Konica exhibits deep-shaded print on crepe silk

Among dye-based inkjet printers introduced at the 7th OTEMAS, there was Konica's Nassenger KS-1600 II. 8 colors, available in gradation from pale to deep shades, and special 'vivid' colors, both with disperse and reactive-dye-based inks, are ranged for selection in this printer.

Each of the 8 color-ink cartridges has been improved in capacity to 1 liter. As there is a separate cartridge for each color, it suffices to replace an empty cartridge with a new one.

Konica stresses, concerning the effluent pollution of the environment, that inks do not have hazardous properties.

Crepe silk, given an extremely deep shade printed through the new Nassenger KS-1600 II, was displayed at the 7th OTEMAS, highlighting its excellent effects on stretch and thin fabrics.

According to the company's explanation, its printing speed on the Standard Mode is 10.0-7.5 m²/h (6.7-5.0 m/h when printing 1.5 m-wide fabric). Although the speed varies with the type of ink used, it is significant that the printing speed has been improved.

Konica's new Nassenger KS-1600 II, which can print Spandex and thin fabrics

	See-through material printed with Konica's new inkjet printer
	Stretch fabric printed through Konica's new inkjet printer

The specifications of Nassenger KS-1600, computing & peripheral devices, inks, software and winder are shown below.

Data on Konica's new inkjet printer

PRINTER
Printing method	Inkjet
Print heads	8 heads, 8 colors
Resolution	300 x 300 dpi
Textile width	Max. 1,600 mm (actual printing width: 1,550 mm)
Printing speed	Standard Mode: 10.0-7.5 m²/h (6.7 -5.0 m/h, on 1.5 m-wide fabric) *variable with the type of ink used
Color reproduction	16.7 million colors, 256 gradations
Dimensions	Approx. 2,860 (W) x 728 (D) x 1,240 (H) mm
Weight	Approx. 280 kg
Power source	100 -240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 350 VA
Optional equipment	Winder

COMPUTING & PERIPHERAL DEVICES
CPU	Pentium III 600Hz x2 or above
OS	Windows NT4SP4
Memory	256 MB or above
Hard disk	9.1 GB or above
CD-ROM	40 x or above
MO disk	640 MB (3.5-inch, external drive)
Color display	17 inch

INKS
Format	Cartridge (sealed packages)
Package capacity	1,000 ml
Type	Disperse-dye-based inks (for polyester) -8 pale to deep color inks -8 special color inks Reactive-dye-based inks (for cotton and silk) -8 pale to deep color inks -8 special color inks *Acid-dye-based inks (for silk and wool) under development

SOFTWARE
Exclusive software	KONICA Layouter
Data format	BMP (RGB), TIFF (gray scale, RGB, YMCK, Lab), JPEG (RGB), PNB (RGB)
Image posting capacity	Max. 1.0 GB
Compatible network	Ethernet

TEXTILE WINDER KW-1600
Winding method	Simultaneous winding of paper and textile
Dimensions	2,250 (W) x 497.5 (D) x 753.7 (H) mm
Power source	DC 24V /5v (provided from the main unit of Nassenger)
Weight	Approx. 70 kg

At ITMA '99 held in Paris, the attention of the world's printers was drawn to Stork's knowledge alliance formed with the manufacturers of related systems. Similar moves have also been seen at the 7th OTEMAS.

Konica has allied with the Electronics Division of Kurabo Industries, for its Nassenger KS-1600 II to be linked with Kurabo's Color/Texture Simulation System.

Another example of knowledge alliances set up by Konica, as has already been reported in Senshoku Keizai Shimbun, is with Shima Seiki, whose Single-Ply Computerized Fabric Cutting Machine is to work in conjunction with Konica's inkjet printer, provided through the OEM method.

By this alliance, a pattern, created through CAD, can be inkjet-printed directly on the surface of fabric for the rational cutting of its exact shape at an ultra-high speed through the compact, single-ply automatic cutter.

This method was introduced by Lectra Systemes, France, at an apparel machinery exhibition held in 2000 in Cologne, through its knowledge alliance formed within Europe.

Much attention will be drawn to future developments made by Japanese companies in their efforts to compete.

Shima Seiki's Single-Ply Computerized Fabric Cutting Machine. Konica cooperated by providing an inkjet printer through the OEM method.

Toshin Kogyo introduces 2 kinds of inkjets, dye and pigment-based, at a demonstration

Inkjet printers for textiles, which had been introduced in this county, used mainly dye-based inks.

Toshin Kogyo has recently introduced a pigment-based inkjet printer, aiming at quicker switching of print designs and easier fixation of colors on blended fabrics. The printing speed has been enhanced to 25-30 m² per hour. Its rubbing fastness has yet to be greatly improved, however, Toshin Kogyo's success in introducing a high-speed printer using pigment-based inks would be worthy of worldwide attention.

As pigment-based inkjet printers require no pre-processing, rinsing or drying, unlike dye-based ones, various binders can be used to render elaborate hand to fabric. This is an indication of their possibilities of advancing into fields such as domestic curtains, bedding and advertising banners.

The special features in the mechanisms of Toshin Kogyo's Image Proofer exhibited in 2 types at the 7th OTEMAS are as follows. Image Proofer IPX is on the piezo method (1 axis, 6 heads, resolution: 360 dpi) with a maximum productivity of 20 m² per hour. Image Proffer IP is on the thermal-jet method (3 axis, 12 heads, resolution: 300 dpi) with a maximum productivity of 20 m² per hour.

Image Proofer with its double features is now to be promoted in the international market, and as for dye-based inkjet printing, the company has indicated its stance for intensifying the development of pre-processing technologies, taking full advantage of its long-accumulated knowledge of printing.

Kurabo's inkjet aims at quicker color communication

The System Sales Section of the Kurabo Electronics Division also had an inkjet printer for textiles exhibited at the 7th OTEMAS. The company's intention was clearly displayed, focused on more economical types and quicker color communication of print designs. This inkjet printer was being introduced as part of a total system, as shown in the chart below.

Actual production-size sample (Click the images for an enlarged view.)

Mimaki Engineering, TKB Gotenyama Building, 5-9-41, Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, exhibited Textile Jet Tx2-1600, a high speed inkjet giving 28.4 m²/h, Textile Jet Tx-1600S, a model widely employed in Europe being economical as well as giving high-definition, and a transfer printing machine (sublimation) at the 7th OTEMAS. The company received an order for its transfer printing machine during the exhibition, and also has sales negotiations for the high-speed Textile Jet Tx2-1600 currently in progress.

The number of visitors to the company's booth at the 7th OTEMAS came to 350 from 250 companies. They displayed a high degree of interest in the newly developed high-speed inkjet printer, according to Mimaki.

The transfer printing machine was presented at a demonstration, aiming at developing sales negotiations with the machine at hand, and the company has received at an order immediately.

	Mimaki's booth, attracting a crowd of visitors at 7th OTEMAS
	Mimaki's transfer printing machine, already getting orders
	Disperse-dye-based inks also lined up