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BULLETIN
Higher definition inkjet
printing
HP claims to have raised the bar in inkjet
printing with the launch of High Definition
Nozzle Architecture technology for HP inkjet
web presses.
The technology doubles the native print
resolution of current HP inkjet printheads from
10,560 to 21,120 nozzles, delivering 2,400 nozzles
per inch, and supporting dual drop weight per
colour for sharper text, more accurate skin tones
and smoother colour transitions.
High Definition Nozzle Architecture technology
will be incorporated into all HP Inkjet Web Press
platforms, including the HP T200, T300 and T400
Inkjet Web Press families and those sold through
resellers. Existing customers can upgrade to the
new technology.
Giving waste a new life
A 3D printer that uses filaments made
exclusively from recycled, post-consumer
plastics is one of the featured products
in the EKOCYCLE shop-within-a-shop in
Harrods, London.
A collaboration between The Coca-Cola
Company and musician will.i.am, EKOCYCLE is a
collection of desirable lifestyle products made from
recycled materials.
The plug-and-play EKOCYCLE Cube 3D printer
from 3D Systems lets users create useful new items
out of waste plastic. Each EKOCYCLE-branded
cartridge contains filament made from three
recycled 20oz PET plastic bottles. Consumables are
available in red, black, white and natural colours.
Design challenge
To celebrate the launch of the ST3Di ModelSmart
Pro printer range at the Staples store in Milton
Keynes, ST3Di is challenging pupils in local
secondary schools to submit their 3D designs
to a panel made up of industry experts, media,
influential bloggers and model creators. The five
winners (one per school) to be announced in June
will have their design printed and receive a £100
gift voucher. The school with the most entrants
will receive discount vouchers for ST3Di products.
ST3Di, part of Environmental Business Products, a
collector and remanufacturer of inkjet cartridges,
plans to roll out the ST3Di ModelSmart Pro range
to other retailers in 2015.
RS launches own brand
3D printer
RS Components, the trading brand of
Electrocomponents plc, has introduced the first RS-
branded 3D printer. The RS IdeaWerk 3D printer is
claimed to be 30% cheaper than other 3D printers
in its class and very quiet in operation, making
it suitable for use in offices, classrooms and the
home. RS also sells 3D printers from 3D Systems,
Ultimaker, BEEVERYCREATIVE and RepRapPro.
Rising star
The Zhuhai CTC 3D printer has achieved
second place in the January 2015 ranking
of 3D print quality produced by 3D Hubs,
which surveys more than 10,000 3D printer
users in more than 160 countries.
Based on an open source prototype, MakerBot
Replicator, the $700 printer is designed, developed
and manufactured by Zhuhai CTC Electronic Co.,
Ltd. The Chinese company entered the 3D printing
market in 2010 and opened the world’s largest
desktop 3D printer manufacturing facility in April,
2014.
Enduring relationship
Pitney Bowes has renewed its strategic alliance
with HP, which has been in place since 2009 and
helps Pitney Bowes integrate digital and physical
mail, primarily through the IntelliJet Printing
System and Print+ Messenger colour inkjet system
used by printers and mailers to produce high
quality, high impact physical communications.
Bridging the paper-digital divide
Zodiak Rights is bringing its catalogues
to life with an augmented reality app
developed by Blue Sky Creative.
The market leader in the worldwide distribution
of television programming commissioned Blue Sky
Creative to create interactive catalogues promoting
Wallander, Location, Location
and other programmes
for the annual MIPCOM event in Cannes.
Pointing an iPad at static images in the
catalogue triggers promotional videos so that
programme buyers can see what they are getting
as well as reading about it.
Paul Houlton, Managing Director at Blue Sky
Creative Ltd, said: "Zodiak had glossy catalogues
and great videos, so AR was the perfect way
to link them up. Using the iPad's camera and
the image recognition software in our app, the
salespeople could launch video clips directly from
the hard copy catalogues. By providing a bridge
to rich digital content, AR breathes new life into
good old paper catalogues."
Message on a bottle
The Dutch vodka brand MEDEA is using
‘message on a bottle’ technology to interact with
consumers. The combination of programmable
LED displays on bottles, Apple’s iBeacon Bluetooth
technology and a MEDEA app enables retailers
and/or consumers to compose and wirelessly
transmit scrolling messages to the bottles’ LED
displays. Each bottle is pre-programmed with
six familiar phrases, such as ‘Happy Birthday’,
‘Congratulations’ and ‘Thank you’, that crawl
across the label in electric blue. Owners can also
add their own messages.
