Xeikon has announced version 2.0 of its Panther UV inkjet technology with the launch of two new label presses: the Xeikon PX3300 and Xeikon PX2200.

The new presses replace the existing Xeikon PX3000 and Xeikon PX2000 and feature advancement in two areas – applications and building blocks – to digitalise print manufacturing.

Xeikon vice-president of marketing Filip Weymans said, “We are defining a pathway to full digitisation of print production and manufacturing. Responsiveness has become key for any business and can only be achieved effectively by digitalising all print manufacturing processes, and not just printing.

“The foundation for a digitalised environment lies with collecting data in a digital manner. The data volume, captured in real time, creates the information that is required by label converters to make fact-based decisions. Another aspect is the interfacing connections in production between machines and operators, helping to transfer job information between the different production processes or drawing the attention of operators when it is really required.

“The cloud-connectivity, machine-machine and man-machine interfaces of our UV inkjet presses will enable label printers to take operational excellence to the highest levels. They offer great potential to maximise OEE, increase sustainability and make an operation robust for any future challenge.”

The new Panther 2.0 series also offers new opportunities for label printers to expand their applications portfolio. Xeikon’s new substrate handles technology featuring a new splice table, web detection capability and cooled roller at the curing section.

This makes it possible to print high-quality labels on a wider choice of substrates, including clear-on-clear facestock, which requires a high-quality opaque white to make the design stand out. Both presses can be configured with a fifth print station for white ink and can print on a wide range of self-adhesive media in addition to clear-on-clear, including coated paper, vinyl, PP, PE, PET, and metalised.

The Xeikon PX2200 and PX3300 presses leverage the advantages of dedicated PantherCure UV inks, which meet the demands for high-gloss, durable labels with high scuff resistance.

Driven by the Xeikon X-800 digital front end (DFE), the new Panther UV inkjet presses offer print quality in combination with productivity. The cloud connectivity is achieved through the X-800, providing access to both machine data and job data.

The latest generation of Xeikon’s X-800 enables unique applications on the Panther series, such as haptic printing. This tactile layer of white delivers the embellishing effect inline with full colour printing. Also for variabilisation, starting from black and white and going to colour numbering and to the most complex full colour variable data application through Xeikon’s new Vari-One option.

With the addition of two new presses, the Panther 2.0 series now comprises of seven different UV inkjet press. This includes the Xeikon PX30000, available with 6 (CMYKOV) or 8 (CMYKOV+WW) print stations. It will now be accompanied by the Xeikon PX2200, 220mm wide, available with four or five print stations, and the Xeikon PX3300, 330mm, available in four and five print stations or HC-high capacity.

“Xeikon’s UV inkjet presses can address any request from label converters. This can mean replacing an older UV flexo press to be more effective, being cost competitive within the high-end to medium-run label market, expanding the digital application space of existing liquid toner businesses, or providing entry-level investments that allow any printing company to embark into the digital label space,” Weymans said.