A case study of Sanwa shoko Inc., which has installed the JFX600-2513, was published in the sign industry magazine “Kanbankeiei” , Vol. 31 (February 2024 issue).

The following is the published article in its original form.

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Amazing functionality of the "JFX600-2513" high-speed x high-image quality that accelerates high-value-added proposals with outstanding speed and performance.

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Sanwa shoko Inc. located in Koshigaya, Saitama, offers a full lineup of major production equipment for the sign industry, including 5-meter super wide UV printers, large and small flatbed UV machines, mid-range eco-solvent machines, and water-based resin machines. In addition, the company owns all the high-end equipment needed for post-processing, such as multi-cutting machines and flatbed applicators, and is renowned as one of the leading long-established output vendors in the Kanto area.

On the other hand, the company is also involved in the sale of a wide range of equipment and materials, including laminators, media, aluminum composite panels, and acrylic panels, as well as various printers, utilizing the know-how it has accumulated through its large-scale printing services and novelty production. As a sign manufacturing company, they are able to make optimal proposals tailored to each user based on their many years of experience handling these products onsite, which is valued by nationwide clients.

The company, which is well versed in such inkjet output, introduced a new Mimaki Engineering JFX600-2513 large flatbed UV printer in September 2023. It's main attraction is its high productivity of up to 200 m²/h at the fastest speed. It was developed in pursuit of both speed and image quality, with up to 330% faster printing than its predecessor and stable operation due to a table design compatible with a large carriage.

So how exactly is the company using the JFX600-2513? We interviewed Mr. Kazuya Sato of Sanwa Shoko, operator of the JFX600-2513, about how the machine was introduced, his impressions of its actual use, and future prospects.

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― At first, what are the main printouts of the JFX600-2513?

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Since its introduction in September 2023, we have been running it mainly for event-related projects. During this year-end and New Year's holidays, the thick-printing function was a big hit, as we delivered about 200 sheets of 4 x 8 board size (1219 × 2438 mm).

Our track record of responding flexibly to difficult projects that other companies would have refused has been highly regarded, and we have been able to increase the volume of orders we have received.

One example is direct printing on materials such as curtains and veils. We hope to successfully combine our expertise in handling such difficult media with the high productivity of the JFX600-2513. We would like to try to utilize the material in areas such as event decorations, store displays, and campaigns, without being restricted to the boundaries of board materials.

― How did you come to install JFX600-2513?

We have been using Mimaki's IJPs for many years, such as JV33 and JV300 for mid-range machines and UJF-6042MkII for small flatbed machines. We have a lot of trust in Mimaki's high operability for both eco-solvent and UV, and their daily after-sales support. When I heard that the JFX600-2513 could be handled just like the mid-range machines I had been accustomed to, with lower overall running costs, including ink, and high productivity of up to 200 m²/h, I had no choice but to install it. Mimaki is always there to support us if we need anything, and that is a big relief for us when we install a new printer.

In addition, in recent years, customer needs for output on complex shapes and special materials, which can only be achieved with large flatbed UV machines, have increased significantly, and we have been looking for ways to strengthen our production system.

On the other hand, there is a concern about the general tendency of UV ink to crack or peeling when cut after curing. However, with the flexible LUS-120 ink used in this project, there is no need to worry at all due to its softness with an elongation rate of 170%. Furthermore, from the testing stage before the introduction of LUS-120, it was highly evaluated for its high adhesion without the use of a primer.

― What are the advantages of this machine compared to conventional machines?

Needless to say, productivity is high, but what should be noted is the flexibility of the ink. With the recent increase in orders for thick printing, the fact that the cut surface does not crack even when the board is bent 90 degrees, even with up to 20 layers of ink, is a major attraction.

In addition, it also has outstanding capability for delicate expression. Recently, we have been receiving many orders for thicker prints, especially for high-brand projects, and we are increasingly working on window graphics with complex patterns as well as brick and woodgrain patterns. We have been able to deliver satisfactory results to our clients on such projects, which has led to repeat orders.

― What are your impressions after the introduction and what are your future directions?

I am very satisfied with the functionality of this machine, which cannot be described in one word: high production machine. As a small detail, I am also pleased that the table vacuum function can be turned on and off with a footswitch. I no longer spend time adjusting the position of the media to be output.

We hope that JFX600-2513 will continue to play an active role in the areas of event decoration and store displays. We would like to draw out the potential of the JFX600-2513, which offers faster and more delicate 2.5D printing that customers are increasingly demanding, as well as excellent processability without the risk of ink breakage, to further expand the range of work that only our company can do.

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