Megnajet’s Fluid Relationship Delivers for Engineered Printing Solutions

 

Megnajet CIMS II

Megnajet CIMS II integrated into EPS XD R Hard Hat Printer

Kettering, 13th March 2024: The winning combination of high-quality, reliability and innovation has made Megnajet’s fluid management systems the continued choice for custom industrial inkjet systems manufacturer Engineered Printing Solutions (EPS).

The close, collaborative partnership between the two companies has seen a succession of Megnajet’s reliable and versatile fluid management systems used by EPS in the building of their bespoke high speed single pass inkjet machines.

Based in East Dorset, Vermont in the US, EPS has been manufacturing unique machines to print on a wide variety of products and goods. From single-colour to full-process artwork, industrial equipment to consumer goods, medical devices to automotive parts, EPS collaborates with its partners to build unique print solutions – and reliability and consistency are therefore key.

Initially the business built its own fluid management system, however as customer demands became more complex, it was clear that a dedicated resource was needed.

EPS chose to utilise Megnajet’s expertise in fluid management systems within its custom-built machine solutions. The ability to handle multiple fluids at high volume within a compact footprint has supported the growth of EPS’s high-speed, single-pass inkjet and direct-to-shape print solutions.

Megnajet CIMS II full

Full view of the Megnajet CIMS II

The business uses a variety of Megnajet products including the HV HFR and CIMS range. Alongside reliability, innovation is also key to the                      collaboration and Megnajet’s latest products including the Labjet and RackFit are proving of great interest.

Megnajet’s RackFit is a high-quality, compact fluid management system designed to be rack mounted for ease of integration and scalability. It’s ‘blade’ configuration allows customers to stack multiple units side-by-side to create the ultimate compact fluid management engine.

Ken Tyler, National Sales Manager, Strategic Accounts at EPS said: “We build custom, high-speed, printers that are driven by each client’s unique application and having a reliable fluid management system is crucial to every machine built.

“Megnajet’s products deliver the quality and consistency we need and the collaborative relationship we have had since the very start makes them ideal for use across the huge range of our partners’ print applications.”

The two companies take pride in their longstanding partnership and since becoming sister companies, as both are now part of the Xaar Group, have seen collaboration increase and success continue.

“Working in partnership has always been ingrained in the collaborative approach we have had,” said Adam Eaton, Engineering Manager at Megnajet.

“EPS has been instrumental to our growth and now as sister companies, the relationship has developed with a focus on innovation – ensuring we continue to deliver the fluid management systems that the latest inkjet print applications require.”

Demand for inkjet is increasing significantly in print applications, driven by new printhead and fluid developments. High viscosity is opening new avenues and taking inkjet beyond single colour and basic CMYK print applications.

“As inkjet becomes more advanced, it is taking over from traditional print techniques,” said Ken Tyler. “Our clients are wanting a wider colour gamut, metallics and neons alongside topographical print features as part of their custom solutions and fluid management systems are therefore even more critical in delivering the results required.

“As you put down more ink, consistency is even more important and with Megnajet’s systems integrated as part of our EPS print solutions we can deliver the quality and innovation that brand owners want to see.”

We are Headed to NPE2024 in Orlando, FL May 6 – 10, 2024!

We are pretty excited to attend the NPE2024 trade show on May 6-10 in Orlando, FL, and we would like to offer you a chance to attend as well!

Our booth is number is W5542 in the West Building Level 2 – Expo Hall. Here is a map to our booth: EPS Booth Map

Engineered Printing Solutions will be displaying the XDLT Single pass machine and a new robotic printing arm which can print on any surface up to 7 mm away. This robotic arm is a stand-alone rig or can be an add-on component to a larger machine. The robotic arm is just another example of Engineered Printing Solution’s creativity and unique capability creating direct-to-object printers. Stop by our booth and see the arm in action!

NPE2024 is the largest annual plastics manufacturing event in the US, bringing together suppliers and buyers for every part of the product development cycle.

Click the link below to register for the show! 

Register Now

Engineered Printing Solutions Machines Highlighted by Fox Business News

 

FJet24 Flatbed Inkjet Printer

Note: googly eyes sold separately.

