New features demonstrated on the HP PageWide Web Press T240 HD on show include higher productivity, new qualified substrates and media weight. In addition, further PrintOS functionality as well as a new dedicated media selection website for increased compatibility are on show at Hunkeler Innovationdays. By Sabine Slaughter
The HP PageWide Web Press T240 HD, designed for high-volume digital print production of books, direct mail and commercial print products has, over the past years since the base model’s introduction at drupa 2008, constantly been improved and upgraded in order to reflect the state-of-the-art technology contained therein and help print service providers to expand their offerings.
Located at HP’s booth (P4), the press, employing thermal inkjet technology, can be seen in action. A variety of high-quality coated print samples produced on a range of paper stocks are available for inspection. Designed for high volume performance, the digital web press produces best-in-class duty cycles of up to 62 million letter-size color pages per month, deploying award-winning High Definition Nozzle Architecture (HDNA) technology with native print resolution of up to 2400 nozzles per inch (npi).
HP Smart Mode Suite increases productivity
The new HP Smart Mode Suite, launched here at the show, enables enhanced inline productivity and versatility for short-runs. The set of modes, also available for the other machines on the PageWide HD Series of presses, allows customers to reduce paper waste and increase productivity. Users can use the Multi-Roll Print Mode for continuous printing during roll changes. This enables a productivity increase of up to 15 percent as well as reduction of job turnaround times without losing critical VDP records. Job changeover times can be shortened from 80 to 68 minutes when employing speeds of 500 feet per minute, 90 grams per square meter paper and a 50 inch roll. The Variable Speed Mode on the HP PageWide Web Press T240 HD allows for automatic or manual speed adjustments, useful during finishing slow-downs or operator quality checks. The Pause & Resume Mode enables users to clear finishing jams and resume printing with no additional paper waste or job losses.
New primer for more versatility
The new inline priming solution, the HP D2200 Duplex Primer, has been developed in order to facilitate high-quality printing on an even wider range of substrates and higher weights. The new generation media primer enables usage of the broadest range of offset coated media without specialty inks. Inline priming speeds of up to 152 meters per minute (500 feet per minute) can thus be achieved. Print providers can enjoy lower media costs and print with expanded color gamut as well as higher optical density. In addition media weights up to 250 grams per square meter are supported which in turn now enables new applications such as cards, tickets, differenciating direct mailings and marketing collaterals.
High-volume check printing
Another exhibit is MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) for HDNA to support transactional applications including high-volume check printing. Speeds up to 152 meters per minute can be achieved in HDNA Performance Mode with robust optical and magnetic readability. HP’s industry-proven MICR is highly durable against scuffing in inserting lines. MICR for HDNA is available on new presses as field-upgradable on first-generation MICR-enbled PageWide Web Presses.
New features for HP PrintOS
A new cloud application that drives business intelligence for PrintOS-connected HP digital presses, the HP PrintOS Insight, delivers updated analytics, reports and dashboards for production managers to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
An integration with Müller Martini’s Connex workflow management system is provided by HP PrintOS Site Flow. It creates a seamless flow from online ordering and tracking through printing, finishing and shipping. Short book runs are batched for efficient production, as Connex oversees the finishing process with either Müller Martini or Hunkeler finishing lines. Finishing choices available to users of highly automated print-to-order book workflow ecosystems are thus expanded and allow for controlled, reliable and cost-effective production.
HP Service Edge for smart printing
HP is also introducing a new service concept for its customers, HP Service Edge. The smart printing experience enabled by Service Edge is powered by new tools designed to drive industry 4.0 and data driven business. The portfolio includes smart tools such as Real-time Remote Support leveraging PrintOS data algorithms, machine data and latest state-of-the-art remote troubleshooting tools. This enables users to drive efficiency, flexibility and profitability to grow and thrive.
New media directory
The new HP ColorPRO media website allows print service providers to search, discover, and identify compatible substrates for HP’s PageWide Web Presses. It showcases the ever-expanding range of offset coated, uncoated, gloss, matte, silk and ColorPRO media suitable.
Continuous improvements
“HP is continually upgrading our PageWide Web Presses, inks, workflows and media capabilities to accelerate the digital growth of our commercial Print Service Provider customers,” says Eric Wiesner, general manage HP PageWide Industrial Division, HP Inc. “Customers investing in these new upgrades enjoy category-leading print quality, productivity, versatility and economics that are valued by discerning publishers and brands.”
The upgrades introduced at Hunkeler Innovation Days are also available for the HP PageWide Web Press T 300 and T400S HD, and intended to help accelerate the transition of commercial print jobs from analog to more efficient and sustainable inkjet technology, will be available for customer purchase over the coming weeks with the rollout to be completed by mid-2019.
