Allen Datagraph Systems is to launch its iTech Centra HS Digital Label System at Labelexpo Americas in September. This is a complete digital solution built to manufacture label runs of 1000 to 3000 linear feet of substrate for label converters of all sizes.
The system combines the new iTech Centra HS Digital Label Printer with the iTech Centra HS Digital Label Finisher, introduced in 2011. It is a complete roll to roll solution that fits the needs between tabletop label production and full scale production.
‘The system offers label converters the ability to manufacture labels in a complete, all digital workflow. From roll substrate to fully finished labels, in any shape without dies, the Centra HS is unparrelled in its capabilities,’ commented Mark Vanover, vice president, Sales and Marketing.
The new component of the system, the iTech Centra HS Digital Label Printer, is an LED toner printer that images labels with brilliant, durable, consistent colour at 1200 x 600 dpi, at speeds up to 30 feet per minute (9.1 metres per minute). It has a maximum width of 12.9 inches (327 mm) and maximum roll diameter of 14 inches (355 mm).
‘While we have been very successful selling the tabletop iTech Axxis Digital Label System, we believe there is still a missing product opportunity between that and the high cost digital presses. All converters have a need for digital. The Centra HS makes economic sense, as it allows them to augment their current capabilities – as opposed to making a large capital investment on a digital press to replace their existing print technologies,’ explained Mr Vanover. ‘We have been very fortunate to partner with OKI, which offered us a print engine that has exceptional print quality and keeps up with the speed of our finishing system. It is a compact, affordable and easy to operate roll to roll printer.’
Included with the printer is a Wasatch SoftRIP, easy to use software that manages all print job parameters. A full suite of colour control capabilities – ICC colour management, tone curve reproduction and powerful spot colour replacement features – enhances the print quality of the printer. The RIP also includes a consumable cost estimator. A variable data option is available – enabling sequential numbering and barcodes along with graphic element capabilities.
The other component, the iTech Centra HS Digital Label Finisher, is a high speed roll to roll digital finishing system that allows users to laminate, die-less cut, strip the waste matrix and slit custom labels in one production pass. It can die cut any custom shape on-demand – without the inherent costs, delays and limitations of more conventional die cutting processes – right from Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw, using the same vector file that would normally be sent out for die manufacture.
The iTech Centra HS can convert printed materials from any digital or analogue print platform, including inkjet and thermal printers or a conventional flexo press in maximum roll diameter of 14 inches (355 mm) and up to 14 inches wide (355 mm).
Print to cut registration is accomplished via the SmartMark Optical Registration System. Multiple registration marks can be scanned to automatically adjust the cut file, compensating for any skew or scale issues that may have been caused by the output device or the material. The computer driven cutting technology is capable of cutting multiple depths within the same cut file allowing for perforations or multi-layer applications.
