem free printing on PVC and other heat sensitive materials.
Conventional UV curing ink has drawbacks such as cracking when forming printed media to curved surfaces. Mimaki's new flexible UV LED curable ink employs a formula which enables expansion up to 200 %. Thus, no cracking during post processing will occur. The cured ink membrane does not crack, even when the surface is bent or curved. This enables printing on thin PVC to be used for vehicle wrapping, shutters and many more similar applications.
Mimaki's flexible UV curing ink does not contain any VOC (volatile organic compounds) that emit organic solvents into the air. This eliminates the need for ventilation equipment and creates an environmentally friendly workplace.
UV LED lamps have a longer lifetime in comparison to conventional metal halide lamps. Their energy consumption is about half or less of conventional UV curing lamps. Additionally, UV LED curing technology does not emit short wave length ultraviolet rays that generate ozone, so the environmental footprint is further reduced.

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