"Regardless of the economic environment, we refuse to cut corners on equipment quality or customer service, so why would we cut corners on product development? Now, more than ever, screen and digital printers need equipment that enhances print quality, increases productivity, and reduces costs, and they depend on manufacturers to fill those needs."

The new and enhanced products Hoffman is most proud of include the Alpha 8 textile press, the i-Screen computer-to-screen imaging system, and the i-Dot digital textile printer.

"Alpha 8 came about when we saw the need for a press with greater capacity and versatility than carousels - and with fewer restrictions on placement," Hoffman said. "Alpha 8 is modular and expandable; fits into places carousel presses can't; and can be configured to support nearly every production requirement."

The three Alpha 8 models, 5070, 6080 and 80110, offer maximum image areas of 50 x 70 cm (20 x 28"), 60 x 84 cm (24 x 33") and 80 x 110 cm (31.5 x 43.5"). Double-index mode on alternating printheads can produce images up to 99 x 70 cm (39 x 28") on the 5070; 99 x 84 cm (39 x 33") on the 6080; and 150 x 110 cm (59.0 x 43.5") on the 80110.

Alpha 8's multiple-indexing capability allows virtually unlimited load/unload scenarios, and the design allows users to start with just the printheads they need, adding more as needs change.

"Other than the end stations, there are no restrictions on printhead placement," says Hoffman. "All other stations can support printheads and any station can be left open. In addition, the 5070 and 6080 models can be expanded up to 62 stations, and we just redesigned the 80110 model to expand up to 50 stations."

M&R's new i-Screen computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging system uses i-Block RIP software, specially-formulated i-Pak water-based UV-blocking ink, and advanced high-resolution inkjet technology to generate opaque images on emulsion-coated screens.

Said Hoffman:

"i-Screen CTS images are superior to traditional film positives, and they produce greater detail and smoother halftone transitions. Since i-Screen generates the image directly to the screen, there's no need for vacuum hold-down during the exposure process. And since light doesn't have to penetrate layers of film and glass, i-Screen can reduce exposure time up to two-thirds.

"i-Screen also eliminates the need for costly film positives, as well as the space and labour required to store and retrieve them. Because the image information is digital, it's easy to store and quick to retrieve. It's also compact enough to fit into most screen rooms."

Providing complete control of print parameters, including the ability to print individual channels or full composites at resolutions up to 2880 x 2880, i-Block RIP ensures high-quality images at production-level speed. i-Block provides full image scaling and positioning; has presets for common applications; and can be user-customized for specific art types and various mesh counts.

When we asked Hoffman what sets i-Dot apart, he said: "Most digital textile printers perform well on white garments, but our i-Colour RIP software has always produced far superior results on black garments. And until the arrival of our Economy Colour Mode (ECM), no one produced great results on coloured garments."

ECM eliminates the need for white underbase beneath black ink on most coloured garments. "In most cases, ECM delivers prints that can't be touched by any other process. And, by reducing the need for expensive underbase, ink costs can be reduced up to 50%," said Hoffman.

The company also employs what they call Absolute Position Technology (APT). APT uses M&R's proprietary high-resolution servo encoder, a servo amplifier, PLC controller, and a heavy-duty servomotor-driven linear actuator. APT and M&R's i-Colour RIP software get most of the credit for i-Dot's precise positioning, layer-to-layer accuracy and high-resolution output.

Unlike most digital printers, i-Dot comes bundled with a computer, monitor and keyboard. Hoffman said the issue stirred considerable debate, but that the decision remains the correct one: "Since we are able to load and configure each i-Dot with operational software, users don't have to. And they don't face the hardware and software conflicts that can arise when trying to run a printer off a separate PC. The inclusion of a PC also enables M&R to extensively test each i-Dot system prior to shipment."

For more information on M&R, Amscomatic and NuArc products, contact UK and Eire agent, Dave Roper on 01299 409 288 or 07799 674 071, email dave@daveroper.co.uk or visit www.mrprint.com

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