Inkjet & Digital Printing
The New Printing Blanket Generation
Sunday 01. June 2008 - In collaboration with Hewlett-Packard ContiTech has developed a semi-finished product for the US technology companys new digital printer platform
ContiTech Elastomer Coatings, Northeim, is the exclusive supplier of a completely new material that forms the basis for the printing blanket used on Hewlett-Packards new digital printer generation. It is composed solely of a fabric substrate layer, a microporous layer and a cover layer. The materials unique selling point is that it is a whole lot more compressible than other offset printing blankets. What is more, it establishes new standards in terms of eco-friendliness.
Explaining the stringent quality demands the ContiTech semi-finished product had to measure up to, Stefan Kisser, in charge of the project at ContiTech, notes: “HPs new printing machine generation is capable of attaining much faster printing speeds, making it possible to produce higher runs much more cost-efficiently than with the conventional offsets on the market,” “We convinced HP of the merits of this technology.” The materials extremely strong compressible layer is based on the CONTI-AIR technology and ensures better compensation when the blanket is taxed to its limits, thereby preventing creases from occurring.” The effect of this is not only a longer printing blanket service life but also better print quality.
Hewlett-Packard is unveiling its printing machine with the completely new platform at drupa 2008. “In the upcoming years this platform will provide the basis for HP’s sheet-fed digital printing machines,” stresses Kisser. “We are delighted to be a part of this partnership.”