Kodak Announces a Host of New Products for drupa 2016

Kodak kicked off the pre-drupa media conference on Monday by announcing numerous new technologies that it will be showing at drupa 2016, ranging from new plates and CTP upgrades to new inkjet and toner systems.

At this week's pre-drupa 2016 International Media Conference, Kodak executives revealed a long list of new products the company will be showing at drupa.

Among them was the new KODAK NEXPRESS ZX3900 Digital Production Color Press, which supports thicker paper and the use of synthetic substrates. This will open up new opportunities for printers, including short-run packaging applications like labels, tags and small folding cartons.

The company will also preview a new KODAK NEXPRESS Platform on its stand, with commercial availability targeted for 2017. The new platform will feature a new multi-bit LED writing system that provides industry-unique computational halftone screening, enabling extremely consistent, high image quality with minimal artifacts.

Additionally, switchable color stations that allow for colors to be printed in different sequences and combinations will broaden the spectrum of applications that can be produced (for example CMY plus two specialty inks). The new NEXPRESS Platform will be capable of delivering peak quality over longer runs with less operator effort. It will also have the ability to print on longer sheets of up to 48˝.

Kodak will also launch its next generation inkjet technology platform, KODAK ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technology. Built on the company’s continuous inkjet Stream technology, ULTRASTREAM will move production inkjet into the mainstream of commercial printing and packaging.

Also announced Monday:

• A new addition to the SONORA process-free plate portfolio designed to meet the rigorous demands of UV print applications.
• KODAK AQUA-IMAGE Pressroom Chemicals range to help printers reduce variability and improve performance in the pressroom.
• KODAK ELECTRA MAX Thermal Plates and KODAK LIBRA VP Digital Plates for commercial and newspaper printers.
• The new FLEXCEL NX System ’16, which builds on Kodak’s award-winning NX Advantage technology.
• KODAK NEXPRESS White Dry Ink for NEXPRESS devices for the Fifth Imaging Unit.
• The new Multi-Cassette Unit, Single Cassette Unit and In-Line Punch System for the KODAK TRENDSETTER and KODAK ACHIEVE Platesetters to deliver better functionality and performance to drive efficiency, but with a compact footprint.