Konica Minolta used ITMA as the platform to announce its first dye sublimation printer, the AccurioTex 700, while also showing inline pre-treatment options for the Nassenger direct-to-fabric printers, and previewing a new nano-particle pigment ink concept.
The new AccurioTex 700 uses 16 of Konica Minolta’s variable drop size printheads and CMYK inks to offer print speeds of up to 190sqm/hr in draft mode (100/130sqm/hr in a choice of standard modes and 50 in the top quality 720 x 720dpi mode). Due to be officially launched later in 2023, it is a transfer paper printer with 2.05m roll width and like similar dye-sub machines, it is suitable for producing a range of polyester-based applications including fashion fabrics, furnishings, sportswear, outdoor and technical fabrics, soft signage, flags and banners.
Marketing division director Alberto Seteffenini admitted to Digital Textile Printer that Konica Minolta is a latecomer to this sector but explained that with its addition to the more industrially-focused Nassenger line of direct-to-fabric printers, the new machine would get customers of the latter ‘outside these areas, [and bring] more opportunities’.
The Nassenger 8 model was shown with inline pre-treatment, provided by an additional internal printhead used solely for this purpose. Announced at the last ITM event in Istanbul in June 2022, this enables immediate printing without fabric pre-treatment, reducing waster consumption and providing a faster process overall.
This is backed by Maestro production management software that that monitor the entire textile printing/decoration process from end-to-end, which may include that status of steaming and pre-treatment processes where relevant. Control status and waste output information can be gathered via Industry 4.0 connections with equipment upstream and downstream of the printer.
The company also previewed a nano pigment ink technology that is in development. Called Virabe, this is intended to cut post-processing and to work with a range of materials, including polyester, cotton and various synthetic blends such as polyester/rayon. Printed samples were available to view on the stand, but commercial availability is likely to be a year or more away, as decisions have yet to be taken on whether Virabe inks can be used with existing Konica Minolta/Nassenger printers or whether a new machine needs to be developed.
