Print | i-grafix.com | Print News | Packaging News | Wide Format news | Australia, New Zealand and Asia Print and Packaging news from Australia, New Zealand and Asia
One of the few Australian companies to exhibit at the world’s biggest trade show drupa, Rapid Machinery Services will show the world its RapidX digital label printer
Rapid Machinery Services first exhibited at drupa 30 years ago, the first Australian company to do so. Nick Mansell, general manager of Rapid, says, “We were the only Aussies in 1986 and 1990. This year, Impression Technology Europe will be promoting our RapidX printing machines, and the D2 converting machine at drupa 2012 in Hall 4, stand A04.”
An Aussie success story, Rapid has appointed dealers and resellers for its machines in major market across Europe. It opened an office in Hong Kong in December to manage distribution into the Asia Pacific. And its joint venture partner has a network of sales staff across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan while Rapid Asia is in the process of appointing dealers and distributors across Asia and exhibited at Labelexpo Shanghai in December, where it released a trimmed down version of the RapidX1. Mansell says, “The stand generated lots of interest and high quality enquiries from both potential users and resellers.”
Local appeal
Closer to home, Rapid continues to impress the local market. Jimmy Liem of Print Rite in Sydney says the Rapid X1 in plant label printer has increased his company’s cost effectiveness in short run label production.
However, he expressed surprise that the technology appears to be capable of being competitive at longer run lengths He says, “No plates or expensive press materials are necessary with this technology. I just wish I could use it for all my work.”
With ten years experience and success behind him in traditional label printing, Liem cites short set up time, and low set up cost per job, as reasons for the success of the Rapid X1. Mansell says, “Memjet and Rapid built this entry level system to meet the demands of customers who have either multiple short run jobs, or tight deadlines to meet as their prime business requirements.”
Liem also appreciates the back-up service and support he receives from Ozzie and John Marzic, of Ozzie Labels who originally supplied the Rapid X1. He feels that the after sales service from Ozzie Labels and Rapid is a cut above what he has received from other suppliers and adds that he received regular software upgrades since initial purchase. He adds, “The Rapid X1 is a competent standalone device with excellent functionality, including a capable personalisation capability within the software supplied. It fits into my business well, and is supported well by both Ozzie Labels and Rapid Packaging.”
Latest developments
Rapid continues improving the breed. It recently built an OEM development of the X2 for commercial printing of sheetfed labels, envelopes and forms. The RapidX2 was integrated with a US manufactured feeder to provide the Australian OEM customer with a product capable of printing commercial volumes of DL sized envelopes in excess of 120 envelopes per minute, with 1600 x 800dpi resolution.
The Rapid X1Lite, released at LabelExpo Shanghai, has the same high speed print capability as the X1 and is configured for low volume roll label users seeking near photo quality reproduction; for customers with an on-demand requirement for labels; and for customers who have high volume requirements for fan-folded media. X1Lite was initially developed for a single application generated through the Rapid Asia sales network.
Rapid for students of digital
Rapid Packaging Services has just made a donation of a machine to the Ultimo Tafe printing department.
Nick Mansell says, “Ultimo Tafe is now running a certificate course in digital printing, a new course. They have never offered a dedicated digital course before. All Ultimo Tafe students enrolled in a digital printing course will experience the X2 during their training.
Rapid has donated several machines over the last 25 years. Mansell says, “I was looking at a machine we had donated to Tafe in 1991. They are now adding some upgrades to it. Tafe is about to repurpose some of the equipment they no longer use, as finishing equipment for the digital, breathing new life into existing equipment. Rapid believes that you need to support the feeders to the industry. We’ve had a long association with Rick Moore, the teacher at Tafe, and it’s good to keep that tradition alive.
“In this latest case, we have made a partial donation of an X2, our commercial Memjet printer. It takes a 1500m roll of label stock and can run in line with existing equipment or with compatible finishing equipment.”
He believes the students will learn quickly with the digital printer. He says, “The rip is on board the machine, enabling faster access to the benefits of digital printing. The beauty of the Memjet is that the rip is integrated into the machine. There is no requirement to learn a third party rip. The experience gained will be transferable across the industry. The Rapid X2 works with all the major graphics packages, simplifying job submission.
GO TO MORE Features NEWS