Durst has added new features and hybrid options for its Tau RSC inkjet digital printing platform, increasing the capability for customers to respond to current and future demands.

These include optional flexo stations, ink save mode, updated software, and enhanced security features, improving the capability of Tau 330 RSC and Tau 330 RSC E presses to handle short and medium runs, and introducing hybrid and inline functionality to Tau RSCi presses.

Optional flexo stations – before and/or after the digital print unit –permit more challenging materials to be run by adding a primer or combination printing between flexo and UV Inkjet. Further, by printing white over with the post-press flexo station, more applications can be added to the press. Flexo stations are available fit to print widths of 330mm, 420mm or 510 mm of the Tau RSCi, and are equipped with a slide in/out carriage to aid loading and unloading of the ink pan, pick-up and anilox roller.

Ink save mode allows Tau RSC platform users to reduce ink costs by an average of 12% on a CMYK press, it is claimed, and enabling more jobs to be shifted to digital production. The operator can choose to print either in best match mode or in ink save mode. The Durst Workflow Label software utilises image analysis to assess the print job and replaces the original colour combination with an alternative one, with the goal of less ink consumption and minimal visual change in the label appearance.

The intelligent software now also includes a new automatic maintenance feature to avoid downtime and reduce service costs. Automatic cleaning of the printheads is carried out contact-free by the integrated maintenance unit, which also prevents possible damage. The process is intelligently controlled and smoothly integrated into the ongoing print operation. With this new function, availability increases, an overall better and stable print quality is achieved due to the overall better printhead condition, and less ink is wasted because almost no more purging cycles are needed.

Durst is also now equipping every new Tau RSC/RSCi press with additional IT security hardware, such as having the operator needing to actively turn a safety key to allow access from outside of the machine.

These developments were presented as part of the company’s ‘All you need is RSC’ update webinar last week, where a Tau 330 RSC and Tau 510 RSCi with integrated flexo stations were presented from the Durst Customer Experience Center in Brixen, Italy. These new developments are available as a retrofit option for existing Tau 330 RSC and RSC E customers, providing additional value to already-installed presses.

Helmuth Munter, label and flexible packaging segment manager at Durst, commented, ‘Today, we count over 250 Durst Tau installations, of which close to 130 are Tau RSC installations, with many clients owning multiple machines that print in an industrial environment 24/7 in three shifts per day. So, we can proudly say, ‘We at Durst have advanced the digital transformation with our Tau single-pass inkjet technology in the label and flexible package printing market.’

‘Single-pass inkjet has evolved to a mainstream label printing technology, with a market share of more than 25% globally,’ he continued.

The ‘All you need is RSC’ event was Mr Munter’s last official engagement as he hands over to Thomas Macina.

Mr Macina, Durst’s new global sales manager for labels and flexible packaging, said, ‘Many Durst customers have successfully walked this path with the Durst Label & Flexible Packaging team. Durst grew with them, and they grew with our solutions. Therefore, we will continue to have our eyes open and our ears very close to the market to be able to understand and support our customers future needs. Our product portfolio has all the key capabilities and is well positioned to cover the requirements of the different print runs. The RSC E and RSC for short and medium runs, and the RSCi for medium and long runs.

‘All our customers can count on Durst’s innovation and the continuous development of RSC technology as a platform for continued successful growth in the label and packaging printing industry.’