Ultrastream jetting module
Kodak showcased the latest advances in its Stream and Ultrastream inkjet technology at Hunkeler innovationdays in Switzerland last week.
The company also introduced the Kodak 800 Print Manager digital front end, which has been designed to drive its high-speed inkjet presses. The 800 Print Manager batches multiple jobs into a single run and can spool, process and print static or variable data print (VDP) jobs at press-rated speeds up to 300 m/min, combining software and hardware, caching of reusable elements, front-to-back balancing and on-the-fly page assembly. An object-oriented colour engine offers colour control options, ICC profile support, object-independent screening options and text enhancement.
Prototypes and various configurations of Kodak’s Ultrastream technology was on show at the event. Since its debut at drupa 2016, 17 OEMs, including Fuji Kikai, GOSS China, manroland, Matti, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Printing & Packaging Machinery (MHI-PPM) and Uteco, have signed Letters of Intent to explore the integration into their future printing equipment.
Norifumi Tasaka, general manager, development headquarters quality assurance department, MHI-PPM, said, ‘The integration of digital print technology into the MHI-PPM portfolio requires high quality, with compelling running costs and great productivity. After evaluating various print head technologies, we decided to move forward with a Letter of Intent to assess the next generation technology, Ultrastream, from Kodak. Based on the demonstrations at drupa 2016, we are confident that this technology provides a candidate in class solution for our portfolio, which will meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.’
Randy Vandagriff, vice president of kodak’s enterprise inkjet systems division, said, ‘Built on Kodak’s proven continuous inkjet Stream technology, Ultrastream technology will move production inkjet into the mainstream of commercial printing, packaging, labels and home décor. The development timeline remains on track with evaluation kits available later this year.’
