The Pro series of belt-type direct-to-textile inkjet printers, Tiger-1800B, Leopard-1800B, and Fox-1800B, developed by Italy’s La Meccanica fills the gap between Mimaki’s medium-speed digital textile inkjet printer Tx500-1800B (maximum printing speed: 140 m2/h) and its high-speed digital textile inkjet printer MM700-1800B (maximum printing speed: 800 m2/h).
With a maximum printing speed of 390 m2/h, Tiger-1800B fits high-volume productions that were printed by analog printing methods. Leopard-1800B can be used in a wide range of applications from sample creation to small lot production. Fox-1800B, with four heads, is an even more compact and economical model than Leopard-1800B.
To meet a range of production needs, the print speed of each model can be varied by changing the number and configuration of printheads. In addition, two variable droplet print modes are provided: High-definition with three droplet sizes ranging from 4 to 12 pl, high-dense mode with four droplet sizes ranging from 4 to 18 pl. Print speed is different depending on the print mode.
Tiger-1800B features 16 printheads arranged in two staggered lines. It achieves maximum print speeds of up to 390 m2/h in high-speed and 220.5 m2/h in standard speed. Leopard-1800B features eight printheads arranged in an in-line configuration and achieves maximum print speeds of up to 244.5 m2/h in high-speed and 127.5 m2/h in standard speed. Fox-1800B features four printheads arranged in an in-line configuration and achieves maximum print speeds of up to 240 m2/h in high-speed and 130.5 m2/h in standard speed.
Textile transport security is achieved by the twin pressure roller shafts attached to the edge of the transportation belt. Textiles are uniformly applied without wrinkling onto the belt through the upper and lower rollers, assuring stable textile transportation. Furthermore, the wrinkle and jam sensors detect textile wrinkling or creasing early in order to minimize potential damage to the printheads from collisions with raised or jammed textiles. Air bubbles generated in the ink can lead to missing nozzles because such bubbles act as cushions that decrease ink ejection power. To assure stable ink-jetting, each model of the Pro series has a degassing module that removes bubbles and constantly circulates ink.
La Meccanica S.p.A, scheduled to become a subsidiary of the Mimaki group through full acquisition, is a leading manufacturer in the development, production, and sales of mostly high-speed, high-end textile inkjet printer models. The Pro series will expand Mimaki’s existing line of medium-speed, entry model textile inkjet printers. Utilizing the know-hows from La Meccanica as the foundation of its accelerated high-end model development, this addition will give the company a product line-up for the textile and apparel market by delivering large-scale production at manufacturing sites and small-scale production near consumption sites.
