Kodak Announces a Raft of Products Across Digital and Offset Portfolio
Kodak introduced its range of digital and offset equipment and solutions during a webinar broadcasted from New York. The products that was originally planned to be displayed in drupa consist of new Kodak Prosper Ultra 520 Press,Uteco Saphire Evo W press, Kodak Sonora Xtra Process free plates, KODAK PRINERGY On Demand Workflow Platform and faster KODAK MAGNUS Q800 and Q4800 platesetters.
During the webinar Jim Continenza, Kodak’s Executive Chairman said: “Kodak is investing approximately $25 million a year in advancing print technology, doubling down on digital print and delivering the products our customers need to drive productivity and growth as the industry evolves. The revolutionary new PROSPER ULTRA 520 Inkjet Press is the product of our heritage of innovation in print and our continuing focus on developing breakthrough technologies. Printers can rely on the full range of KODAK Solutions, from offset plates to workflow software to digital presses, to deliver performance that pays.”
The KODAK PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press delivers offset-like quality at a consistent production speed of 150 mpm/500 FPM on glossy papers with high ink coverage and variable print. The new press is the first Kodak-manufactured press using Kodak’s ULTRASTREAM writing system, which employs high-precision placement of smaller, perfectly round, satellite-free drops.
According to Kodak the Sapphire EVO W is the first digital packaging press to match the productivity of flexo and the quality of gravure. It uses Kodak’s high-resolution ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technology and QD Packaging Inks. With run lengths of up to 20,000 m2, or more with variable content, the Sapphire EVO W is Kodak’s solution that allows brands to adopt innovative packaging that leverages the advantages of digital printing. The Sapphire EVO W Press is available worldwide.
Kodak also Introduced the KODAK SONORA XTRA Process Free Plates. Kodak claims The plates delivers stronger image contrast, improved handling robustness, and faster imaging speeds. The SONORA XTRA Process Free Plate is scheduled to be available at the end of 2020.
On the software front Kodak offers PRINERGY On Demand.A new global platform that hosts a suite of offerings that modernize and maximize a customer’s PRINERGY Workflow investment. PRINERGY On Demand is backed by the secure network infrastructure of Microsoft Azure, so customers can be confident that their data and system are always protected. PRINERGY On Demand is available now, with new options planned to be rolled out at the end of 2020.
Kodak still plans to keeps its grips on offset industry, so Cranking up the speed another notch, Kodak is introducing the world’s fastest 8-Page CTP for process free plates with the new KODAK MAGNUS Q800 Platesetter with T-Speed. The MAGNUS Q800 Platesetter will now be able to image up to 80 plates per hour. Faster imaging speeds need automation that can keep up, so Kodak is also introducing an updated Multi-Pallet Loader that matches the 80 pph speed and with a capacity of up to 3,200 plates. The T-Speed MAGNUS Q800 Platesetter will be available for beta testing this month and in production in September 2020. 1,500 plates per pallet capacity for Single Pallet Loader/Multi Pallet Loader will start shipping in June 2020.
Also available in 2021, the new MAGNUS Q4800 Platesetter will be delivered for extra-large format (XLF) plate making. Kodak says It will deliver the fastest throughput for XLF size plates for 96-page presses and provides throughput for 1,650 mm size plates, with dual plate loading. It will also have the most flexible pallet automation available with up to 8 plate sizes online and up to 4,800 plates online.
