London, ON … 3M Commercial Graphics Division has
announced that Hunt Corporation's liquid laminators join the
select group of printing equipment that can be used to produce
large-format Scotchprint® Graphics.
Hunt's AquaSEAL® AS1600 and SW3000 liquid laminators
are designed specifically for use with 3M's Piezo Ink Jet
Protective Clear 8530. The laminators allow graphic manufacturers
to apply a thin coating of water-based, protective clear laminate
to vinyl and paper graphics up to 2.6 m (102 inches) wide.
The equipment operates in a roll-to-roll format, allowing
customers to move imaged graphics in roll form from piezo
ink jet printers to the Hunt liquid laminators. In one simple
process, protective clear 8530 is applied and dried at a throughput
rate of up to 1.2 m (four lineal feet) per minute. The system
maintains efficiency in graphic production and substantially
reduces finishing costs. Graphics coated with protective clear
8530 on the Hunt AquaSEAL® AS1600 or SW3000 laminators
are eligible for coverage under the 3M™ MCS™ Warranty.
"3M continues to improve the productivity and efficiency
of the 3M AIMS (Automated Intelligent Manufacturing System),
which supports our electrostatic printing technology,"
said Jeff Uzbalis, Scotchprint® System Specialist, 3M
Commercial Graphics Division. "The addition of the protective
clear 8530 and the AquaSEAL® AS1600 and SW3000 Liquid
Laminators is just further evidence of our commitment."
Scotchprint® Graphics are produced by 3M's Scotchprint®
Graphics Authorized Manufacturers using 3M materials and 3M-approved
equipment. "By managing all aspects of production, 3M
ensures that customers who request Scotchprint® Graphics
will receive high quality, warranted graphics without worrying
about how they are produced," said Uzbalis. "3M
is confident that AquaSEAL® laminators uphold the quality
promise that is inherent in each and every Scotchprint®
Graphic."
"We are very pleased to be recognized as the authorized
liquid laminator for production of approved Scotchprint®
Graphics," said Jim Tatum, global senior product manager
for the AquaSEAL® division of Hunt's SEAL brands. "This
confirms 3M's commitment to providing its customers with the
best possible solution for clear coating and an option to
traditional film lamination for piezo ink jet systems such
as the Arizona™ and VUTEk™ printers," said
Tatum.
"Liquid lamination gives users the ability to work in
very intricate areas without the fear of delamination,"
Tatum added. "Once they work with a liquid laminate,
they'll appreciate the latitude they have in working with
the finished graphic, in addition to the cost savings."
The AquaSEAL® AS1600, the newest addition to the AquaSEAL®
line of wide-format liquid laminators, is fast, efficient
and easy to operate. Its roll-to-roll finishing capability
and its gravity-fed fluid application system provides efficient
and uniform coating onto a variety of substrates with a variable
coating width that ranges from 0.3m - 1.5m (12 to 60 inches).
The SW3000 is a super-wide liquid laminator that applies
a smooth, uniform and variable thickness coating onto a variety
of flexible substrates up to 2.6m (8 feet 6 inches) wide.
Recommended applications include fleet graphics and billboards,
plus a broad range of indoor and outdoor signage.
Hunt Corporation, based in Philadelphia, is an internationally
recognized manufacturer and marketer of products for consumer
and commercial graphics applications. Hunt's Graphics Products
Business Division manufactures and markets its broad range
of mounting, laminating and finishing products and equipment
under the SEAL brand name and its liquid laminates and equipment
under the AquaSEAL® brand. Hunt Corporation has operations
in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands
and Hong Kong. For more information on the AquaSEAL® AS1600
or the SW3000, call 1-866-AquaSEAL or visit online at www.SEALBrands.com.
Scotchprint® Graphics from the 3M Commercial Graphics
Division helps customers worldwide build their brand by providing
a total large-format graphics solution. 3M meets this customer
objective by manufacturing or certifying large-format graphic
software, hardware, inks, toners, graphic films and flexible
sign facings used to create large-format finished graphics
of unparalleled consistency, reliability and durability. For
information on Scotchprint® Graphics - the brand that
builds your brand - call 1-888-364-3577 or go to: www.scotchprintgraphics.com.
3M, VUTEk and MCS are trademarks of 3M. Scotchprint is a
registered trademark of 3M. Used under license in Canada.
AquaSEAL is a registered trademark of Hunt Corporation.
Arizona is a trademark of Gretag Imaging Group.
Contact 3M Canada PR department.
