Agfa has refreshed the entry level model of its Tauro hybrid family, bringing features from the faster models into the Tauro 3300 HS.
The enhancements are aimed at increasing productivity by making operation simpler and more trouble-free, thus addressing the deepening skills shortage in the industry, while also increasing the productivity of the machine. An obvious example is the introduction of media guides or skis as Agfa calls them. These are quickly and easily positioned to help hold boards as they are loaded in the correct position without skewing or needing careful attention from an operator.
There are now two control monitors, one at the front of the machine, the other on the delivery side. Full operation is available from both, reducing set up time and time need for adjustments.
The Tauro has been a success story for Agfa, notching more than 500 installations to date. The experience of these companies has also fed back into developments on the upgraded model.
The printer is available in four- and seven-colour versions with six print rows across the 3.2 metre print width. The seven-colour version includes a fully mirrored shuttle configuration, introduced on the faster models and available at the entry level for the first time. The inks are the same across the range as are the Ricoh Gen5 printheads. The company considers these more reliable than the newer Gen6 head and is keeping a watch on progress of the Gen7 printheads.
In three-pass mode the Tauro H3300 HS can achieve 300m2 m/hr. There are options on loading and unloading ranging from manual to fully robotic, though this appeals more to higher volume machines. Primer, white ink and varnish are also options. There are three different ink sets to use depending on the characteristics of a substrate.
The Tauro H3300 UHS and H3300 XUHS remain the faster and more automated machines. The new machine is upgradeable so can climb to these specifications should demand increase to require it. The chassis and styling is identical across the models and has been sharpened up on the new machine.
The printer is now IoT enabled, meaning it can communicate with the Agfa service desk either for a remote first time fix or to equip an engineer with some knowledge of what the problem is before arriving on site.
The upgraded Tauro fits into an Agfa strategy where the company has identified three segments where it wants to be market leader according to president digital print and chemicals Vincent Wille. These are: sign and display where the more automated entity level Tauro fills a gap; decor and carton packaging where the Orca is the offering and is just getting underway.
