swissQprint presented the second generation of its Karibu roll to roll printer at the Printing United Show in Las Vegas. By means of the latest print head technology, the Swiss manufacturer is taking UV roll to roll printing quality to a new level.

Karibu 2, the dedicated roll to roll printer from swissQprint, uses the latest print head technology. It achieves up to 1350 dpi resolution, so Karibu 2 delivers top quality even at high output. The machine accommodates rolls up to 133 inch wide and prints using UV inks that are flexible, NVC-free and Greenguard Gold certified. Unique features ensure high efficiency and reliability as well as outstanding versatility. “We took these proven and popular features from the first generation and have now augmented them with the latest print head technology”, explains Carmen Eicher, Chief of Sales and Marketing Officer.

Easy roll handling for single and dual rolls
Thanks to the cassette system, rolls are loaded and ready to print within minutes. swissQprint offers a dual roll option capable of handling two rolls each up to 64 inch wide. This doubles productivity. The roll holders are split into two sections with each half of the shaft driven individually to ensure optimum web tension and perfect results on both rolls.

Tip Switch vacuum
The Karibu vacuum plate is divided into 136 individually operable segments. Within four seconds, the vacuum can be selectively adjusted, whatever the roll width. Hence there can be no air leakage, even through the space between dual rolls.

Convenient backlit and mesh printing
Karibu features a Light Box right next to the printing area, for immediate and continuous quality control of backlit prints. As a result, neither much material nor time is lost should optimizations prove necessary. A Mesh Kit is also integrated right next to the Light Box. This makes clean and simple work of processing permeable substrates, as well as full bleed printing. There is neither additional set-up work beforehand nor cleaning afterwards. A mouse click by the operator sends the beam from its standard position to the mesh position. Printing can then start immediately.

Automatic double-sided printing
For media that needs to be printed front and back, swissQprint offers an automatic double-sided printing function. Karibu controls the process with the help of an integrated high-resolution camera system and QR codes printed next to the image. This ensures that subjects printed on the reverse side are positioned with perfect registration, and matching the correct image on the front. Lory, the intuitive output software, guides operators through the process – so they have less work (and less thinking) to do, and the risk of errors is minimal.