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Inkcups Helix One

A dedicated DTO option for parallel and tapered cylinders, says Simon Eccles
parallel-sided cylinders or conical sec-
tions (maximum taper is 7º). Cones are
rotated at an angle so that the straight
edge is always at a constant distance from
the printhead.
Inkcups says that most competitors are
belt-driven, but the Helix One has a pre-
cision linear servo/rail system with a lin-
ear encoder controlling the carriage
motion and synchronising the inkjet
head firing clock. The LV series ink is
UV-cured, with a segmented curing lamp
that “minimises the carriage travel for a
given image size,” says Grauf. It’s suited
to substrates including powder coats,
stainless steel and rigid plastics. Some
materials work best with a primer that is
available if you order an extra printhead.

What does it do? scale up is very attractive to users. It is an How fast is it?
Helix One is a direct-to-object full colour ideal solution for businesses exploring Throughput depends on the size of the
inkjet printer for parallel and tapered cyl- new markets, with a lower investment items being printed, but Inkcups reckons
inders that is compact enough to fit on a than other direct-to-object solutions, that on average it can print one vessel per
desktop or be used in a shop kiosk. The Specifications minimal footprint, and full colour, pro- minute.
case is styled with bright colours and Process UV inkjet ductive, and quality print operations.”
curves to look more like an office appli- direct-to-object How easy is it to use?
ance than an industrial machine. It is How does it work? “As an entry-level solution, the Helix
made by the US-based Inkcups, which Resolution Housed in an attractively styled casing, One is user-friendly and intuitive,” says
also makes pad printers and laser plate 600x1,200dpi the lift-up front door includes a Grauf. “Training and support from
engravers for direct-to-object work. Its UV-filtered smoked glass window to Inkcups are provided to operators to
Helix range of direct-to-cylinder printers Colours CMYK plus show job progress. There’s a touchscreen maximise the machine’s productivity and
was first introduced in 2016; the name white plus varnish control panel and buttons on the front fully benefit from the range of additional
(plus optional
refers to the spiral line of print as the primer) panel below the door. Inside the system features.”
inkjet head advances along the rotating uses an inkjet printhead on a travelling
cylinder. Colours CMYK plus carriage that moves from side to side What UK support is on offer?
white plus varnish across the width of the print area. The Inkcups is based in Danvers,
When was it launched and what is (plus optional colours are CMYK plus white and clear, Massachusetts, in the US but has a
the market? primer) with an optional primer as a seventh European office offering service support
The compact Helix One was launched in Part diameter channel. Inkcups says its printheads use and consumables stock. “Our office in
April this year and shown at Fespa Global 45-120mm MEMS technology that’s new to its Helix Freudenberg caters to all European coun-
Print Expo. It’s said to be particularly range. “Early users have been amazed by tries,” says Grauf. “Equipped with a dem-
suited to drinks applications: bottles, Max image length the output quality and consistency of this onstration room, a well-stocked
cans and flasks. “The compact size and 220mm head,” claims Grauf. Underneath the warehouse, and office facilities, our
price point make it well-suited to print head carriage is an automatic program- German office is presently undergoing
expansion to enhance customer service
mable tooling fixture and height adjusta-
shops aiming to target new markets with ble rotation mechanism. This holds and capabilities. Additionally, we have ser-
an entry-level yet efficient and high print supports the target parts (Inkcups also vice technicians worldwide, including
quality solution,” says Bobby Grauf, man- calls them ‘vessels’) and automatically one in the UK, ensuring the fastest turna-
aging director of Inkcups Europe. There tilts and rotates to optimise print quality round time for our clients.”
was a clear desire for a more modular and speed.
machine that could run independently as The parts must be fully cylindrical (ie not What does it cost?
an entry-level printer, so the ability to oblongs) and straight-sided, either as The complete system is about £60,000.
“The compact Helix One was launched in April this year.”

30 PrintWeek MENA July-August 2023 www.printweekmena.com