Business - Events

Xeikon will be showcasing a host of market-leading digital solutions for the very first time at Heimtextil. On display will be the most productive top quality digital printing press on the market and an 'all-in-one' solution that produces a finished product. The company will also be demonstrating wall-covering production and featuring its latest developments in toner technology. Heimtextil is the largest international trade fair for home and contract textiles and the global benchmark for quality design textiles with innovative functionality. It takes place January 14 to 17 at the Frankfurt Messe. Xeikon will be located in Hall 4, stand F25.

Danny Mertens, Xeikon's director of segment marketing and business development document printing comments: "Heimtextil shows an increased focus on digital production methods and, as such, has become an important milestone for Xeikon to attend. It is the major venue for manufacturers, retailers and designers of wall-coverings so we are absolutely thrilled about our first-time attendance. Digital printing, in general, and our solutions, in particular, have opened up exciting new opportunities that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago. Today, we already have a large installed customer base that is active into digital wall-covering applications. Exhibiting at this important event perfectly complements our on-going strategy to reach a growing number of vertical markets, in addition to the traditional printing shows we regularly attend."

Xeikon Wall-Covering Suite: where illusion flirts with reality
Visitors at Heimtextil will be able to see wallpaper depicting images with a 3D illusion that can only be put to the test by touching the flat surface. The Xeikon Wall-Covering Suite is part of the recently FESPA-launched Xeikon Document Suite that allows cost-efficient production of high-quality wall decorations for commercial, retail and residential purposes. This short-run friendly 'all-in-one' solution responds to the increasing demand for more customized and personalized print jobs and enables the production of a small roll of finished wallpaper from a large roll of paper. It integrates four major components that customers can tailor to meet their own specific requirements. These four components include a Xeikon Digital Press printing on the widest media range available, with dedicated workflows and software, application-specific toners and process optimization tools plus pre- and post-press equipment.
At the show, the Wall-Covering Suite will produce wallpaper rolls using a Xeikon 3500 Digital Press equipped with a Jumbo unwinder, a Weko humidifier for non-woven substrates and a Web Varnishing unit. In the final production stage, the roll will be slit and cut into separate rolls with a unit from Tecnau. The rolls will be picked up and rewound by a Fotoba rewinder. Feel free to view the full configuration on display here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6HwlgjqI24 

The ability of the 3500 to print full-rotary and endless patterns without any breaks makes it ideal for producing any kind of wall-coverings, from short-run wallpapers of standard lengths to large murals. With an output speed of 600 m²/hr, the Xeikon 3500 press is the fastest digital printing press on the market. The Alpine fuser drum guarantees the "matte" finish required for wall-covering applications. Xeikon toners are odor-free and the print work comply with EN15102 standards, while the inline finishing systems available with the Wall-Covering Suite ensure accurate cutting in both process and cross directions and output a finished roll ready to be wrapped and sent out. An alternative to the Xeikon 3500 Press is the Xeikon 8000-Series duplex press which allows to print not only wall-coverings but also enables customers to print sheets that can then be combined as sample books.

At Heimtextil, the company will also showcase the SuperBlack toner, its latest development in toner technology. Normal black toner produces a density of 1.8 microns, while the new SuperBlack provides a density of 2.2-2.4. SuperBlack is a spot color that can be applied using the fifth color station of a Xeikon digital press.

"Xeikon is constantly looking at ways to expand the scope of digital printing. We are extremely happy to show the benefits and opportunities offered by the new SuperBlack toner to visitors at Heimtextil," concludes Mertens.

Overall winner– Alessia Francesca

The London School of Photography unveiled the winners of the 2014 LSP Awards Photography Competition on 2nd December. At a ceremony in the ME Hotel in Central London, Alessia Francesca Muoio was unveiled as the overall winner.

Part of the prize packages for all winners and runners up was LumeJet prints or a photobook of their work. Commenting on the inclusion and importance of high quality prints as part of the prize, Debbie Castro, Director of Training, London School of Photography & Professional Photographer said: "As photographers, the print is our ultimate test. With this in mind, I am extremely particular in the execution and final outcome. The paper used, the finishing, the faithful translation of details and depth, all vital ingredients, silently adding to the viewer's ability to transcend, to get absorbed, to experience our photographs fully, whatever the subject, whatever the message or emotion.

"LumeJet has exceeded my expectations, my vision of what was possible. I am truly amazed. The colours are so intense and vibrant, with an almost 3-D effect that inevitably grabs your attention, embracing your experience to new emotional heights.

"To date, LumeJet is the best print and photo quality that I have ever seen in the market. Competitively priced and most of all, effectively beautiful."

The competition was run in partnership with the National Theatre's hit production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon. Entrants were asked to submit photographs inspired by the theme "Curious London". The entries were divided into four categories: "Curious People", "Curious Pets", "Curious Places" and "Curious Underground". Photographers could enter up to 10 photographs into each category.

After seeing all the prize winners LumeJet CEO, Paul Anson said; "The standard of the entries was amazing, both in technical quality and artistic interpretation of a challenging topic. As a company we are delighted to contribute to the development of these hugely talented photographers."

