New Mimaki Printers at Silkeborg School in Denmark

Silkeborg Technical School and large format manufacturer Mimaki have concluded a fruitful cooperation. Through CC and Co., the school has installed a completely new and up to date machine set-up. The new print room at Silkeborg Technical School was unveiled during an Open House for sign printer training when both Mimaki and its dealer CC and Co. (formerly Udesen) were present.

sign denmark

“It is absolutely indispensable for a sign printer school to have a print room with state-of-the-art equipment. We must prepare our students optimally,” explains Karsten Jul, Head of the picturesque school education. ”In the area of sign printer education we already had a collaboration with CC and Co.. It is therefore natural for both parties to extend the existing collaboration,” says Karsten Jul welcoming the benefits of the new cooperation.

Industry requirements

Erik Hvid, product manager at CC and Co., established the contacts between the school and Mimaki. According to training manager Karsten Jul, it is a constant challenge in the industry to offer up-to-date education. “Students should be prepared for the demands and equipment they will encounter when they finish school,” complements Eric Hvid from CC and Co.. He has, in cooperation with the school management, set-up a single machine that reflects the opportunities that students will face when coming out of school.

Inauguration with new equipment

The school started a refurbishment of the premises and extended the printing space so that there could be room for new machines. Up to then only serigraphics was a course that was offered. The change offered the chance to make room for new machines. If students are choosing serigraphic wrap, this will be taught on the screen printing machinery. The new printroom was ready in Summer 2009 and features four new Mimaki machines. Technicians from CC and Co. installed and set-up the machines. In addition teachers and students have been instructed on the use of the various printers.

The latest technology

The largest printer in the new print room is Mimaki’s Hybrid UV printer UJV-160. The hybrid machine can print both roll-to-roll and directly on rigid substrates. Here, students can experience UV LED and its associated flexible inks. UV LED was chosen instead of conventional UV technology so that students can experience state-of-the-art schooling. At the same time the technology offers more freedom in choice of media as LED does not crumple up substrates in contrast to conventional UV technology.

Traditional Print and Cut

Further, the printroom features Mimaki’s printer/cutter CJV30-60, the smallest of the CJV30 Series. It offers students experience with machines that combine both print and cut in one machine. In addition colour management, another course the school is offering and that is compulsory for its students, is also being taught on this machine, explains Erik Hvid. The machine uses eco-solvent inks. However, the other machines in the print room allow for different inks to be experienced. Another machine is Mimaki’s JV33-130, that has been installed in the printroom and uses solvent inks. “This printer can be found in many printshops the students will probably encounter,” says Erik Hvid. He adds that the school has also installed an exhaust system with active coalfilter technology to cater to the requirements of solvent-based printing. For cutting Mimaki’s CG-130FXII cutting plotter has been installed. Again a combination, explains Erik Hvid, that can be found in many print shops. He then explains that the two machines give students insights into increased flexibility and productivity by working with separate machines to print and cut.

Pressure on Print space

The new print room enables the bottleneck in printing to relax. There is lively activity in the space and the equipment has been extensively used since it’s opening. The students are staying at the school during the foundation course and then for longer periods during the main course when they are not in practice. They also noticed a marked improvement over the equipment that was available before. “It certainly makes a difference. The machines are faster and have more features. It is very similar to the way that it is in real life,” say the students. According to Ernst M. Lommers, sales consultant with Mimaki, the cooperation is a good and a long term investment. It promises first class education and makes the students aware of Mimaki as one of the leading hardware suppliers in the industry.

*This story was created and was published by AGI

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