Nano Pin Curing streamlines production and preserves printheads for Helix customers

Inkcups has announced the commercial availability of its Nano Pin Curing technology for the Helix range of cylindrical direct to object UV printers. 

The technology enables printing on transparent cylindrical vessels such as glassware, clear plastic bottles, wine and spirit bottles, candle holders, and assorted drinkware without the need to first fill the vessel with a UV blocking substance or stuffing agent. The removal of this process reduces production time and maintains the sterile environment on the inside of the bottle. 

Additional key enhancements include a reorganisation of the printheads within the system, enabling the ability to print seamlessly on the sham of glassware, as well as the incorporation of a precision laser alignment tool to ensure optimal print positioning. By repositioning the varnish printhead, Nano Pin Curing users can achieve a 10% increase in print speed, further enhancing production efficiency. Glass vessels with a sham, or the thick base portion, traditionally present challenges due to light reflection during the UV curing process. This innovation allows printing to commence from the bottom of the glass, progressing over the sham and upwards. Lastly, the integration of the laser alignment tool ensures consistent and precise positioning, optimising print quality with each cycle.

Ian Bedford, senior project engineer, commented: ‘Stuffing transparent items with a foxtail or pellets and cleaning them afterwards is time consuming, but for a long time it has been a necessary step to preserve the life of printheads. We developed this technology to change that for Inkcups Helix customers, enabling them to save both time and their printheads.’

Nano Pin Curing is now available as both a field upgradable retrofit for existing Helix customers, and as an optional feature on new Inkcups Helix, Helix+ and Double Helix direct to object cylindrical UV printers.