ebeam Technologies, in collaboration with Uteco Converting and INX Digital International, has introduced a new industrial end-to-end inkjet production line, dubbed GAIA.
ebeam said that GAIA has the ability to facilitate safe mass-personalization of indirect food contact flexible packaging and labels.
A digital narrow-web solution, GAIA will be unveiled at this month’s Label Expo and will be available for sale through the Uteco Converting sales channel.
ebeam Technologies and its partners plan to showcase the commercial advantages of GAIA which will be targeted at print and converting professionals, and brand owners in the flexible packaging segment.
ebeam Technologies business development manager Elsa Callini said: “At ebeam, we believe true technological innovation can only be achieved through collaboration, and GAIA is the latest proof point of this.
“In helping bring this new digital narrow-web solution to market we believe the sky is the limit for package designers and brand owners when it comes to the exciting and differentiating world of personalization and variable printing.”
GAIA’s market opportunities around variable printing will also be showcased by the partners. It would include personalization of product, market testing for the short run, local area snap promotions, and print-on-demand or print-per-event.
GAIA combines the expertise of Uteco in web handling, expertise of INX Digital in the customization and integration of digital technologies and print engines, and an in-line ebeam Compact 80/400 curing unit from ebeam Technologies.
Uteco CMO Davide Cucinella said: “GAIA is all about innovation and the combined technical expertise from Uteco, ebeam and INX.
“In addition to opening up a whole breadth of possibilities for packaging converters and label printers, GAIA offers a new business model for digital printing – no click charge.”
ebeam Technologies has revealed that the 4-colour solution uses photoinitiator-free inkjet ebeam-curable inks from INX Digital which has been developed recently.
The new digital production line has a resolution up to 720 x 360 dpi. Its throughput speed is up to 25m/minute.
GAIA with a footprint of 4.4 x 1.5m is a low energy/low pollution solution that can be safely and conveniently accommodated into print room environments.
Image: ebeam, Uteco Converting and INX Digital launch GAIA at Label Expo 2017. Photo: courtesy of ebeam Technologies.