We always like to see our machines in the field, and to hear how industrial inkjet printers are reducing costs, expanding product offerings, and increasing margins.  Recently, Fox Business News highlighted one of our customers, Dexsa Company Ltd., on its Manufacturing Marvels show.  The forty year-old contract decorating company located in Hudson, Wisconsin, moved its manufacturing from Mexico to Wisconsin long before reshoring became a buzzword in order to have greater control over inventory and the supply chain generally.  The company now proudly manufactures most of its products domestically and ships them worldwide.

But the company takes its “Made in USA” philosophy one step further by sourcing its digital printing equipment domestically as well, to the greatest extent possible.  Which is one of the reasons Dexsa came to EPS for industrial inkjet equipment.  They know that their machines have been thoroughly provisioned and tested by our applications engineers in our facility in Vermont, and are supported by field technicians throughout the country.

Just after installation, Dexsa sent us the photo above.  Apparently, this contract decorator takes product personalization quite seriously!  As you can see in the video below, the googly-eyes are still there.  We are happy that Dexsa likes our products enough to make them their own.  Hats off to Dexsa Company Ltd!

Watch the video below:

YouTube player

Engineered Printing Solutions is always looking for good people.

Here are the latest additions to our Engineering team.

EPS is an engineering firm at heart. Our very name gives it away. That is why we are always looking to add to our engineering team, particularly in the area of software controls for automation.

Peter Bush joined EPS this week as a Mechanical Design Engineer. Peter brings a wealth of experience designing custom automation solutions and contract manufacturing for a variety of civilian and defense products. In his free time, you might find him building and launching model rockets, downhill skiing, or pursuing his interest in astronomy. Peter really wants to go fast and get his head in the clouds by trying sky-diving.

EPS Continues To Add To Workforce

Augie Levins, Electrical & Automation Controls Engineer

Francis Levins, known as Augie, joined EPS this week as an Electrical and Automation Control Engineer. Augie is a native of Rutland, Vermont and could not wait to get back after working in CT. When he is not working, he enjoys mountain biking and Nordic skiing. Augie also mentors the Rutland Robotics team from Stafford Technical Center. His dream in life is to rebuild an antique sawmill and make it work.

EPS Reviews Manchester Machine Makers’ Latest Robot

 

EPS Reviews Manchester Machine Makers' Latest Robot

Production Manager Alex Grimes demonstrating one of our CNC machines.

On Friday, November 11, the Manchester Machine Makers came to Engineered Printing Solutions to demonstrate two different designs for their upcoming robotics contest. The students’ visit began with tour of our machine shop as well as a demonstration of automated parts-handling solutions for both pad print and industrial inkjet printers.  Production Manager Alex Grimes showed the students radial-axis robotic pick-and-place solutions on an upcoming cylindrical inkjet application that will both load unprinted parts and unload finished goods.

 

EPS Reviews Manchester Machine Makers' Latest Robot

Isaac explains the logic behind one of the prototypes.

Following the facility tour, Takoda, Zach, and Isaac presented two different prototypes for their upcoming robotics challenge.  The contest involves navigating a remote-controlled robot in a confined area and picking up cones, which are then placed on pylons.  Meanwhile, an opposing team is navigating the same confined space and trying to pick up their own cones, all while avoiding the opposing team’s cones and pylons.

The first design used a cantilevered arm with a claw-like tool on the end for grasping the cones on the outside and lifting them onto the pylons.  The challenge presented by this design was that by making the cantilevered arm long enough to reach the top of the pylon, the footprint of the robot became so large as to make navigating the tight spaces of the contest a problem.  In addition, the length of the cantilever meant that more leverage was required to lift the combined weight of the arm and the cone than their servo motor was able to provide.

To address these twin problems, the team designed a second prototype.  This version eliminated the cantilever and instead employed a telescoping mechanism that lifted the cones onto pylons vertically, like an elevator.  This approach presented its own problems.  The claw tool had difficulties grasping the cones sufficiently, since its reach was less than on the cantilevered version.

The EPS design review team, consisting of Alex Grimes, Automation Control Engineer Augie Levins, and Sylvain Lacroix, Engineering Manager, proposed several solutions, including the use of a counterweight on the cantilevered arm to lessen the work required to lift the cone onto the pylon.  Alternative methods of collecting and grasping the cones were also proposed.  The robotics team will evaluate these options in the coming weeks as they prepare for the contest.

EPS Reviews Manchester Machine Makers' Latest Robot

EPS president Todd Murphy presents a check to the Manchester Machine Makers.

