Düsseldorf, Germany, reports that SunJet is Sun Chemcial's ink-jet ink division, which introduced UV-curable inks for printing on thermoformed media and was developed specifically for Durst digital presses. Both SunJet and Durst exhibited this new technology at Drupa 2008.
SunJet is the leader in the development and supply of UV-curable inks for digital printing in the wide-format image market, and has created a number of “firsts†in this technology area. SunJet was the first ink supplier to introduce fully flexible UV-curable inks for vinyl and was the first to introduce white inks for inkjet printing in the graphics market. This thermoformable UV-curable ink, called SunJet T Form, is an example of the company's commitment to provide digital printing companies with the ability to upgrade.
Durst Corporation is a leader in digital printing technology. With this newly created ink, customers can enter markets such as advertising, display and decorative functional products. New market opportunities include the combination of traditional advertising, point-of-sale panels and modular shaped panels. Durst and SunJet also see opportunities for personalization of sporting goods and protective equipment, such as bicycle helmets.
Technically, new ink and printer systems can be fully molded on styrene, acrylic and many other plastic materials commonly used on display panels and functional equipment. The extremely challenging die has a 90° edge and a depth of more than 10 cm (4 inches) and has been tested by users for excellent results across a wide range of thermoplastic materials.
SunJetw has developed a new type of ink chemistry to meet the technical requirements. After being cured by ultraviolet energy, it can be stretched and expanded during the molding process. Durst teamed up with manufacturers of formative panels and protective equipment to ensure that print quality and post-formed items are completely acceptable. The cooperation between Durst and SunJet made this thermoforming technology deliverable within 3 months.
Nigel Caiger, Digital Technology Manager at Sun Chemicals, said: “We have succeeded in developing inks with outstanding capabilities in thermoforming and stretching. The general print thickness has reached 500% (5×) with carefully formed new monomer technology. Stretch rate.That is to say, with just the right properties of thermoforming, the ink must be cured at high speed on today's printing equipment. A 12-micron-thick layer of ink is formed at a rate of about 150 mJ/cm2 to this extent. It's a problem, but we achieved this through new monomer and photoinitiator formulations."
SunJet sales manager Peter Saunders said: “We are fortunate to be able to collaborate with Durst on this development. Their understanding of the needs of users and their market research have enabled us to focus our development on solving critical performance. Durst’s Insight opens up new avenues for our technology."