Printheads Create Possibilities For Indian Inkjets

In August 2002, Printek Engineering was founded in Mandsaur, India, with the aim of producing digital printing for the country's flourishing advertising industry.

In August 2002, Printek Engineering was founded in Mandsaur, India, with the aim of producing digital printing for the country's flourishing advertising industry.

In particular, Printek Engineering recognised the growing need for fast, robust products for outdoor advertising, such as billboards and signage.

To meet that need, Naim Khan, Printek's managing director and his development team set about developing a wide-format printing system that would offer speed and vivid colour, high quality print results and the versatility to use various substrates, all at an affordable price.

Having already tracked the rising profile of digital inkjet as a printing solution, Naim Khan identified Xaar as a leader in the field of piezoelectronic inkjet technology and in 2002, he approached the company for advice.

He commented: "We met with Xaar to discuss our vision for wide-format printing and conducted detailed discussions to ascertain the kind of printheads that would be suitable.

Having tested the XJ128 printhead, designed for the graphics and industrial markets, we quickly realised that this product was ideally suited to our application, meeting all our prerequisites." The result was the Printek KGN-4233, a roll or sheet-fed system using either eight or 12 XJ128 printheads to print at a width of 3.2 metres, on various substrates including PVC banner, flex, vinyl and coating film to name amongst other materials.

The printhead clearance is adjustable, ranging from 2mm to 4mm, depending on the choice of substrate.

It uses solvent inks, in conjunction with an automatic inks delivery system with an ink level monitor and an automatic anti-clogging system said Xaar.

The XJ128 printhead is an entry-level piezoelectronic inkjet drop-on-demand product.

It has been specifically engineered with a simple electronics interface, which allows quick and easy integration into OEM applications, though not at the expense of power and quality claimed Xaar.

The XJ128 is said to print up to 48 square metres pre hour in continuous print mode, at a resolution of up to 360 dots per inch (dpi).

Naim Khan said: "Just after a year from conception, at the beginning of 2004, the KGN-4233 was available to our customers, thanks to the ease of implementing the printheads, combined with the development and technical support provided by Xaar.

Already, we have sold and installed two KGN-4233s, one at Jaipur and one at Rajkot, we have three orders pending and we are currently negotiating two more.

The XJ128 printhead was key in enabling us to achieve a fast route-to-market with a superior, powerful and reliable printing solution.

As this product has been so well received, we are looking to develop more printing systems using other printheads in Xaar's range, such as the XJ500.

From our experience developing the KGN-4233, we are even considering extending our business to offer customised products, so confident are we in Xaar's product portfolio.

This year, our rate of growth has been 60 per cent and we expect this to increase further based on our success to date." Hugh Baker-Smith, Xaar's group sales director commented: "Printek Engineering's story represents the essence of the market for digital printing in graphic arts in India - the need for reliable, quality printing solutions which OEM's can bring to market quickly.

We very much look forward to continuing to work with Printek Engineering in the future.

Our recently opened office in New Delhi is a sign of the importance that we are placing on the Indian market, and is paramount in fostering the working relationships with local manufacturers and partners that we have always based our business on.

Our aim is to bring to India all the benefits of our large international manufacturing, service and R and D network, providing OEMs with tried-and tested products and expertise that they need.".

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