While LumeJet technology is based on the silver halide process the company has developed much more in the traditional print sector. However, the ultra-high quality output of the LumeJet is increasingly being sought after by professional photographers who work at the top end of the market.

Award winning celebrity and fashion photographer, Ki Price, is convinced it is the way forward. "LumeJet quality printing is what the world of photography has been waiting for. This is the whole reason that camera manufacturers have been making such high end cameras such as the Canon 5DMk3 and Nikon D810. Only the LumeJet can produce the quality of print needed to properly showcase this new cutting edge camera technology. The bar has been raised by this new level of print quality and high end photographers like me are understandably excited at the possibilities for our work."

Maidenhead, UK-based print and graphics company Mustard Solutions Ltd works closely with Macmillan Cancer Support.  Macmillan’s latest event on the calendar was The Macmillan De’longhi Art Auction - an exhibition and silent auction of artworks by the UK’s emerging artists at the brand new Darren Baker Gallery in London - which culminated in a high profile, invite-only evening to close the sale of the pieces.

Mustard was drafted in to produce hard-hitting facts and figures to flank the artworks kindly donated by the UK’s top emerging and established artists. These graphics had to showcase the reality that Macmillan deals with everyday on their support line and on the front line too.

“We do what we can for Macmillan to assist their London events team in their special events programme which raises over £1m a year for the charity,” says Mustard director Hayley Hall.

“It’s a different kind of relationship, one between supplier and an organisation whose prerogative is to step up and be there for anyone affected by cancer. It’s difficult to justify high profit margins and strict lead times when the people you are dealing with are trying their hardest to help and support the two million people in the UK living with or beyond cancer to ensure no one faces cancer alone.” comments Andy Hall, co-director at Mustard.

Mustard specialises in graphic solutions for events that can add impact and make the most of a venue. “We worked with the Macmillan Events team to produce the most cost effective but dramatic affect in the Darren Baker gallery that would really speak out to people about how their art purchase would help Macmillan to continue their fantastic work” says Hayley.

The event was a huge success raising £103,000 from the sale of the artworks. In the silent auction hosted at the Darren Baker Gallery the highest bidder paid £9,000 for Jake and Dinos Chapman ‘Hell Souvenir’. Popular artist Polly Morgan donated a piece entitled ‘Receiver’ which depicted a telephone receiver containing baby chicks struggling to escape; perhaps an insightful comment on ‘tweeting’ via social media but also a nod to the fact that all the income from the event has been directly given to the Macmillan Support Line, which gave support to 1.9 million people last year.

By 2020, almost one in two of us will face cancer at some point. It is a scary fact, and one that is enough to encourage businesses to help where they can in order to support the cause. Working with charities offers an opportunity to add another dynamic to the usual business relationship, as well as warming Mustard’s metaphorical heart it provides the opportunity to help a good cause too and that we are proud to do. The question is, should all businesses be aiming to add a charity to their client list. Not as another logo for their testimonial webpage but as a way of assisting with a cause that needs every penny it can save. We don’t suggest giving away services but if we all helped just one charity where we can we may just help them make a difference.

To donate to Macmillan Cancer Support got to www.macmillan.org.uk

 

At EuroMold in Frankfurt, Roland DG dazzles with its first 3D printer and a brand new desktop milling machine. These monoFab machines were developed for the rapid and inexpensive production of prototypes. There are also demonstrations of all sorts of milling machines, engraving machines and colour printers on Roland's Stand E49 in Hall 11.

3D printing and milling

Roland DG's spearhead at EuroMold (25-28 November in Frankfurt) is the monoFab series. The monoFab is a series of 3D machines that utilise both subtractive and additive techniques. With the new SRM-20, objects are created by removing media (subtractive) and with the ARM-10 by adding media (additive). Thanks to the choice of these two working methods, Roland DG can always offer the best solution for the customer's application.

The ARM-10 is Roland's first-ever 3D printer. It is the ideal machine for making prototypes for the testing of a design or a complex shape. The printer is equipped with a UV-LED lamp projection system and uses a liquid resin (Roland imageCure) to build up the shapes layer by layer. The resin becomes semi-transparent as it cures, and post-processing (removal of support bridges and polishing) is very easy.

The SRM-20 is the newest milling machine from Roland DG. This machine was developed on the foundation of more than 25 years of experience in the production of 3D machines. The main strengths of the SRM-20 are its excellent precision and the smooth finish of the milled surfaces.

The SRM-20 mills all kinds of materials which are commonly used for prototyping and other techniques. Examples of compatible media are acrylic, ABS, wood and wax. It is the perfect machine for making extremely precise and perfectly finished functional prototypes of relatively simple shapes. The SRM-20 also stands out above the rest in stability and ease-of-use, which makes it the perfect investment for both professionals and hobbyists.

