Xeikon Announces New Xeikon PX2000 UV Inkjet Digital Label Press

At Labelexpo Europe, Xeikon announced an expansion of its UV inkjet portfolio, as the Xeikon PX3000 will become available in both a 4-color and 5-color configuration. In addition, the new entry-level Xeikon PX2000 was introduced, also to be made available in both color configurations.
 
All presses within the Panther Series are powered by Xeikon’s Panther technology, use unique PantherCure UV inks and take advantage of the powerful Xeikon X-800 digital front-end.
 
“We are excited to be expanding our UV inkjet line of digital label presses so quickly,” said Filip Weymans, VP global marketing, Xeikon. “This rapid product development underscores our commitment to offering a broad portfolio of complementary solutions, for both our Cheetah Series of dry toner and Panther Series of UV inkjet digital label presses. Our offering also includes workflow and finishing as these are crucial in enabling a fully integrated and seamless production process in the spirit of Industry 4.0.”
 
The Panther Series will include the high-end Xeikon PX3000 with a web width of 330mm (13”) and the entry-level Xeikon PX2000 with a web width of 220mm (8.7”), both running at print speed of up to 50m/min (164.5ft/min). These Panther presses will be available in two color configurations, with the 4-color press field upgradable to a 5-color configuration to allow label converters to add white ink.
 
“The reason for building a 4-color press is that, aside from the lower investment cost, with inkjet technology, performance of the heads is affected by the usage. Low usage, which can be the case for white ink, can result in reducing the uptime of the press. As some label printers do not need white ink, we believe offering the Panther presses in a 4-colour configuration services exactly their needs,” Weymans said.
 
The Xeikon Panther Series presses run on patented PantherCure UV inks, which use a combination of LED and mercury UV lights for curing – a concept, unique to Xeikon UV inkjet presses, that offers several benefits, such as more consistent curing over time, lower energy consumption, a longer lifetime of the curing source and limited heat exposure to the substrate which makes it possible to print even on heat-sensitive substrates, the company reported.
 
PantherCure UV inks offer high lightfastness, and are resistant to heat chemicals, water, scuffing and scratching, making it ideal for use on pressure sensitive self-adhesive labels for the beverage, health and beauty, industrial chemical, household chemical and industrial markets. These inks deliver a tactile finish and 3D look and feel with uniform gloss appearance.
 
Xeikon Panther Series presses also feature full rotary printing with variable repeat and the ability to print on common self-adhesive substrates including coated paper, PP, PE, vinyl, BoPP and PET.
 
The Xeikon PX3000 5-color will be commercially available in March 2018, and first orders are already being taken from a few early-adopters.