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Spandex’s Gerber Solara ionx is Positively-Charged

Previewed to the industry towards the end of 2007, we take a closer look at Spandex’s eagerly awaited Gerber Solara ionx as fully commercial units begin shipping.

When Spandex, the sign/digital printing hardware and consumables supplier, unveiled the Gerber Solara ionx in late 2007, the machine was welcomed with keen interest and intrigued enthusiasm. Beta testing of production units is now successfully complete and commercial deliveries of the Solara ionx are underway.

The innovative feature-rich attributes of this true flatbed/roll-to-roll, wide-format, cationic UV inkjet printing solution have made it a hot topic for some time – and with good reason. The Solara ionx delivers very high-quality output and impressive print speeds on rigid and flexible, outdoor-durable graphics that are immediately usable. The result is a blend of speed, quality, versatility and value that makes the printer one of the industry’s best all-round wide-format inkjet performers.

So what sets the Solara ionx apart? Perhaps the most important differentiator is its use of Cold Fire Cure™ technology; a unique UV curing process that provides revolutionary inkjet curing features by using low energy and low temperatures to cure the proprietary GerberCAT™ inks. This affords users a number of benefits over competitive curing processes in terms of material compatibility, cost of operation, and even environmental and health and safety issues.

The Solara ionx also uses an exclusive CMYK GerberCAT cationic UV ink set to expand the range of printable substrates. Heat sensitive plastic, vinyl, fabric and paper-based materials can be printed using Gerber's Cold Fire Cure and GerberCAT inks without concern over ink adhesion or material damage. Users also benefit from an expanded colour gamut on the Gerber Solara ionx, which produces intense reds, greens and blues for noticeably more vibrant full colour prints that are outdoor-durable for up to three years without lamination.

As one would expect, Spandex – supplier of the Solara ionx throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand – is naturally thrilled to be adding the printer to its vast solutions portfolio and is excited about what the new technology will offer their customers.

“Simply put, GerberCAT™ inks provide the colour and the Cold Fire Cure™ technology is what successfully adheres that colour to a range of materials way beyond that of conventional inkjet printers”, explains Jim Rich,  Director of Hardware Product Management at Spandex. “Together this system provides revolutionary features in inkjet curing that are far superior to any other process available.

“For users, this opens the door to a whole host of revenue-enhancing applications and market sectors that would have previously been beyond their reach”, continues Rich. “Not just that, but unlike solvent variants, the Solara ionx’s GerberCAT inks cure into a strong, highly scratch-resistant and flexible mechanical bond that is instantly usable. This enables users to enjoy incredible time saving benefits that allow them to increase their efficiency and service capability by meeting ever-shorter customer deadlines.”

This is particularly evident in automotive graphics projects where, not only is application achievable immediately after printing, but the ultra-flexible GerberCAT bond enables smooth application over rivets and tight curves in vehicle wraps.

As a result, the Solara ionx fulfils one of its primary objectives of offering a versatile solution that meets ever-demanding user requirements across an array of wide-format digital printing applications. Typical jobs include POS/POP signage, exhibition display graphics, window graphics, banners and mesh signs, vehicle graphics, backlits and a wide range of outdoor signage projects. Within these applications, users benefit from a virtually limitless number of compatible media that includes PVC, wood, plastic and glass, through to flexible substrates such as canvas, textiles, mesh and vinyl.

“Research undertaken prior to the launch of the Solara ionx proved that digital print shop owners and large-format users wanted an easy-to-use solution that would be capable of handling everything thrown at it”, continues Rich. “The Solara ionx not only meets this need for ease-of-use, versatility and reliability, but is also highly favourable from an environmental perspective.”

Achieving user requirements without compromising on this issue was paramount during the machine’s development. As a non-solvent inkjet solution, the Solara ionx does not produce hazardous toxic waste or VOCs so eliminates issues of adverse health effects for operators and the environment as a whole. Unlike the case with traditional mercury vapour solutions, the Solara ion’sx Cold Fire Cure™ technology does not generate environmental ozone.

The Solara ionx has also been designed for ease of use and dependability, This is due in no small measure to a highly intuitive user interface that requires only minimal training. This allows new operators to become quickly proficient and ensures that the printer is fully functioning and generating revenue immediately.

According to Jim Rich, regardless of the apparent in-built robustness and all-round performance offered by the Solara ionx, customers still need the assurance that the client-supplier relationship doesn’t end abruptly once a machine has been delivered. Indeed, as far as he is concerned, the performance attributes of the Solara ionx, together with Spandex’s established industry pedigree and reputation for quality customer service and support, make a perfect combination.

“Our 31,000 customers in more than 17 countries are served by several hundred customer staff and locally-based field support engineers”, says Rich. “Most importantly, customers selecting the Solara ion through Spandex are afforded exclusive access to the world-class Gerber Service organisation, which offers installation, training and support.”

As far as the industry is concerned, the Solara ionx certainly purports to offer a formidable package for both existing large-format printing houses, as well as digital printers seeking to add a large format capability. If it delivers all that it promises, then the Gerber Solara ionx will not only rival the performance of any other inkjet printer, but surpass it.