Brief update on Memjet-technology wide-format printer news

Three fairly recent Press Releases about Memjet-enabled wide-format printers (these press releases were found on Memjet’s web-site):

On June 12^th, 2014 – PR issued by RTI to announce that Alpha Imaging will become a reseller of the RTI Vortex 4200.

On May 9^th, 2014 – PR issued by Memjet indicating that three of Memjet’s wide-format partners would be exhibiting at FESPA Digital in Munich.

On April 2, 2014 – PR issued by RTI to announce that #1 Network will become a reseller of the RTI Vortex 4200

Which led me elsewhere, and here’s what I found:

Alpha Imaging’s web-site makes no mention yet of the RTI Vortex 4200.  (I visited Alpha Imaging’s web-site today. 

http://www.alphaimaging.com/wide-format/equipment/printers/

#1 Network’s web-site makes no mention yet of the RTI Vortex 4200.  (I visited #1 Network’s web-site today.)

http://www.number1network.com/digitalimaging.html

I also found it interesting that there was a “new name” on the list of Memjet wide-format partners, Gongzheng Group Co., Ltd, a company based in China.  I did visit this company’s web-site, but did not find a wide-format printer that’s based on Memjet print technology.  I guess their printer must still be under development. (?)

I also found it interesting that Xerox was not mentioned as one of the Memjet wide-format partners expected to exhibit at FESPA Digital.  Could be several reasons for that.  Could be that Xerox decided that FESPA Digital was a show not important enough to exhibit the IJP 2000 at, or maybe Xerox decided that the expense of exhibiting the IJP 2000 at that show wasn’t worth the return.  Or, maybe something else is going on? (Update on June 30th - Memjet proactively confirmed today that Xerox is still a Memjet wide-format partner.)

Here are the three Press Releases I mentioned above:

ALPHA IMAGING TO ENHANCE DIGITAL PRINT PRODUCTIVITY WITH DISTRIBUTION OF RTI DIGITAL’S VORTEX® 4200

Ontario Canada –June 12, 2014 – RTI Digital, Ltd., part of the Reprographic Technology group of companies and a leading industry supplier to the digital production print, wide format print and label print markets, announced a reseller agreement with Alpha Imaging. As part of the new partnership, Alpha Imaging will sell and provide integration support of the RTI Vortex 4200, a wide format printer, to its reseller network in the northeast region of the United States. 

The 42 inch wide full color printer is based on the Memjet’s unique Waterfall Print Technology®, which provides revolutionary high print speed and superior quality. Compared to traditional wide format printers, the Vortex 4200 delivers incredibly fast job turnaround times and an attractive total cost of ownership.   The Vortex prints at up to 12 inches (30 cm) per second (IPS) allowing Print Shops and in-plant customers to output up to over 9000 sq/ft (836 sqm) per hour of full color graphic arts for signage, POP, GIS and other wide format technical applications.     

RTI and Alpha Imaging will launch the partnership at the Alpha Imaging Alpha Days on June 18-19 in Lowell, Massachusetts. During the two-day showcase, RTI will demo the Vortex 4200 to an audience of 250 people. For more information related to Alpha Imaging or the Alpha Days event contact Ahouse@AlphaImaging.com.   

“Alpha Imaging is an exceptional full solution wide format provider, with over 20 years experience that has cemented its reputation as a known industry leader,” said Kevin Howes, director of wide format solutions at RTI Digital. “We’re thrilled to announce that Alpha Imaging is on board with selling and supporting the RTI Vortex 4200.”

“The Vortex 4200 is an exceptional short run, wide format solution that opens the door to greater productivity and profitability for commercial print shops,” said Dave Ahouse, vice president of northeast division at Alpha Imaging. “We’re excited to bring that value to our reseller network through our partnership with RTI Digital.” 

For more information about the Vortex 4200 please visit www.rti-digital.com.  

CANON EUROPE, RTI AND GONGZHENG TO SHOWCASE PRINTING SOLUTIONS POWERED BY MEMJET AT FESPA DIGITAL

MUNICH, GERMANY--(Marketwired - May 9, 2014) - FESPA Digital 2014 -- Memjet, the global leader in digital color printing technologies, today announced it will join OEM partners Canon, RTI Digital, LTD., and Gongzheng Technology at FESPA Digital 2014 on May 20, 2014 in Munich. At the event, Memjet's partners will demonstrate the digital capabilities of the Océ ColorWave 900, the Vortex 4200 series, and the Superprint PRO-A1060C printers, respectively.

Canon Europe will showcase the Océ ColorWave 900 at stand B1-310 throughout the event. Powered by Memjet technology, the Océ ColorWave 900 delivers a print resolution of 1600 dpi and is capable of printing at speeds of 1,100 square meters per hour. The Océ ColorWave 900 maintains productivity regardless of image content, ink coverage or media type, and is ideal for printing point-of-sale posters, exhibition and trade show displays, CAD and GIS.

