Those doubting the validity of holding a FESPA Digital event in a drupa year should have had their fears dispelled in Barcelona. True, the May exhibition in Düsseldorf slightly hung over the Fira like a kind of digital shadow but it is certainly fair to say that visitors wanting specifically to view ink-jet products are going to take the easier option and go to a specialist show.
No-one expected stands bristling with new products but there were some interesting additions to existing portfolios. But, perhaps for the first time, the exhibition emphasised strongly the relevance of software, without which none of us would be producing anything from our hardware and accounting for the output.
The fact that this year's show wasn't bursting at the seams with new technologies confirms the accepted place where digital sits these days. Instead of dozens of new machines, the emphasis was strong on workflow solutions – an element, perhaps, to which sign-makers and display producers thus far have not paid as much attention as their smaller-format counterparts.
SAi's PixelBlaster was representative of the workflow solutions on show at FESPA Digital
In production terms, perhaps many now realise that the print rate of an engine is only one part of throughput speed and that sensible end-to-end software is key to gaining and retaining efficiency throughout all areas. Integration is becoming increasingly important, and this is being addressed by RIP and other software developers. Automation and accountability are joined by ink saving, smarter colour management options and a greater leaning towards adopting standards.
But, without doubt, the hottest news at this year's FESPA Digital was the challenge Mimaki has given to HP with its own version of latex ink. Mimaki also had another product which opens up new doors to what we expect from our chemistries. This formulation has a solvent component to key with the surface of the media, fixing the pigment, while the UV-curing results in the expected tough finish.
Latex was dominant on the HP stand with the first showing of the company's two new Designjet printers, the L26500 and its larger brother, the L28500. Both of these show the enhancements that have been made including a revised ink formulation, double-sided printing and a greater awareness of the ability to print soft signs on digital textile materials.
Xanté's Excelagraphix 4200 also brought something different to the table, with its Memjet Waterfall print-head technology and its ability to print direct to various materials, including corrugateds and foamboards. It's still early days for this machine, though, and one wonders how it will fare in the well-served market area for the media it claims it can handle.
In terms of UV-curable ink formulations, there were introductions sprinkled around the hall, with Agfa Graphics demonstrating its commitment to this technology with the first appearance of the :Anapurna M2540 FB dedicated flat-bed machine. Likewise, Fujifilm's Acuity LED 1600 hybrid printer featured strongly as did the rebadged SigmaGraf printers, formerly known by the Grapo name. Océ is also continuing down the flat-bed path route with its new low-cost Arizona 318 GL, and these examples show that this ink chemistry is still flourishing.
In terms of LED curing, there are still many doubters who don't believe it's yet up to speed for wide-format production printers, even though Roland and Mimaki have achieved success with its incorporation into their platforms. EFI's VUTEk GS3250LX is currently the only 3.2m industrial strength engine to feature this lamp technology, and the results should bring assurance to those who question its efficacy.
Expected trend patterns for textile production and smaller machines were in evidence at the show, as was the predicted growth in popularity for cutting tables across all sizes and budgets. Likewise, proof that solvent-based engines with next-generation ink formulations are still highly popular was in evidence with well priced entrants like the Epson SureColor S-30600 challenging other entry-level platforms.
However, this year's FESPA Digital should be remembered for making it clear to every PSP in every sector that it's time to pay attention to workflow and colour management. The days are gone when accuracy was a hit or miss affair, and this is now simplified with software that irons out the calibration and profiling creases and should help users achieve professional standards that meet ISO criteria.
The FESPA team once again achieved what it set out to do, and that is to provide a dedicated platform for the digital sectors. As such, all visitors will have gained valuable insights into the technologies which will continue to drive our industry forward from an event dedicated to the purpose.