ST. LOUIS, MO—Mark Andy announced a suite of enhancements to its Digital Series platform. The production-class digital solution has been reimagined to bring greater levels of productivity and profitability to the modern converter. Building off the platform’s successes, the latest true hybrid offering will take on the name Digital Series HD and combines flexibility of inline converting, high-resolution digital print, and best in class production capability, according to Mark Andy.
Digital Series HD can be configured with 5 through 8 digital colors and can support integrated inline or future-proof near line converting options. This added flexibility enables Mark Andy’s portfolio of digital hybrid solutions to reach a larger percentage of the addressable market in terms of budget as well as unique application or workflow needs, according to the company. The base roll-to-roll configuration is meant to be ideal for those just entering the production digital space. As their digital business expands, the modularity of the platform enables the shift to inline finishing to better utilize the high speed platform.
Expanded gamut now offered in a high-chroma inkset (CMYK + OVG) complements an existing richly pigmented white ink formulation, which delivers output comparable to rotary screen. Mark Andy product development reports the ink provides three times the opacity of flexo white and more than double that of conventional EP white, measured in excess of 80 percent. Digital white can be run without trade-off in speed at the platform’s standard of 240 fpm.
The most notable alteration to the Digital Series HD press comes in the form of the digital module, says Mark Andy. Once a flat table section, the new platform now showcases an arched IDS. The arch design accepts unsupported films and improves operator ergonomics, enabling quick and clean ink changeover. New print head technology housed in the module also matches the industry’s quality standard of 1200 dpi.
Digital Series HD also comes with further configurability in the way of three head cleaning options—manual, automatic and semi-automatic. This variety translates to less downtime, improved head health and reduced costs for converters. Additionally, the platform now offers a more advantaged VDP tool in response to market demand for sophisticated personalization.
Digital Series HD is supported by Mark Andy’s web-transport system, maintaining production class speeds of 240 fpm. In addition to digital and converting flexibility, the press retains its limitless configurability of inline flexo options. All accessories available on the former Digital Series or Performance Series platform are supported by Digital Series HD, now and into the future.
When speaking to the new product developments, Tom Schelmbauer, VP of engineering, Mark Andy provides, “The Digital Series platform was already incredibly successful, evidenced by our 2017 FTA Technical Innovation Award. Digital Series HD builds on these successes and delivers the highest quality, most productive hybrid solution on the market.” The product line extension also is meant to ensure every business has a digital growth path with Mark Andy. “Our users all have flexibility to upgrade their press as business continues to grow. We designed the press to be modular because we understand demands are constantly changing. Mark Andy is prepared to tackle market shifts with our customers.”