Punch Graphix International (Lier, Belgium) has received a prestigious award from the RadTech Europe Association for the development of its UV curable toner for digital production printing. The award was presented today, 18th October 2005, at the occasion of the RadTech 2005 Conference in Barcelona.

The award was introduced to recognise and celebrate the innovative utilisation of UV/EB technology in different markets and was open to all companies utilising this technology. The competition was designed to recognise and encourage innovative companies which manufacture products using radiation curing technology, while promoting the future development of UV/EB technology by highlighting its many benefits.

Most toner systems cannot withstand temperatures above 65°C. With UV curable toner heat resistance can be dramatically improved. Images printed with Punch Graphix UV curable toner remain intact even at temperatures as high as 280°C. And unlike images printed with traditional low molecular weight resin based toner, UV curable toner printed images will withstand contact with a wide range of chemical solvents.

Therefore all applications whereby printed matter should withstand temperature treatment and or solvent treatments are possible target applications. For the award Punch Graphix demonstrated cured samples of heat-sealed full-colour pharmaceutical blister packs, heat-sealed diary cups and printed PET sheets.

The R&D departments of Punch Graphix proved the feasibility of digital printing with dry toner electrophotography combined with UV curing.

The major challenges were the determination of the composition and production of 6-8 micron highly pigmented UV curable toner in order to give the same properties as conventional dry toner. In addition to the toner behaviour in high speed digital printing machines, the curing properties and behaviour had to be optimised. In particular the layer thickness and colour independence presented considerable challenges.

The specific advantages of using UV curable dry toner in combination with the Xeikon 5000 digital press and curing unit are numerous. Firstly, high speed printing (up to 300 m2/h) is combined with high image quality (equivalent to 2400 dpi). Further, dry electrophotography is a proven technology. And finally, Punch Graphix’s dry toner approach is safer compared to a liquid solution as there are no volatiles (solvents) or low molecular weight compounds involved and the optimised formulations have reduced the concentration of other potentially hazardous substances to a minimum. Consequently, Punch Graphix UV curable toner requires no special labelling.

The R&D team of Punch Graphix discovered that, due to the solid starting materials, dry toner is less sensitive to curing conditions and also that the curing conditions can be adjusted according to the temperature resistance required, without making the de-inking and recycling of paper impossible.

Dr. Lode Deprez, Vice President of the Toner & Developer Group, received the award during the plenary session of the RadTech Europe Conference 2005 today, 18th October 2005. During this conference, which is held from 18th to 20th October, he will also present a paper addressing the development of this solution as a combination of two winning technologies: UV curable dry toner and the Xeikon 5000 digital press. Dr. Deprez states: “We are definitely proud of ourselves and see this award as an endorsement of the R&D investment made over the last 3 years. It also gives an additional resonance to our corporate vision ‘beyond graphic excellence’ and our digital solutions brand slogan: ‘we are because we dare’.”

The Punch Graphix UV curable toner technology is currently being tested in the field with a number of highly-involved European printers. In order to obtain more feedback and experience from the field, the tests will continue in 2006. Such partnerships are beneficial in creating a competitive edge for both Punch Graphix and its customers.

Punch Graphix provides innovative, competitive and environmental friendly imaging and printing solutions for the global graphics industry. Under the Xeikon brand name, Punch Graphix designs, develops and delivers high-end digital colour printing systems, software and consumables for the commercial, document printing and industrial markets. Under the basysPrint brand, Punch Graphix designs, develops and delivers mid to high-end imaging systems for offset prepress commercial markets. With a clear-minded focus on R&D, Punch Graphix is solely dedicated to customer satisfaction and aims to deliver cost-effective graphic excellence that goes beyond all expectations.

For more information contact Dr. Deprez at +32 (0)3 443 13 11.

Picture material regarding this press release is available from Punch Graphix Marketing Communications at marcom@punchgraphix.com.

www.punchgraphix.com
www.radtech-europe.com