In ITMA 2019, Zimmer (Austria) unveiled a digital printingmachine that prints exclusively with pigment ink. This step forward for theapplication of digital printing is a result of Zimmer's years of experience inthe field of digital printing, in tandem with Fuji StarFire printheadtechnology.

Existing customers are running this machine with pigmentink - as opposed to reactive ink - as pigment ink offers various advantages,such as:

High colour strength and brilliancy; 4 to 6 colours areenough to cover the full gamut of colours

•    Unsurpassedcolour fastness properties

•    Highdrop size and flowability

•    Suitablefor any textile substrate

•    Nowashing, only drying fixation required

•    Easyprint process as no pre-coating is required in many cases

•    Minimalpost print processing needed

•    Energyefficient and environment friendly

•    Simpleprocess; low investment compared to reactive printing process

•    Easyfor short run print jobs

Zimmer Colaris DX3 - standard features:

•    Inktank with 10 litre capacity

•    Inkand printhead heating and cooling for constant temperature

•    Automaticprinthead cleaning with water and vacuum

•    Printheadswith 12, 30 or 80 picolitre droplet size

•    Stickybelt (permanent glue application device) for textiles and nonwoven products

Zimmer's Colaris DX3 pigment digital printing machine hashigh-performance Fuji StarFire Dimatix printheads, which have a number ofsalient features:

•    RediJet:Continuous ink recirculation system that prevents nozzle blockage due to highdensity pigment inks

•    Repairable

•    VersaDroptechnology with binary and greyscale jetting modes

•    Coatedmetal nozzle plate to withstand abrasion and damage

Technical details

Colaris

12-2200

Colaris

48-2200

Colaris

48-2600

Colaris

48-3400

Colaris

96-2200

Colaris

96-2600

Colaris

96-3400

Maximum print width

2200 mm

2200 mm

2600 mm

3400 mm

2200 mm

2600 mm

3400 mm

Number of colours

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

Printhead/colour

Max. 2

Max. 8

Max. 8

Max. 8

Max. 16

Max. 16

Max. 16

Maximum speed square metres/hr at 400 x 800 dpi

120

470

510

580

890

970

1110

Dryer

3 pass

3 pass

3 pass

3 pass

2 x 3 pass

2 x 3 pass

2 x 3 pass

Typical applications for Zimmer Colaris DX3 digital pigment printing       

•     All types of home-textiles where best light fastness is needed, such as bed linen, upholstery, cushion, fashion, etc.

•     Work wear and uniforms

•     Custom-designed camouflage pattern on poly-cotton fabrics

•     Print on panels

In conventional printing, pigment printing holds a share of about 45%, or about 33 billion square metres of printed textiles. In digital printing, pigment printing had a share of a mere 1% of all printed textiles in 2017 - this underscores the vast potential for growth for digital pigment printing. With pigment ink development, latest printheads, and processes, Zimmer digital pigment printing is all set to lead the way in Europe as well as in India.