Technology Review: The Durst Rho 320R

Key Information
Durst Image Technology
50 Methodist Hill Dr., Ste. 100
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 486-0340
www.durstus.com
Contact: Christopher Guyett, marketing and sales
(888) 480-3588, ext. 5270

Company Profile: Durst Image Technology U.S. LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Durst Phototechnik Group, is the exclusive distributor and service provider for all Durst professional, digital imaging in the U.S. and Canada. Durst’s professional imaging products include the Lambda laser imagers and Rho large-format, UV, inkjet printers.

At a Glance: Durst’s Rho 320R images roll media at 1,400 sq. ft./hr. Its Quadro Array printheads and pulse-firing software allow it to produce 600 dpi down to 4-pt. text. The printer’s step-adjustable UV lamps ensure proper ink curing when imaging on heat-sensitive media, and its industrial-grade, media-handling system accommodates media roll diameters up to 17.7 in. It has five-liter ink tanks that allow extended print runs without operator intervention. The 320R’s basic color configuration is CMYK. Options include light magenta, light cyan and white ink.

Sooner or later, we almost all have to purchase a vehicle – a car, truck or SUV that has caught our interest. If you’re like us, selecting a vehicle is a long process, and, when it comes to the purchase time, we always inspect the top-line offerings, to see what the big guys are driving. For example, we’d love to have a fully loaded, heavy-duty truck, one with a cherry picker, but, frankly, because we don’t do that type of work, it would be impractical for us to own. We probably couldn’t afford one, either.

Nevertheless, for some shops, such a truck would make perfect sense. It would be a great investment, as would a grand-format printer to a high-volume, digital-print shop.

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How does truck buying relate to digital printers? “Fully loaded” is our analogy, because this month, we’re reviewing the heavy-duty, fully loaded, Durst Rho 320R. Like Ford’s F350 pickup, Durst’s 320R is a remarkable machine. Therefore, should your business demand extreme, digital-print performance, the Rho 320R is certainly one to examine.

Specifications

We reviewed Durst’s UV-cure, Rho 800 Presto in April 2008. It’s designed to print on rigid boards, primarily (it has roll-to-roll capability), and at blazing speeds (624 sq. ft./hr. in its high-quality production setting). The Rho 320R prints on roll media at 1,440 sq. ft./hr. (710 sq. ft./hr. in its high-quality production setting). Both it and the 800 Presto use Durst’s UV-cure inks, which will adhere to virtually anything.

The 320R measures 23 ft. 4 in. x 5 ft. 6 in. and stands 6 ft. 5 in. high. The maximum printing width is 10 ft. 6 in., or 126 in. It weighs 9,900 lbs., a shade less than five tons. Durst recommends reserving a 30 x 30-ft. space for the printer. Its operating temperature range is 59° to 86° F, with a humidity range of 25 to 80% relative humidity, non-condensing.

Printing technology

Durst’s 320R inkjet heads have 512 nozzles. The reality, however, is far more complex. Durst has developed and produced its Quadro Array head technology that comprises a precisely machined carrier plate and assembly that holds 128 nozzle modules, which produce 30pl drops. To ensure precise tolerances, Durst performs additional printhead modifications in its factory clean room. The printer’s systems also heat and filter the ink, to ensure it’s clean and temperature-matched (to the heads), prior to processing through the heads.

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These systems, and the 320R’s proprietary, pulse-firing software, allow the heads to produce 600-dpi resolution down to, really, 4-pt. text. Also, color hues transition seamlessly (no apparent banding), and the colors are vivid and vibrant.

Because it’s a UV-cure printer, the ink-cure lamps are an important topic. They can produce high temperatures that, in some instances, warp selected print media. Durst’s solution is to install step-adjustable curing lamps, to ensure proper ink curing while not damaging the print media.

The company’s modular design practices provide myriad options. The 320R’s basic color configuration is CMYK. You can order it with optional light magenta and light cyan, and, for unique applications, you can include white ink. Durst also offers a protective – and decorative – clear varnish and, upon request, will provide spot-color inks. You can begin with a basic machine and, later, acquire additional options as needed, without having to buy a new machine.

Media handling

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The Rho 320R’s industrial-grade, media-handling system accommodates media rolls up to a 17.7-in. diameter; printable media thickness can be up to 11mm. The media-handling system manages roll weights up to 661 lbs and, better, the printer incorporates a device that allows one-person media loading. It accepts rolls up to 11 ft. 6 in. wide. The printer’s stretching and tensioning controls ensure smooth transport over the platen and take-up roll.

Inks and media

The Rho 320R’s UV-cure inks were developed for its specific use. The machine has five-liter ink tanks, which allow extended print runs without operator intervention. Further, the inks include an acrylic pigment that provides dense color, durability and flexibility, as well as excellent adhesion on uncoated media.

The printer images on a wide range of both uncoated and coated media: banner, vinyl, polyester, canvas, PVC, adhesive-backed media, paper and fabrics, for example. The ink characteristics also eliminate wicking.

Software

The printer, equipped with a touchscreen user interface, includes a sophisticated, intuitive, Linux-based software system. The interface is the command center for performing numerous operations, ranging from machine and media settings (media tensioning, vacuum strength and UV-lamp steps) to queue tasks and color management.

Production speed

The Rho 320R prints roll media at 1,400 sq. ft./hr. It can nearly produce six, 10 x 24-ft. billboards per hour. And, it can operate 24/7, which is why Durst’s engineers included high-capacity media ink and capacities.

Conclusion

Durst’s 320R is one of the industry’s definitive, grand-format, roll-to-roll printers. Its wide-span color gamut, lightning-fast print speed and diverse media choices qualify it to produce billboards, banners, backdrops, gang-printed posters and much more.