In addition to the monoFab series, Roland DG is demonstrating the MDX-540 and the MDX-40A. The MDX-540 quickly and accurately produces prototypes and industrial models. This milling machine has a work surface of 500 (X) x 400 (Y) x 155 mm (Z) and can be fitted with an automatic tool changer, a rotary axis and a T-slot table. The MDX-540A is ideal for the processing of plastics and light metals, such as aluminium and brass.

The MDX-40A is a compact milling machine with a work surface of 305 (X) x 305 (Y) x 105 mm (Z). The CNC machine can be used with all kinds of plastics, such as resin (modelling wax, polystyrene foam), chemical and natural woods, plaster and acrylic. The machine will be demonstrated with a fourth rotary axis. Thanks to this axis, the models are automatically rotated and processed from many angles.

Roland DG will also demonstrate a compact milling machine that was specially developed for dental laboratories. This DWX-4 mills crowns and bridges in zirconium, PMMA, wax and composite resins.

Engraving and inkjet printing

Engraving and inkjet printing also have a place on the Roland stand. The VersaUV LEF-20, among others, is on display. This machine is an LED-UV printer that prints directly onto objects up to 10 cm high. The machine prints directly onto prototypes, industrial parts and even on consumer electronics, to name just a few. Besides all that, the LEF-20 is equipped with a unique ink configuration, including white and transparent inks, which creates exceptionally beautiful effects.

To learn more, please visit Roland on Stand E49 in Hall 11 or go to the company website: www.rolanddg.co.uk

At LFR we've always been a fan of open days and regional events.  In an industry that often needs to demonstrate products and services to busy owner-operators that are strapped for time, the onus really is on the suppliers of those products to get up off their bums, and metaphorically take that mountain to Muhammad.

Newtech’s series of printing and graphic shows continues its success with the latest event at Ultima Display’s premises at Corby, Northants. Both visitors and exhibitors alike were delighted with the event which features new products for the wide format, DTG, Screen and Display markets.

Following the event, comments included:

‘Very rewarding. I’ve found new innovations that I didn’t know existed. Also other suppliers of my existing products which are more competitively priced. Much more manageable at this size of event.’
Terry Guyton (Norfolk China)

‘I enjoyed the way it’s set up. It’s friendly, you’re able to have 1-2-1s. Well organised with a good working environment where exhibitors are trying to help with solutions rather than trying to sell so that the visitor can learn more about the product and understand it.’
Rahet Shah (Slick Rhino)

‘A very good smaller show which offers excellent time with each exhibitor. The bigger shows are noisy and it is often difficult to hear what exhibitors are explaining if they have time to do so at all. This is far more intimate with not too many exhibitors. It is just right.’
Anne Warren (Bedford Borough Council)

‘This show is really very good. We go to all the shows, but this one is more in-depth. We have found new products and it is good to speak face to face with the exhibitors finding out what we need to know. We had half an hour with a technician finding out about software. There was also good food laid on. This show has definitely been of benefit.’
Alan & Karen Bowman (Yellowsub Ltd.)

Newtech rolls on to Botleigh Grange in Southampton on March 10th and 11th, 2015.  For further information or to register as a visitor, please visit www.co-opevents.com 

FESPA Eurasia 2014, taking place 4-7 December in Istanbul, will be 20% larger than the first event held last year, with last-minute confirmations still coming in.

The increased event size has been achieved through growing trust and recognition of the FESPA brand across Turkey and the region through a strong sales and marketing strategy, as well as the success of the 2013 event, during which many manufacturers signed up for FESPA Eurasia 2014 with larger stands.

FESPA Eurasia has also expanded in size with a number of first-time participants, including suppliers such as Eurotech, Canon, Kornit Digital and Yatay, as well as experiencing growth from international companies exhibiting who make up one fifth of the exhibition, like Agfa Graphics, HP and Roland.

The event's growth indicates the confidence providers are placing in FESPA Eurasia to deliver their company objectives, while also signifying that there will be a comprehensive display of equipment and product innovations for visitors to explore and build into their budget decisions for 2015.

The show will be a broad mix of technologies allowing visitors to discover new opportunities, including interior and decorative markets, 3D printing, and industrial print. Numerous leading global brands for the sector will be demonstrating a range of applications. The latest solutions for screen printing will be covered by SPS, MHM, and M&R, while digital textile printing will be well represented by producers like Reggiani, Roland, Kornit Digital, d.gen, and Mimaki, plus national distributors BTC, AIT, Future Reklam and OTS.

Michael Ryan, FESPA Group Exhibition Manager comments: "We have gained fantastic support from both the international community - which grows worldwide with FESPA exhibitions - as well as the leading players in Turkey. This is purely due to what FESPA and our partner ARED represent in the industry; as re-investors into the market, providing a quality event and the integrity in which we work with stakeholders." Ryan also emphasises the importance of the event for the industry and adds: "When you look at the line-up of exhibitors at FESPA Eurasia, you can see that it is going to be an incredible showcase of the latest technologies and solutions for regional print and signage service providers. So if your business is print or signage, FESPA Eurasia is undoubtedly a 'must attend' event for you."