Kyocera Nixka Inkjet Systems (KNIS) has been formed as a new entity to introduce to the market a ‘new generation’ of colour and monochrome inkjet print engines.

KNIS was formally created on 1 April, 2023 after Nixka – itself founded in late 2020 to develop, manufacture and sell inkjet print engines – became fully-owned by Kyocera Corporation as of that date.

The first product brought to market through the new entity is Genix 1200, a water-based inkjet print engine that can operate at up to 200m/min. Initially offered as a four-colour inkjet print engine, up to a further three colours can be specified depending on the customer, although Genix 1200 inkjet print engines can be upgraded in the field, as and when there is a need for more colours.

Genix 1200 features Kyocera’s KJ4B EX1200 piezo drop-on-demand printheads, with recirculation. Recirculating printheads and an integrated system to precisely monitor ink temperature and viscosity are used to ensure uptime and reliability. Depending on the application requirement, quality can be downgraded to increase the speed and optimise productivity. Running water-based inks makes Genix 1200 compatible with a large range of substrates, such as uncoated, recycled, offset coated paper, cartons, tissue and films.

Moreover, KNIS has sought to design Genix 1200 to make it ‘easy to integrate, easy to use and easy to maintain’. All critical parts and components are made accessible for simple and efficient service operations; the compact colour PrintBox is fixed to the transport system; and an automatic cleaning station for capping, purging and wiping minimises operator intervention.

Genix 1200 can be integrated into converting lines or retrofitted to existing hardware, ‘giving a second life to the existing and amortised systems, with a state-of-the-art inkjet solution upgrade,’ as noted by KNIS.

A first Genix 1200 has been installed at beta customer in Europe since November 2022, where it is operating in an industrial environment and inline with finishing equipment.

KNIS president Paul Morgavi commented, ‘Genix 1200 will help our customers to create value with fixed or variable data printing, short runs, personalisation or versioning, in commercial printing, packaging and labelling, photo industry, graphic arts, direct mailing, and many other industrial applications.’