FESPA 2023 Agfa Jeti Tauro H3300 inkjet printer with the new Flex RTR module

Agfa is set to showcase a new roll-to-roll printing module on its fastest multi-pass wide-format inkjet printer family, the Tauro H3300 LED, at FESPA in Munich from 23-26 May. The compact Flex RTR allows for fast switching between rigid and flexible media, maintaining high productivity levels.

Print service providers will have increased flexibility with the Flex RTR module, which doesn’t need undocking when transitioning from rolls to boards or sheets. This improves printer uptime and maximises print production efficiency. The module marks the next step in Tauro's automation story, focusing on optimally utilising this hybrid printing solution's versatility.

“Automation is at the core of our inkjet printing solutions development track,” says Dieter Jancart, Segment Manager for high-end inkjet systems at Agfa. “Depending on a company’s specific job types and printing requirements, we will offer a tailored solution that will ensure the most efficient handling of their workload, regardless of whether it involves rigid or flexible substrates or a combination of both.”

The Flex RTR was developed to match the one-pass printing mode on the Tauro H3300 UHS LED up to a printing speed of 905 sqm/h. It has a compact footprint and is ergonomic and user-friendly. A single press of a button moves the dancer rolls that control media tension upward, enabling quick and effortless loading of the media by a single operator.

With the ability to handle both single- and dual-roll printing, the Flex RTR module can accommodate widths of up to 3.3 m and 1.6 m, respectively, with a maximum roll diameter of 400 mm and a weight of 450 kg for each roll. Switching from single- to dual-roll printing and back is a straightforward process that a single operator can accomplish. The dancer rolls need not be removed or reinstalled but can remain in place during the changeover.

To ensure accurate double-sided printing, the integrated camera system reads QR codes generated by the printer's user interface to pinpoint the exact image location and adjust the print position at the start of each job. If printing on the back side is unexpectedly halted, the camera system will identify which image needs to be printed so that production can resume rapidly and flawlessly.

The new Flex RTR module is available for all Tauro H3300 LED printers.