Electronics For Imaging (EFI) has launched a new version of its award-winning single-pass digital inkjet corrugated printer. The new EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus builds on the performance features of the Nozomi C18000 with improvements to ensure even greater productivity, quality and versatility for post-print corrugated packaging and display operations.
The new Plus model – which also includes important variable-data, ink savings and cloud-management capabilities for the printer’s EFI Fiery digital front end (DFE) – is available now. Current users of EFI Nozomi printers can also purchase the Plus model as a field upgrade.
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Consistent throughput, higher speeds and enhanced print quality
“The new transport of the ‘Plus’ version is a game-changer!” said one Nozomi user, Howard Bertram, president of Complete Design & Packaging, Concord, North Carolina. “It has provided consistent throughput at higher speeds and with fewer interruptions, and with enhanced print quality. It is now definitely the machine we knew we were purchasing.”
Key enhancements for the 71-inch wide, direct-to-board LED UV inkjet printer includes new advanced transport feed and patented vacuum table systems that eliminate warping while maximizing printer productivity and uptime. The Nozomi C18000 Plus also features an improved post-print quality inspection system to help users monitor quality and quickly identify inkjet nozzle issues or other defects.
Operating at speeds up to 246 linear feet (75 linear meters) per minute – producing up to 10,000 35 x 35-inch (890 x 890-mm) boards per hour two-up – the printer also features new coater options, including a quick-change anilox coater for improved performance. In addition to its standard CMYK inkset, the printer is available with optional orange, violet or white inks for an imaging gamut of up to 97% of Pantone colors.
Powerful digital front end for single-pass corrugated printing
The latest version of the EFI Fiery NZ-1000 DFE is used to control the printer. In addition to its speed improvement, the blade-server based DFE features Adobe PDF Print Engine 5 for quick, high-impact color rendering and smoother edges on graphics.
The Fiery NZ-1000 DFE also features Smart Ink Estimator, an advanced solution that analyzes image data for more precise control of ink costs. Fiery Edge, EFI’s next-generation profiling technology for Fiery Driven printers, is included as well. Fiery Edge provides ink-saving technology that combines GCR and black generation controls with proprietary technologies so users can further reduce ink costs with no visible loss to image quality.
There are several additional Fiery products included with the EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus, such as Fiery JobFlow Base, which automates repetitive job setups; Fiery Spot Pro, which helps ensure maximum accuracy of a brand and other spot colors; and Fiery FreeForm Create, a visual variable-data print creation application.
EFI IQ – data-driven decision making made easier
Nozomi digital corrugated production enters the cloud era with another new capability on the Plus model – integration with EFI IQ, a new suite of free and paid applications. The IQ applications give Nozomi C18000 Plus users the ability to better manage their operations by extracting value from operational data. This includes the EFI IQ Dashboard for a personalized view of the day’s digital printing activities; EFI Insight for deep historical data in an easy-to-use, interactive environment; and EFI Notify, which enables automatic distribution of reports and provides users important alerts for production-blocking events.
“Without exception, users worldwide consistently achieve double-digit increases in production year over year thanks to the Nozomi C18000’s ability to meet or exceed brands’ strict throughput and quality requirements,” said Evandro Matteucci, vice president and general manager, packaging and building materials, EFI. “The Plus printer, its superior Fiery DFE enhancements, and our new, comprehensive service, support and training offering extend the remarkable market advantages our customers have today. The corrugated packaging world has never been the same after the appearance of EFI Nozomi technology and we are excited to help our customers achieve even greater successes with the new EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus.”