Engineered Printing Solutions has supported the Manchester Machine Makers for a number of years now.  We are proud to have had Isaac with us last summer for an internship and will continue to work closely with these young engineers as they solve very real challenges today and prepare for even greater challenges in the years ahead.

Jakob Izzo Named West Coast Territory Sales Manager

Jakob Izzo Named West Coast Territory Sales Manager

East Dorset, VT, August 5, 2022— Engineered Printing Solutions (EPS) has announced that Jakob Izzo will assume dut

ies as the West Coast Territory Sales Manager, covering Washington, Oregon, California,

Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and W

yoming, as well as the three western Canadian provinces.  An employee of Engineered Printing Solutions for six years, Jake previously worked in Technical Support on both the inkjet and the pad print side. Jake brings to the sales position thorough product knowledge and a keen ear for customers’ concerns. Indeed, many of you know him already.

Jake will initially be based in Vermont, but is currently planning trips to each state in his

territory, and is eager to get in front of customers and prospects, many of the the former of whom already know Jake from his earlier roles for the company.  If you can’t wait to hear from him, drop him a line to tell him about current or future projects, or just to congratulate him on his promotion:

 

EPS Extends Its Product Offering to Wide Format

Contract decorators are always looking for more productivity from their plant and equipment, and since they typically operate with thin margins, contract decorators also constantly seek to lower unit costs.  With this in mind, Engineered Printing Solutions has extended its flatbed inkjet printer range with the addition of the FJet RF and FJet ZF series of industrial inkjet printers.

FJet RF Series

The FJet RF Wide Format Flatbed Inkjet Printer

The FJet RF Wide Format Flatbed Printer

The FJet RF series  employs Ricoh Gen5 or Gen6 print heads in either a single or double row depending on the model, and can have anywhere from two to eight print heads depending on the colors needed.  Both the RF and the ZF series include Light-cyan and Light-magenta for exceptionally smooth color gradients and better midtones, as well as Orange for extended color gamut and Varnish for high-gloss or high-build finishes for tactile effects.

FJetZF Series

The FJet ZF Wide Format Flatbed Inkjet Printer

The FJet ZF Wide Format Flatbed Printer

The FJet ZF series boasts Kyocera heads for a dizzying maximum resolution of 3600 dpi and the fastest print speed in its class, with up to 10 print heads in a symmetrical array.  All printers in both series can accept media up to four inches in height and come in three different platen sizes: 5.25 x 3.5ft., 8 x 4 ft., and 10 x 5 ft.

With an extended color gamut and resolution up to 3600 dpi, EPS’ new offerings in the wide format space can cater to the traditional signage and graphics market.  With large platens and print speeds up to 1400 ft2 per hour, the RF and ZF series also have a place in the direct-to-shape market, particularly for contract decorators who want to increase throughput, and thus lower unit cost.

Is your company looking to increase margin and lower costs relative to your existing flatbed product-marking solution? Drop us a line and tell us all about your challenges.  These machines are in stock and ready to ship, so we can have you saving money sooner than you think.

EPS Helps Catheter Manufacturer Increase Capacity

EPS Helps Catheter Manufacturer Increase Capacity

Orangeburg, S.C. – (June 20, 2022) – Zeus, the global leader in advanced polymer solutions, today announced a multi-million dollar investment to expand its catheter manufacturing capacity worldwide.

Zeus, a leading manufacturer of catheters and medical tubing, has announced that it is making a multimillion-dollar investment in manufacturing capacity in response to growing demand from medical device OEMs.  The company will more than double its footprint at its San Jose, CA, facility and will create 15 new jobs at that facility alone, with over fifty new jobs expected in the next few years.

KE13 pad printer

KE13 Catheter Printer

As a long-time provider of catheter printing machines for Zeus, Engineered Printing Solutions has enjoyed watching Zeus grow, and growing with Zeus. We are currently building a catheter pad printer based on the machine at right. Replete with a 360-degree vacuum catheter fixture bed to hold the part in place, a pad shuttle, and two opposing servo-driven cupslides that meet in the middle of the cliché, this KE13-based catheter printing cell will allow Zeus to meet the immediate requirements of its customers best, according to Suresh Sainath, General Manager and Senior Vice President for Zeus’ CathX Medical division, which provides catheter-based design, development, and manufacturing services to medical device OEMs and companies.

Let us help you grow too.

EPS is proud to help companies grow and increase their capacity and capabilities, and when customers return to us repeatedly, we think we must be doing something right.

