Xeikon has extended the capability of its Panther UV inkjet press technology with the introduction of PantherCure LED inks.

Xeikon’s Panther inkjet digital printing technology was launched in 2017, using UV to address specific end-use markets, focused on labels across industries such as chemical, durable, cosmetic and premium beer labels. Such applications benefit from certain durability characteristics – scratch, scuff and rub – and the glossy tactile look and feel inherent when running UV inks.

By adding UV LED curable inks, Xeikon has endeavoured to further the application range of its Panther technology. Specifically, PantherCure LED inks, which come with new waveforms, software and optimised screening, afford:

  • A wider application range, as LED curing sees less heat exposed to the substrate so more heat-sensitive substrates can be used with a water-based cool-down process;
  • A broader colour gamut to address more brand colours;
  • Increased image quality by introducing a new screening, waveform and ink;
  • Improved ink-to-substrate adhesion;
  • Reduced ink consumption by 30% on average, depending on the content of the job;
  • More sustainable production by eliminating the use of mercury bulbs;
  • Improved overall equipment efficiency (OEE), with LED having an extended lifetime and downtime related to starts-and-stops decreased; and
  • An improved TCO, as LED curing requires less energy.

Filip Weymans, vice president of marketing at Xeikon, said, ‘Today we already supply UV LED inks to the Xeikon Jetrion base, therefore adding UV LED inks was the next logical step for our Panther technology. Just last year we introduced a new generation of presses, the successors of the Xeikon PX2000 and Xeikon PX3000, affirming our commitment to the label market and UV inkjet label business.

‘Xeikon is renowned for having a determined sustainability program and the PantherCure UV LED series contributes to those goals.’

The new inks are available on newly manufactured Xeikon PX3300 and Xeikon PX2200 presses as of October 2022. Starting in 2023, current customers of prior models of the Panther portfolio – Xeikon PX3000 and PX2000 – will be eligible for field upgrades.

Mr Weymans continued, ‘The past couple of years have demonstrated that innovative companies with future-proof products are those that provide the best options to the customer for application choice and the highest OEE to safeguard their business goals. Field upgradeability of existing equipment with new innovations will protect customers’ investments. This is a perfect example of how Xeikon is market-agile and customer-focused.’