Industrial Inkjet Ltd (IIJ), the global specialist in industrial inkjet design and technology, has created a new MK2 ink controller system in response to increasingly sophisticated customer requirements. The product development launch has been a direct response to customers’ demands for fully automated turnkey systems to cope with larger industrial printers.

IIJ’s MK2 system, which has already been piloted at some customer sites, will be showcased publicly for the first time on its booth 3710 at Labelexpo Americas at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Chicago, from 9-11 September, 2014. IIJ will also be displaying high quality labels produced using Konica Minolta Inkjet Technologies printheads. The MK2 controller has numerous improvements over the former system from IIJ, which is also the sales and technical support centre for Konica Minolta inkjet division outside of Asia.

The benefits include: Virtually no ink wastage – individual purge by colour. Ink compatible – extensive use of Teflon and stainless steel ensures the ink system is fully compatible with a very wide range of UV, solvent and water-based inks. Even food grade inks can be used. Future proof – the system is easily expandable into more colours and more heads per colour. Suitable for single-pass print bars over 2 metres in width. and readily adaptable to different inks. Can also be purchased as a second controller.

Scan or one-pass - the tank design allows for a high level of acceleration, meaning suitability for both scanning and single-pass applications. Reliability – pilot customers have welcomed the new system after comprehensive live testing. Applications – as well as “normal” inks, the new design is suitable for low-migration inks, white inks, varnishes, primers, metalics, ceramic, conductive and security inks. This opens up new applications such as packaging, glass, flooring or direct-product-decoration. Improved user interface – internet browser control means the MK2 fully automated, hands-off system can be controlled and serviced remotely.

John Corrall, IIJ Managing Director, said: “The MK2 controller has been in development for two years and, ultimately, has been driven by our customers who are demanding larger and larger inkjet systems. We have already had great feedback from our customers, particularly those running fully automated turnkey systems where a comprehensive inkjet system is hugely beneficial.

“Part of the driver has been large arrays of print, which includes packaging and labels markets. The new MK2 controller is being seen of huge benefit to the increasing numbers of companies who are profiting from the enormous growth opportunities in digital inkjet production. The market possibilities are endless.”