One of the original pioneers of digital printing, Xeikon, is doing it again. Xeikon and Indigo brought the first color digital production presses to the market back in 1993.  Now Xeikon is bringing a new digital imaging technology, they call Trillium, to the market. Trillium was first announced in the spring of 2012 and Xeikon recently provided an update on the technology. The first products using the technology will be available in 2014.

Trillium is a liquid toner technology as opposed to the current dry toner used in Xeikon products today. One of the big differences between the technologies is particle size. The new Trillium technology uses toner particles that are milled to 2-3 microns vs. 7 microns for dry toner.  The smaller size is an advantage when it comes to image quality. Resolution is 1200 dpi, however the look and feel of the Trillium image will be totally different from dry toner as the image thickness for Trillium is 7-10 microns vs. 28 microns for dry toner.

The toner is suspended in a liquid paraffin material and applied through a series of rollers.

The second roller (from the left) is the Anilox roller, which combined with a doctor blade creates a smooth, consistent supply of toner to the photoconductor roller. Very tight tolerances of less of 5 micrometers are held between the rollers, enabling a precise transfer of toner, creating high resolution images.

From the photoconductor the image is next transferred to an intermediate roller (IMR). In this step the toner is transferred, while a good portion of the carrier liquid is left behind. The IMR transfers the image to the substrate.  The image and substrate then travel to a fusing unit where heat and pressure fix the image.

Trillium uses one set of rollers per color, which enables speeds of 60 m/min, or 800 A4 impressions per minute. Xeikon expects the speed to double over time.

Xeikon expects running costs for Trillium to be competitive with inkjet technology.

The main issue with inkjet technology has been the ability to print with speed and quality on regular offset coated papers. It is believed that Trillium technology will not have this issue. So the target market for the first products using this technology will be high-end direct mail applications and new applications such as customized catalogs and magazines.

Trillium technology is being incorporated into a new continuous feed product that is expected to be available in the spring of 2014. Beta testing is scheduled for this fall in Europe. The new product will be a compact, having a footprint of 30’ x 15’ and will print at 60 meters/min on a 20” web at 1200 dpi.  The press is designed for shops with 5 million plus A3 prints per month. Substrate weights will range from 60 gsm up to 250 gsm. Pricing has not been announced.

Environmental concerns were a key part of the design.  Output has passed de-inking tests and Trillium is a high viscosity liquid toner, with no toner oil evaporating, and hence no vapors.

Trillium extends the reach of electrophotography technology into high end direct mail, and short run catalogs and magazines as it can print with high quality on standard coated stocks at fairly fast speeds. Anyone interested in learning more about the technology should stop by the Xeikon booth at Print 13.