Combination creates a world leader in 3D printing and direct digital manufacturing.
StratasysUS based Stratasys, Inc. and Israel based Object ltd have announced the completion of a merger between the two companies. The new entity creates a major force in 3D printing and direct digital manufacturing and will be now known as Stratasys Ltd under the symbol SSYS.
Stratasys now boasts an impressive portfolio of 3D printing and direct digital manufacturing solutions. The company will offer three leading technologies: FDM® for functional prototypes and production parts; inkjet-based PolyJet® for prototyping parts which require high feature details and fine surface finishes; and Solidscape® Drop-on-Demand ("DoD") thermoplastic ink-jetting technology for complex wax patterns for investment casting of finished parts. Stratasys now has more than 260 channel partners around the world and the new company believes it can leverage this extensive geographic reach of its marketing and sales organization to serve customers and grow awareness of 3D printing for rapid prototyping and production. Stratasys will also focus heavily on R&D to develop new consumables and systems.
David Reis, chief executive officer of Stratasys, stated, "We are excited to move forward as one company and deliver the benefits this combination creates for our shareholders, our customers and our employees. Stratasys is now uniquely positioned to offer a comprehensive portfolio of innovative products and technologies and we have the scale, team and financial strength to achieve our goals. I look forward to working closely with the board of directors, our senior management team and all of our employees to ensure a seamless transition as we continue to deliver advanced solutions to our customers worldwide."
Scott Crump, full-time executive chairman of Stratasys echoed these sentiments.
"We are pleased to announce the successful completion of this merger," he said. "With our breadth of products, commitment to innovation, and outstanding, service-focused team, we will be well positioned to address customer needs across the entire 3D design and manufacturing spectrum. The combined company has a deep well of talent and a strong board and management team to lead us successfully as we continue to pave a new way forward for the 3D printing industry."
Stratasys will maintain dual headquarters, both in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and in Rehovot, Israel.
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Introduction of New White and Metallic Silver Inks
improves productivity.
Eco-Sol Max2 ink Roland DG Corporation has announced that it will start shipping the newly-developed Eco-Sol Max2 white and metallic silver inks for use in the SolJet Pro4 XR-640 eco-solvent printer/cutter. The new inks have been developed for a wide range of applications, including window graphics, vehicles graphics, large posters, decals and labels.
“The XR-640 is an eco-solvent inkjet printer that was announced in September of this year as our flagship model,” said Yohei Shinomura, Roland DG product manager. “This printer which will now start shipping with the new white and metallic silver inks has achieved excellent productivity; almost double that of its predecessor's in the same class. In fact, the standard mode of the XR-640 can match the image quality and density of its predecessor's high quality mode. As a result, you can now print high quality large-scale items in a much shorter time frame.”
Roland maintains that the newly developed white ink has drastically improved density, which is particularly useful for the production of items using transparent film. It cited for example that when producing decals to be applied to vehicles or bicycles, colours can be finished exactly as desired. This is achieved by first printing a base layer with white ink that has excellent concealment properties, and then carrying out full-colour printing. Also, the pigment of metallic silver inks is more reflective for higher brightness. This is designed to produce applications that have greater impact and higher added value than before.
In addition, the XR-640 has a refined automated ink circulation system, which prevents the pigment in white and metallic silver ink from settling. Roland added that as well as maintaining a stable output quality, waste of white and metallic silver inks required for maintenance has been cut by around 50 per cent in comparison with its predecessor’s model, contributing to a significant reduction in running costs.
About the SOLJET PRO4 XR-640
The 64” wide XR-640, combines accelerated print speeds with Roland's integrated print/cut technology, a new print head design, and new Eco-Sol Max2 inks in nine colours: cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK), plus light cyan (Lc), light magenta (Lm), white (Wh), metallic silver (Mt) and new light black (Lk). The XR-640 is designed for volume production as well as allowing for the creation of high-end effects and finishes.
Create graphics which stand out using new white and metallic Eco-Sol Max2 ink | Roland SolJet Pro4 XR-640
For more information visit www.rolanddg.co.uk/Max2
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Global Print MIS Leadership Strengthened.
Paul Cooper EFI ™ has announced that it has acquired Technique, a provider of MIS/ERP (management information systems and enterprise resource planning) software products for the printing and packaging industries.