RTI Digital will showcase the power and versatility of the Vortex 4200, powered by five Memjet print heads boasting 352,000 nozzles for drop on-demand thermal inkjet printing. Demonstrations will include a variety of applications to help expand opportunities in digital graphics and commercial printing, including high quality graphic arts signage and architectural drawings. RTI Digital will also demo the Vortex 850R with a built-in PC and full width camera, and the Vortex 851R, an entry-level label printer.

"As the demand for full colour graphics, and short runs, printed at faster speeds increases, more companies are looking to digital printing technologies to replace or augment traditional technologies such as litho, flexo or screen," says Peter Barton, director of EMEA business at RTI Digital. "We are the only company producing the full range of solutions using the Memjet technology across wide and narrow format. Our team will provide FESPA visitors with a look at what our Vortex range can offer to heighten productivity and quality in all these areas."

RTI Digital will also host a Reseller event to introduce its new Vortex Club, and a new version of its Liberty Printer Control Software, on May 21 at from 5:00 - 6:00pm CET. Taking place at booth B2-170, the event is open to members of the press.

Memjet partner Gongzheng will offer event attendees demonstrations in booth A1-345 of its PRO-A1060C printer in action, both for graphic arts and commercial images. The graphics will include POP signage, pull-up banners, blue prints, construction and related technical drawings, all printed with Memjet's waterfall printhead technology with speeds up to 18.3 meters per minute and resolution of 1600 x 800 dpi.

"Advanced digital printing technology offers unique opportunities for companies seeking high-quality, full-colour, commercially printed materials," said Mr. Chi, chairman of Gongzheng. "As we look to expand our reseller network across the globe, we're excited to show how the speed, clarity and flexibility of Memjet technology can build more revenue opportunities for businesses."

FESPA Digital 2014 begins May 20 in Munich. The four-day event will bring together business owners, printers and PSPs, as well as brands, agencies and advertisers to learn how digital technology can assist in expanding business opportunities and drive revenue growth.

For more information on Memjet and its partners, please visit http://www.memjet.com.

RTI DIGITAL AND #1 NETWORK PARTNER TO INTRODUCE VORTEX® 4200 THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA

Ontario Canada – April 2, 2014 – RTI Digital, Ltd., part of the Reprographic Technology group of companies and, a leading industry supplier to the digital production print, wide format print and label print markets, announced a reseller agreement with Effingham, IL-based #1 Network. As part of the new partnership, #1 Network will provide sales, marketing and integration support of the RTI Vortex 4200, a wide format printer, to its reseller network of over 60 North American locations starting April 21.

The 42 inch wide full color printer is based on the Memjet's unique Waterfall Print Technology®, which provides revolutionary high print speed and superior quality. Compared to traditional wide format printers, the Vortex 4200 delivers incredibly fast job turnaround times and an attractive total cost of ownership.   The Vortex prints at up to 12 inches (30 cm) per second (IPS) allowing Print Shops and in-plant customers to output up to over 9000 sq/ft (836 sqm) per hour of full color graphic arts for signage, POP, GIS and other wide format technical applications.

RTI will be kicking off the Vortex launch at the #1 Network Dealer Meeting on April 7-8 in St Louis, MO.  This is to be followed up with detailed Vortex 4200 sales and technical training for #1 Network dealers.

"The Vortex 4200 creates an all new product class that bridges the gap between wide format and offset printing. This printer is the only true short run, wide format solution. Both digital and traditional shops can extend their productivity and profitability with the Vortex 4200," said Kevin Glosser, Director of Sales for #1 Network. "We are extremely excited to offer this solution to our customers. Finally short run, versioned signage and display can be both profitable and efficient. Our tests have shown the Vortex to offer real world productivity that is 10 to 20 times faster than the typical wide format and flat bed devices employed today."  

"We are extremely excited to have #1 Network come on board and support our domestic efforts in marketing the Vortex 4200. Through our partnership with #1 Network, we can offer a turnkey solution to #1 Network customers that includes media, finishing and integration support, said "Michael Midkiff, RTI's North American Business Director for print solutions. "This full solution will enable customers to realize new potential for managing larger short-turn print jobs that are ideally suited for the Vortex 4200".   

For more information about the Vortex 4200 please visit www.rti-digital.com.

I also found an interesting article about Memjet wide-format printers on FESPA.com

Will super fast Memjet printers carve out new markets?

By  Simon Eccles (found on fespa.com)

9th May 2014

The arrival of Memjet single pass inkjet printheads in the wide format market place has certainly caused a stir. With a heady combination of high speed output and high resolution what new opportunities does this create for wide format printers?

The past couple of years has seen the announcement of four brands of wide format printer all based on different implementations of the 42 inch (1,067 mm) Memjet single pass inkjet printhead array.

Offered by Canon/Océ (as ColorWave 900), ITL Digital (Vortex 4200), Xanté (Excelagraphix 4200P) and Fuji-Xerox (as the Xerox IJP 2000), these are the Formula 1 of wide format, offering a unique combination of very high speed at very high resolution, at prices ranging from about €80,000 to €150,000.

Very thorough article, read the full article at this link:

http://www.fespa.com/news/features/will-super-fast-memjet-printers-carve-out-new-markets.html