Durst Rho 161 TS User Manual

Rho 161 TS

Roll to Roll UV Inkjet-Printer
for Traffic Sign Applications

Durst introduces the new, compact high speed direct digital UV
printing system for long-lasting traffic sign production, designed
for manufacturers of traffic signs. The Rho 161 TS is a further
development of the Rho 160R printer and is escpecially developed
for printing directly onto 3M High Intensity Prismatic Sheeting HIP
3930 and 3M Diamond Grade Cubed Sheeting DG3 4090 media
types and offers exceptional productivity, quality and flexibility.
Designed for the use of 3M UV Ink Series 8800, the Rho 161 TS
can print Traffic Signs, with a durability of up to 12 years
MCS warranty, while meeting key requirements in terms of
retro-reflectivity and color boxes and reducing significantly cycle
time and production workflow steps.

Advantages of the Rho 161 TS:

• Direct Digital UV Inkjet-Printing System for producing long lasting Highway Trafc signs & general

traffic signs

• Printer designed for printing onto 3M High Intensity Prismatic Sheeting HIP 3930 and 3M Diamond Grade

Cubed Sheeting DG3 4090 media types

• Meeting the European Trafc standards, 3M CRYK inks are specically developed to match the trafc sign

color boxes.

• 12 year 3M MCS warranty (durability, reectivity, trafc colors) are provided when using 3M UV Ink Series 8800

• Reduced operating steps and higher exibility with digital production workow.

• Excellent print quality with a resolutuion of 400/600 dpi (addressable)

• High output speed – up to 65 m

• Easy Operation with Durst Rho 161 TS proprietary user software based on Linux

• High reliability and 24/7 unattended printing

• Fast media changing with minimum media waste

• Maximum printing width 157,5 cm (62 in.)

• Maximum printing length – limited by the roll length

2

/hr (700 sq ft/hr) in 2 Pass Mode at 400 dpi

Belgium company uses
Durst Rho 161 TS for traffic
sign production

Janssens, based at Lokeren, near Ghent in

Belgium, has built its business on the
production of traffic signs since it was

founded in 1978. Initially production was

limited to a few standard signs printed by
the silk screen process. Today the company
is responsible for several hundred different
designs, many of which are in multiple
colours and it has also diversified into
different areas of road and traffic
management. Group Janssens, which

employs more than 160 people (32
manufacturing trafc signs), encompasses:

the installation of traffic signs, sign rental,
the production of traffic lights, illuminated
“speed warning” signs powered by solar
energy, road markings and a division that is
responsible for the renovation and upkeep
of bridges, buildings and car parks.

Janssens first decided to introduce digital
printing technology into the traffic sign
business four years ago when it invested in
a solvent printer. Digital print provided far
greater flexibility especially for low volume
work. However, there are environment issues
with solvent ink and the company believed
UV ink was the next step in developing a
better printing solution.

With advice from 3M, Janssens installed a
Rho 161 TS UV roll to roll printer last
September, which uses special media and
inks supplied by 3M. Mr Ivan De Coster,
Production and Quality Control Manager
of Janssens, said: “We have always used
3M consumables and wanted a machine
that was both suitable to our business
requirements and compatible with 3M inks
and materials. Durst and 3M worked closely
in the development of the machine and
although we are acting as a Beta site for the
new version of the Rho 161 TS, it has proven
to be very reliable. We are also very pleased
with its performance, the print quality is
excellent and its productivity is very high.”

Four weeks after the installation of the Rho

161 TS, Janssens also invested in a digital
cutting table. Prior to that the signs were
either stamped out or cut out by hand.
Mr De Coster commented, “We are printing

5 or 6 complete rolls of material a day

on the Rho and we needed to be able to
cut out the printed signs equally quickly.

From printing all our signs by the silk

screen process up to four years ago, we

now produce 75% digitally, it’s far more

convenient and turn around is much faster.
We started with short run or one-offs
being printed digitally, but now we print

anything up to 500 signs on the Rho, cost

effectively. Anything over that and it is
still more economical to use silk screen
particularly for the printing of single colour
signs.”

Janssens is responsible for the complete
process of traffic sign production, from
the delivery of plain sheets of aluminium
through to the finished sign. The raw sheets
of aluminium are cut and fabricated into the
correct shape of the sign, weather proofed
and powder coated ready for the finished
printed sign to be glued in place.