"We are excited to have Technique join the EFI family and our expanding portfolio of business automation technologies," said Marc Olin, general manager of EFI's Productivity Software business unit. "Many customers have benefited from the key technology advantages of the Technique solution, and we intend to continue to develop and support the product for many years into the future. We will also provide Technique customers an integrated workflow with our industry leading Fiery® digital front ends and Inkjet portfolio which includes VUTEk®, Jetrion®, and wide format devices."
Technique's CEO, Paul Cooper also commented;
"Technique is thrilled about the opportunity to join EFI, which is becoming the clear leader and even larger provider in productivity software for printing companies worldwide. The world of print is changing quickly and being part of the EFI family gives our customers instant access to wider solutions from their portfolio, together with the opportunity for more local support."
EFI provides a wide-ranging set of MIS/ERP solutions and will look to incorporate portions of Technique's capabilities with EFI's Monarch™, Pace™ and Radius Solutions. The aim is to allow customers to achieve improved performance and profitability.
"EFI remains committed to the business and to the long-term global market opportunity with this investment," said Sean Whelan, EFI's director Productivity Software European operations. "Through our existing global operations, we are able to strengthen and expand the support network for the Technique customers now and for many years into the future."
Technique consists of privately held Technique Business Systems Limited, a UK company located in Leeds, UK, and Technique, Inc., a Delaware corporation. More information about the company, its products and clients can be found at: www.technique-mis.com
The Technique management team and employees will join EFI as part of the Productivity Software Business Unit, ensuring the continuity of products and services delivery for Technique customers, while at the same time bringing significant domain expertise to EFI. EFI will also be highlighting Technique and its full portfolio at its annual user conference, EFI Connect, which takes place from the 15th-18th January 2013 at Wynn Las Vegas. More information about Connect can be found at information is at www.efi.com/connect.
"Connect offers our entire customer base an opportunity to meet the extended EFI team, join the user community and explore possibilities with EFI," added Olin. "There is a hands-on solution centre, a variety of class room sessions and some great general sessions. We'll also discuss the long-term plans regarding EFI Technique suite. "
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Audit process to be managed by
independent research and consulting firm.
Canon Europe has extended its pan-European Partner Programme by launching a new Managed Print Services Accreditation scheme.
It’s based on Canon’s Partner Programme which was launched in early 2011.The company announced that the new MPS Accreditation scheme will be rolled out across Europe during Q4 2012. One of the key elements of the scheme is to help identify and develop Canon’s leading partners with the aim of demonstrating the high standards those partners are achieving in Managed Print service delivery, technology and customer care. Canon said accreditation will be assessed through a rigorous audit process which will be managed independently by imaging research and consulting firm Photizo. Accreditation status lasts for 12 months.
Canon’s Partner Programme has been designed to provide training and support to ensure Partners can attain the skills required to attain accreditation. This includes the development of a joint business plan with Canon to agree shared targets for the year, access to Canon’s PartnerNet communications portal for marketing and sales support, as well as eligibility for the Canon Premier Partner Club. This rewards top performing partners with exclusive access to Canon Europe’s management team.
Canon stated that it is already working with many of its partners across Europe, with five partners currently preparing for their first audit as part of the new Accreditation Standards. The defined criteria cover three key areas and are based on Canon’s experience delivering MPS across Europe:
• Service delivery & people –
• Infrastructure & technology –
• Business model & customer experience
Marc Bory, Director, MPS & Solutions Sales, Canon Europe, commented: “The new MPS Accreditation scheme provides our partners with the opportunity to gain a competitive edge based on a significant and credible independent audit process. The strength of Canon’s product portfolio, service delivery and independent recognition of our status as a Global Leader in MPS also provides assurance that our partners can deliver best in class managed services in what continues to be a challenging economic climate. The new scheme illustrates Canon’s on-going commitment and support to its partners via its Partner Programme.”
Ed Crowley, CEO and Founder of Photizo Group, added: “Since its foundation, Photizo has been dedicated to providing high-level, un-biased assessments for the managed print services industry and developing a roadmap to success for our partners. We are excited to be chosen by Canon to provide the independent assessment of partner capability as part of the Canon Partner Accreditation programme.”
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Designed for Semi-porous Substrates
in Industrial Applications.
The new HP Black 2570 Print CartridgeHP has introduced a new print cartridge for printing on semi porous and some non-porous substrates. It stated that the new ink is fast drying and is aimed at products such as identification coding and marking, mail addressing and variable data imprinting.
