Inkcups launches innovative Nano Pin Curing technology

PSI member company Inkcups – a global supplier and manufacturer of digital inkjet devices, pad printing devices, laser platesetters and related accessories – launches its innovative and patent-pending Nano Pin Curing technology for the Helix® range of cylindrical direct UV printers. 

Nano Pin Curing won the PRINTING United Alliance’s 2024 Pinnacle Award in the Technology category and was first introduced in September 2024. The technology enables the printing of transparent cylindrical containers such as glassware, clear plastic bottles, wine and spirits bottles, candle holders and various beverages without the need to first fill the container with a UV-blocking substance or filler. By eliminating this process, production time is reduced and the sterile environment inside the bottle is maintained.

Other important improvements include the rearrangement of the print heads within the system, which enables seamless printing on glassware, and the integration of a precision laser alignment tool that ensures optimal print positioning. By repositioning the lacquer print head, Nano Pin Curing users can increase print speed by 10 per cent, further increasing production efficiency. With this innovation, printing can start from the bottom of the glass and progress upwards. Finally, the integration of the laser alignment tool ensures consistent and precise positioning and optimises print quality with every cycle.

Ian Bedford, Senior Project Engineer at Inkcups, was instrumental in the development of this technology. He comments: ‘Filling transparent objects with a foxtail or pellets and then cleaning them is time consuming, but has long been a necessary step to maintain the life of printheads. We developed this technology to change that for Inkcups Helix® customers so they can save both time and their printheads.’ Nano Pin Curing is now available on the market, both as a retrofit feature for existing Inkcups Helix® customers and as an optional feature for new Inkcups Helix®, Helix®+ and Double Helix® direct-to-garment printers with cylindrical UV irradiation. Further information can be found at: https://www.inkcups.com

Picture: Inkcups