EPS Names Marc LaBarre Midwest Field Support Technician

 

EPS Names Marc LaBarre Midwest Field Support Technician

Marc Labarre

Engineered Printing Solutions is pleased to announce that Marc LaBarre has joined our team as the Midwest Field Support Technician.  He is based in the Chicago area. He lives with his girlfriend Lauren and 4-month-old English Bulldog named Bruce. When he is not working, Marc is an avid golfer in the warm seasons and snowboarder in the winter.

Having previously worked for Domino and AGFA Graphics, Marc has 13 years of experience helping companies install and improve the utilization of their printing equipment. His experience spans both commercial and industrial printing products. He is a versatile and solution-oriented technical professional with wide-ranging experience and knowledge in the areas of remote and onsite technical/operational support, equipment installation/maintenance, quality control testing and customer relations. Welcome, Marc!

With a Field Technician in the Chicago area, EPS can respond more quickly to customer service calls, as one can get anywhere in the lower 48 states in about six hours from Chicago’s airports.  From our facility in Vermont, virtually any flight will be an indirect flight, meaning layovers and lost time.

Solve Your Supply-Chain Issues By Decorating Parts In-House

 

By now, everyone is familiar with supply-chain issues plaguing every sector of our economy.  We have written about it before too.  Experts who touted the benefits of lean manufacturing, JIT, and supply-chains stretching around the globe are now reconsidering.

Fortunately, many of the benefits of lean manufacturing—chiefly lower costs associated with smaller inventories of upstream components and unfinished goods—are still possible, at least in terms of industrial inkjet product-decoration.  By bringing part-decoration inline with the actual production of the part, whether through an injection-molder or a stamping machine, companies can perform just-in-time customization or regionalization of products nearly instantaneously, thanks to process-color inks and the absence of clichés—a few clicks of a mouse to recall stored artfiles, and you’re good to go.  Perhaps your product-decoration has a seasonal component to it—change from a Valentine’s Day motif to an Easter motif with the click of a mouse.

FJet 24 uv flatbed inkjet printer

The FJet 24 can store artfiles which can be recalled with the click of a mouse, enabling the operator to switch from one job to another nearly instantaneously.

Our FJet series of uv flatbed printers are a fine example of the versatility offered by inkjet product-marking.  The FJet24 is a high-resolution, high-speed flatbed industrial inkjet printer. This 24″ printer supports single- or bi-directional CMYK + WW printing and is excellent for industrial products, medical devices, electronics, appliances and much more.  It can print a full platen in about 90 seconds at 1200 X 600 dpi.  You can watch it in action here>

BottleJet DualSpin drinkware printing machine

The BottleJet DualSpin cylindrical inkjet printer can print on either flat-or taper-walled objects, and is ideal for the Ad Specialty industry.

The BottleJET DualSpin is endowed with amazing print productivity and quality for simultaneous printing of 2 tapered/cylindrical objects. The DualSpin has two loading stations allowing for loading of one station while the other is printing. Print 1, 2, 3, or 4 different designs in one job!  With up to 11 ink channels, the BottleJet DualSpin can produce extended color gamuts and subtle gradients with seamless 360-degree printing. The automatic print head protection system prevents accidental exposure of the print heads to UV light, and the programmable maintenance schedule allows automatic purging, wiping, and capping of print heads. True variable data capabilities mean that you can combine variable alphanumeric data on each part with static branding graphics on all parts. This makes the BottleJet DualSpin the ideal decorating solution for the drinkware and ad-specialty industries—imagine a different name on each piece, with standard graphics on all parts to provide each participant with an individualized keepsake from an event.

XE20 5 Color Pad Printer

The XE-20 can print up to five colors and can store artfiles for instant recall.

For longer runs or more challenging part topographies, automated pad printing machines are often the answer.  Engineered Printing Solutions has a full range of pad printers, from simple, hand-operated, one-color machines to fully-automated 14-color pad printers with robotic part-handling. One such example is the XE20 Pad Print MachineThis machine utilizes a Windows®-based operating system to control brushless servo-motors. This allows the operator to achieve fast and extremely accurate registration in multi-color applications.  In addition, every aspect of each individual project is stored in the PC’s memory, enabling the operator to quickly recreate recurring projects.

Are you suffering from supply-chain woes from your print supplier?  Drop us a line—we can help you bring your printing in-house!