The new HP Black 2570 Print Cartridge with HP solvent ink is sold to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for use in their industrial printing platforms.
HP highlighted some of the benefits of the new product which include:
• Ability to address applications requiring printing on semi porous and some non- porous substrates,
• Increased productivity with fast dry times and a long decap that reduces maintenance between jobs,
• More prints compared to aqueous-based print cartridges due to smaller drop volume.
One feature of the new cartridge which HP said is important is that it can be left uncapped for extended periods of time without requiring maintenance enabling intermittent industrial printing, immediate start-up and limited printhead servicing between print jobs. It also pointed to the quick dry time which will minimizes the need for dryer assistance, lowering overhead costs.
With a smaller drop volume, less ink is needed to print with high optical density for text printing such as lot codes as well as two-dimensional barcodes on food and pharmaceutical packaging.
“The HP 2570 cartridge enables manufacturers to print small text and 2D barcodes on some non-porous substrates,” said Kathy Tobin, vice president and general manager, Specialty Printing Systems, HP. “OEMs can now print on a broader range of substrates, allowing them to expand into new application areas and grow their business.”
Portfolio of Inks
HP also announced the availability of the HP Black 2531 Dye Print Cartridge which it claims is a low maintenance solution that provides a long decap time for intermittent printing of product identification coding and marking. The HP Black 2531 Dye Print Cartridge prints with a resolution of up to 600 dpi on uncoated, porous substrates used in pharmaceutical and food packaging applications.
Additional information about the new HP Black 2570 Print Cartridge, HP Black 2531 Dye Print Cartridge and other HP specialty printing supplies is available at www.hp.com/go/oeminkjet
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New Website, Kits and Consulting Service now available
Xerox has announced that its ProfitAccelerator® Digital Business Resources is now making it easier for production customers to access information and files to jumpstart new, profitable business growth.
The ProfitAccelerator Hub (PA Hub) features resources organised by company roles, the aim of which is to make it simple to locate relevant tools, templates and guides. It includes Webinars and white papers with additional content to be added over time. The PA Hub is only for Xerox production customers and is free to all who register.
Xerox has also introduced four new kits and a social media consulting service:
Clearly More Personal Kit: A turn-key programme with marketing collateral and tools to generate demand for clear dry ink, available on Xerox’s Colour 800/1000 Presses. It includes information on how to market, teach and showcase clear dry inks’ benefits and the value of personalisation. The kit has samples and source files for post cards, posters and brochures on different substrates.
Ultimate Media Starter Kit (for Light Production): This includes a variety of creative templates, along with a starter pack (20 sheets) of five different media samples such as FunFlip Greeting Cards, Polyester Clear Labels and NeverTear Fun Pack. A prospecting guide and printed samples are also included.
Picture the Possibilities Photo Kit: Designed to allow printers a quick way to start or grow a photo business. Included is a sample binder which features standard and custom media printed pieces to share with customers and a disk containing the application files. The kit has industry reports and webinars to better understand the photo market opportunity.
Design Advantage Guide Print Kit: There are source files so printers can reproduce this popular guide to understand digital design concepts, as well as hints and tips for their customers.
Social Media Quickstart Programme: This is primarily a consulting service to help printers understand how to use social media effectively and put them on the fast track to establishing a presence on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. The programme includes one hour of start-up consulting and a “Frequently Asked Questions” webinar.
The new offerings are available immediately.
For more information about what Xerox has to offer visit http://www.xerox.com, http://news.xerox.com
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Xerox Colour 1000 digital production press
chosen to allow for expansion into new markets
L to R Jonny Sewell GPS Norman McNellis Xerox and Ian McCurry GPSGPS Colour Graphics has moved into digital printing, investing £240,000 in a Xerox Colour 1000 Digital Production Press with EFI workflow software and Plockmatic inline booklet maker. The press is designed to meet the growing demand for complex, short run print jobs, and was chosen by GPS in order to produce high quality booklets, one-to-one documents and other print jobs on a wide variety of paper stocks. This follows a substantial financial investment by the company of £2.2 million to expand its lithographic offering last year.
GPS is a large commercial printer, based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Its decision to move into digital print was taken in order to diversify its business model and enter the colour print-on-demand market. The aim is to become a one-stop shop for all its customers' printing requirements.
"This is our first significant move into digital printing and after assessing a range of options we concluded that Xerox provided the best-fit technology to suit our customers’ needs, “said Ian McCurry, Managing Director of GPS. “We are now in a position to add to the high quality services we offer and provide additional value to our customers, as well as competing for a much wider range of business.
