HELIX® DIGITAL CYLINDER PRINTER
The Helix® digital cylinder printer is designed to print superior quality full-color (CMYKWW + varnish) images on straight-walled and tapered cylinders. Fast and flexible, this cylinder printing machine is ideal for use in the drinkware, barware, candle, and industrial printing industries.
The Helix® UV cylindrical printer strikes an ideal balance between speed and image quality thanks to its patented Helix® software, which places 7-picoliter drops of ink precisely along the cylinder at extremely high speed. This heavy-duty state-of-the-art machine is designed and built in the U.S.
The Helix® digital cylinder printer minimizes setup time with an advanced quick-change tooling fixture that easily adjusts to print on both straight and tapered parts. Inkcups offers a custom tooling service from concept to build. Simply send in a few of your drinkware or cylindrical items and we will create tooling that will fit perfectly into your Helix® rotary inkjet printer.
Time-consuming prepress and screen-making steps are eliminated with this all-digital inkjet-based process. Import an image, choose the quantity for production, and print directly on the product via user-friendly control software. Rotary printing could not be easier! Interested in hearing more about it? Listen to our Digital Cylinder Printing and Technology podcast!
Choose from a variety of UV inks to print utilizing the Helix® cylindrical inkjet printer. The DL Series was formulated for excellent adhesion to glass and plastic. Paired with MagiCoat pre-treatment solution, glassware items can handle up to 200 residential washes (depending on temperature and detergent). The Prop. 65 compliant S1 Series is the perfect solution for a variety of rigid substrates such as stainless steel and metal. This UV inkjet ink recently got an upgrade with a new UV curable white ink- Vivid White. Finally, the XFlexx Series is compatible with flexible applications such as squeezable water bottles. This Series fully passes the squeeze test without cracking. In addition to the numerous inkjet inks we carry, we also perform all adhesion requirements for you. This is done during the sampling process. Once we have completed adhesion testing according to ASTM, we will send your samples back to you along with the report.
Inkcups truly offers a full solution from consulting to setting up the machine for print to training your operators on how to use the Helix® digital cylinder printer. Training can either be done at one of our facilities or at your facility. We want to ensure your operators understand how to operate and how to perform daily maintenance to the machine.
PRINT INNOVATION
MIRROR PRINT
The mirror print feature on the Helix® digital cylinder printer leverages our specialized helical software to lay down an image using colored ink, then a layer of white ink over it, and another color image layer over that. The resulting effect is a mirror image of the interior and exterior artwork. Depending on the design, an image printed on the inside layer can be different from what’s printed on the outside.
FULL COVERAGE
Print the full length of a straight or tapered drinkware cylinder (up to 8.6″) in a single print cycle with Helix® Top-to-Bottom print technology. At the same time, print full-wrap images up to 360° around cylinders.
TONE-ON-TONE & CONTOUR PRINT
The Helix® digital cylinder printer’s tone-on-tone feature gives drinkware a truly elegant look by applying gloss effects using high-quality varnish formulations without color. Contour print layers the ink to give drinkware a highly appealing textured 3D feel. The end result is a one-of-a-kind, almost irresistible print effect.
PRINT ON DEMAND WORKFLOW
The Helix® has the unique ability to integrate with print on demand shops both for eCommerce and stand alone companies looking to enter this market. This machine paired with our patent barcode scanning mechanism can make inventory management and production a breeze. Learn more about our print on demand drinkware solutions.
PHOTOREALISTIC ROTARY PRINTING
With the addition of 2 new colors: light cyan and light magenta, the Helix® can now achieve true skin tones, smoother gradients, and higher resolution than ever before!
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
EXTENDED RANGE KIT
The extended range kit features a tooling extension mechanism which increases the diameter capabilities of the Helix®. Print a part with a diameter of 1.5″ (38 mm) up to 5.0″ (127 mm) all with the same fixture! This kit is available for both new and existing Helix® machines.
PROGRAMMABLE TILT
Easily adjust a fixture’s angle for tapers by saving each product’s specifications in the system software. Simply set the angle and assign a number to the product type. The Helix’s® part fixture will auto-adjust once that number is selected for a quick and easy part changeover.
TPC SYSTEM
Transparent pin curing or TPC enables clear products such as plastic bottles and glassware to be printed without filling the vessel with a UV-blocking substance. This field upgradeable, patent pending technology reduces the wear and tear of print heads, improves production processes and ensures your product remains uncontaminated on the inside. Inkcups is using a unique, proprietary curing lamp to ensure uniform pinning radiation over a range of radii, taper angles, and curvatures in the vessel.
CORONA TREATMENT
Alter the surface tension of a part utilizing the corona treatment method to increase adhesion and remove any foreign objects. The Corona Treatment system is integrated into the print cycle of the Helix® operation and often, eliminates the need for other pre-treatment methods such as flame or primers.
AUTOMATION SYSTEM
The Helix® is now available automation-ready for the utmost efficient print cycle. Utilize the universal robot to both load and unload to the following configurations: a single Helix®, or two Helix® machines. Three benefits of integrated automation include: more consistent production times, 24/7 production capabilities, and the elimination of down time. The Automation System utilizes a handling system of either vacuum or dual gripper. Automation can be added to both new and existing Helix® machines
HEAD RECOVERY SYSTEM
The Head Recovery System is capable of cleaning both Gen 4 and Gen 5 printheads. Head recovery can be performed to restore printheads that may be clogged and generally increase the longevity of the printhead. By using EBD cleaner in combination with this unit, printheads can be cleaned for further printing.
- Cleans Gen 4 and 5 printheads
- Utilizes EBD Cleaner
- Available in 120VAC or 220VAC
APPLICATIONS
PRINT-ON-DEMAND DRINKWARE SOLUTION
Equipped with an advanced workflow system, the Helix® is the ideal solution for e-commerce companies looking to differentiate their brand, to appeal to a wider variety of purchase occasions and to increase margins. Add the hottest product category of the decade to your product mix!
SPORTS BOTTLES
The Helix® as a digital bottle printer offers solutions to even the trickiest printing needs, like printing on the flexible surface of squeezable sports bottles. The Helix® loaded with Ultra Flexible Ink is pliable enough to move with the bottle as athletes require. Reference our blog UV InkJet Ink for Sports Bottles article to find out more.
STAINLESS STEEL TUMBLERS
The Helix® offers greater adhesion and abrasion resistance to stainless steel. See all our drinkware printing applications.
MIXING GLASSES
Also known as pint glasses, are ideal for breweries, bars, restaurants, and special events. Paired with the Helix®, MagiCoat® Pre-Treatment System for Glass works to ensure optimal adhesion when UV printing on glass.
BARWARE
Customize labels on the fly. Ideal for beer bottles, wine bottles, and growlers. As with mixing glasses, the MagiCoat® glass primer works to ensure the best adhesion for this substrate.
CANDLES
Print directly onto wax candles with the Helix®. Add a personal touch to any candle.