Exploring Digital Print - Sun CorrStream

Sun Automation is on the verge of developing a true industrial inkjet platform that will perform at speeds that will compete with analog flexographic printing. 

Digital Printing has the potential to be a game changer in our industry. 

Digital technology eliminates the needs for make ready registration, mounting, ink mixing, print plates, make ready color matching, not to mention the ability to serialize the boxes and convert to alternative designs on the fly.  

When this technology works it will truly impact the way we can serve our customers and how they will reach their customers. We are excited about how we might use this technology to serve our customers.

Here is what we have learned about the Sun CorrStream: 

1. The technology works.
2. The machine produces a decent print quality (300/600 dpi) at a pretty good speed 180ft/min.
3. It is a simple, rugged and robust platform. It is designed as an industrial tool.
4. It has a highly modular design to account for upgradeability and serviceability.
5. RIP software and File handling is relatively easy and straightforward.
6. Color matching systems are excellent and simple to use.

On the other hand they are not quite ready for market.

1. The machine is priced very high. Which doesn't matter except...
2. The machine uses 48 heads, and at payback utilizaton the heads need to be replaced every 2 years.
3. The heads are currently priced at an unworkable price each.  
4. The print quality is currently well behind flexo and not comparable multi-pass machines.

So what to think?

1. This technology definitely follows Moore's Law: The speed/performance will double and the cost will halve every 18 months.
2. This machine is a proof of concept for Single Pass Digital Inkjets.
3. When the costs come down and the print quality improves this will be the platform for our industry: NO DOUBT!
4. The cost curve is moving toward them.
5. In 3-5 years theses machines may very well be a dominant player in the market place.
6. They already showed us the impact of new ink formulations that will be coming in the next year that radically improves the overall quality of the print.
7. This is a corrugated-centric solution geared to sheet plants. 

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at additional platforms for digital print. Stay tuned.