Although we are Northern Ireland’s second biggest commercial printing company, until recently we have exclusively had a litho print offering. However, with the needs of customers changing all the time, now felt like the right moment to invest in this technology. The Colour 1000 press not only allows us to take on more work, but to also produce high quality ISO Colour 12647 proofs, which is vital for the continued success of our expanding litho business. We are excited that we are the only commercial printing company in Northern Ireland to be in a position to offer such a complete litho and digital service.”
The investment comes as GPS celebrates its 100th anniversary as an incorporated company. To mark the occasion, it has also unveiled a new corporate identity and website as well as launching its own web-to-print service called PrintStore.
Apart from using the Xerox Colour 1000 press to consolidate its existing customer base GPS is expanding into new markets. The company now produces variable data and short run print jobs, work that was previously turned away or outsourced. It has also already carved out a niche in large multipage saddle stitched, wiro and perfect bound books for a range of customers that include financial services, pharmaceutical sectors, design agencies, and the public sector.
"This is a prime example of the way we can help our new customers grow their print volumes using digital print," said Norman McNellis, Business Manager, Graphic Arts, Xerox Ireland. "Many commercial printers are investing in digital print to take their businesses into new markets and the potential return on investment is enormous.”
“As we work with these businesses to develop and maximise the use of their digital equipment, we expect them to find that more of their customers will choose to work with them because of the high quality print that Xerox equipment delivers. In a relatively short space of time GPS has grown to become one of Xerox’s largest and busiest customers in the graphic communications sector in Northern Ireland.”
The Xerox Colour 1000 Presses print at 2400 x 2400 dpi and use Xerox's new low-melt Emulsion Aggregation (EA) Dry Ink, which delivers an offset-like finish. EA Dry ink also requires less energy to manufacture than conventional toners.
http://www.gpscolour.co.uk/Home
For more information, visit http://www.xerox.com/
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New grade extends its portfolio of high-white, smooth digital printing papers
Pulp and paper maker Mondi continues to grow its DNS® brand with the launch of DNS® color print, the company’s latest offering for the digital printing market. This new grade offers customers the high whiteness level (170 CIE) characteristic of DNS® premium and DNS® high-speed inkjet, launched in 2010 and 2011 respectively. However, DNS® color print has been produced with an extra smooth surface to add to the list of features and benefits comprising the full brand portfolio.
Mondi says that the smooth finish combined with the paper’s high opacity makes it suitable for high impact full colour reproduction for duplex printing. DNS® color print has been manufactured for digital colour printing on laser printers, copiers, and digital colour presses. The paper has been produced with ColorLok® Technology, which the company said is a class of paper additives that visibly enhance the print quality of inkjet documents while providing faster drying times.
Johannes Klumpp, Marketing and Sales Director for Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper said:
Mondi DNS color print A4“The research and development for DNS® color print took place at Mondi Neusielder mill in Austria, where the paper is produced. Mondi Neusiedler has been in the paper making business for more than 200 years and has led the way in developing papers for digital printing for more than 20 years. Its reputation for high quality and innovation is well-earned and recognised by professionals in the paper industry.”
It comes in a range of grammages from 80-300 g/m2 and is available in A4, A3 (LG/SG) and SRA3 formats. DNS® color print is also suitable for preprint applications such as letterhead and office stationery.
DNS® color print is part of Mondi’s Green Range of sustainably produced papers. It is FSC® certified and was awarded the EU Ecolabel as a product that is deemed to have a lesser impact on the environment than other similar products. All Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper mills are certified FSC®, PEFC™, ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management system).
More information on DSN® color print can be found at www.mondigroup.com/colorprint
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Models aimed at graphic arts markets - including photographic, fine arts, proofing, signage and production.
imagePROGRAF iPF8400Canon confirmed the launch of five new large format printers for the graphic arts markets covering 24" to 60", 8-colour and 12-colour devices. The company said that they have been equipped with a host of new features to deliver superior image quality, productivity and usability.
All the new models use LUCIA EX inks, which Canon claims makes it the first company to use a singular ink set across an entire large format range. The new printers also have what is known as, 'hot swap' technology. Using the one ink system has been chosen for optimum image quality and to ensure absolute consistency between devices. The 'hot swap' technology gives the ability to replace ink whilst printing, providing uninterrupted production and reduced down time.