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M&R

i-Image STE I Computer-to-Screen (CTS) Imaging System & Exposure System

i-Image STE I Computer-to-Screen (CTS) Imaging System & Exposure System - Default Title

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i-Image STE I™ is the flagship of M&R’s i-Image Series of computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging and imaging/exposure systems. With its full-size built-in UV LED screen exposure panel, i-Image STE I offers the convenience of having CTS imaging and UV LED screen exposure in one machine. i-Image STE I doesn’t require a separate screen exposure unit—or the space one requires, and it dramatically reduces the time and effort required to prepare images for screen printing. In order to ensure proper screen placement, M&R designed the Tri-Sync™ System. The system’s PRINT button illuminates when the contact indicators determine that the screen has been locked in place. That helps ensure that every CTS-generated screen is correctly pre-registered for M&R’s Tri-Loc registration system. In fact, the Tri-Sync System prevents images from being printed if the screen frame has not been properly loaded (this feature can be turned off). And every i-Image model also includes a Tri-Sync pallet. The pallet’s contact indicator lights up when the screen is properly positioned on the press, giving users the same confidence when registering screens on the press that they have when loading screens onto an i-Image unit. M&R’s Tri-Sync System virtually eliminates operator screen-loading errors on the i-Image or registration errors on the press.

i-Image STE I systems use specially-formulated water-based UV-blocking ink and advanced high-resolution computer-to-screen inkjet printer technology to quickly generate opaque images on emulsion-coated screens. CTS images are superior to traditional film positives, delivering greater detail and smoother halftone transitions. i-Image STE I eliminates the need for costly film positives, as well as the space and labor required to store and retrieve them. Because the image information is digital, it’s easy to store and quick to retrieve.

i-Image STE I is available in two sizes and three printhead configurations. i-Image STE I 36 models process image areas up to 51 x 66 cm (20” x 26”) and accept most screen frames up to 66 x 91 cm (26" x 36"). i-Image STE I 43 models process image areas up to 51 x 86 cm (20” x 34”) and accept most screen frames in sizes up to 66 x 109 cm (26" x 43"). Both sizes are available with one, two, or three industrial printheads.

The onboard UV LED exposure systems found on M&R’s imaging/exposure models streamline workflow and increase productivity, delivering fast, superior exposures with exponentially lower energy costs. Not only do UV LEDs use far less energy, they’re only on during the exposure process. M&R’s UV LEDs run cooler, save energy costs, reduce screen exposure time, and speed up production. And, unlike expensive metal-halide bulbs that require replacement every year or two, i-Image UV LEDs can last for decades. M&R backs the screen-exposure LEDs on the i-Image STE I with a limited lifetime warranty against failure in normal use. i-Image KX, i-Image STE I and i-Image XE are covered under one or more of the following patents: 10,245,823.

Imaging and exposure is amazingly fast: one-printhead i-Image STE I systems can image and expose up to 150 screens per 8-hour shift; two-printhead models can image and expose up to 300 screens per shift; and three-printhead models can image and expose up to 400 screens per shift. In fact, three-printhead models can generate and expose full-size images in less than a minute (Note: some dual-cure and other slower-exposing emulsions may extend exposure time). And when combining an i-Image STE I with M&R’s Uni-Kote screen coating system and Eco-Rinse screen rinsing system, a single operator can coat, image, expose, and rinse up to 400 screens preregistered for Tri-Loc in one eight-hour shift. M&R’s Digital Screen Room can deliver phenomenal levels of productivity to your operation. And you can see it happen at www.mrprint.com/dsr5.

i-Image STE I is designed to fit through an 81 cm (32") doorway, and all models include computer, monitor, and proprietary software that give operators complete control of print parameters, producing high-quality screen images at production-level speed. The software provides full image scaling and positioning, has 16-exposure presets for common applications, and can be user-customized for specific art types, various mesh counts, and types of emulsion. The software also gives imaging/exposure models complete control of exposure parameters. And the high density of M&R’s UV LEDs ensures the quickest exposures and the most uniform coverage available.

M&R’s i-Image Series is the most popular and versatile line of computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging and imaging/exposure systems in the industry. The i-Image Series includes the flagship i-Image STE I CTS imaging/exposure system, the i-Image S and i-Image ST imaging-only systems, the oversize i-Image X imaging-only system, and the i-Image XE CTS imaging/exposure system. In short, there’s an i-Image system to suit virtually every requirement. M&R’s i-Image Series imaging systems and all-in-one computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging and UV LED exposure systems will revolutionize your screen room. Once you’ve experienced M&R’s i-Image Series, you won’t be satisfied with anything less.

Tri-Loc for CTS (Computer-to-Screen) Imaging Systems
M&R’s Tri-Sync System ensures that every CTS-generated screen is automatically pre-registered for M&R’s Tri-Loc registration system. And the Tri-Sync pallet makes on-press registration blazingly fast. In fact, owners report imaging and exposing screens in as little as 40 seconds—and having them washed out and registered on the press in less than 8 minutes! Users simply mount the Tri-Sync pallet to the press and move it to each printhead, pulling the screen frames into contact with the three registration points. The pallet’s contact indicator lights up when the screen is properly positioned on the press. It’s amazingly fast, easy, and accurate.

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Features And Highlights

 

  • M&R’s three-printhead i-Image STE I can generate and expose full-size images in less than a minute
  • i-Image STE I exposes emulsion with a full-size flatbed UV LED light source
  • Maximum image areas are 51 x 66 cm (20” x 26”) or 51 x 86 cm (20” x 34”)
  • All i-Image models come complete with computer system, proprietary RIP software, and Tri-Sync pallet

  

Additional Information

CERTIFICATION
  • CE Certified: Built to specifications established by the European Committee for Standardization® (CE)
  • UL Listed: Built to specifications established by Underwriters Laboratories® (UL)
 
COMPUTER-TO-SCREEN IMAGING
  • Can be user-customized for specific art types, various mesh counts, and types of emulsion
  • Digital workflow simplifies the imaging process
  • Eliminates the need for costly film
  • Improves image quality
  • Produces exceptional screen-to-screen registration
  • Promotes faster on-press setup and registration
  • Provides complete control of print parameters
  • Provides full image scaling and positioning
  • Reduces processing steps
  • Virtually eliminates pinhole touchup
  • Workflow can be customized for specific customer needs
 
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
  • Designed & disassembled to fit through a 78 cm (31") doorway
  • Includes computer, monitor, and M&R’s proprietary software
  • Self-contained design speeds production by allowing placement in light-safe screen-coating rooms
  • Touchscreen panel with alphanumeric display
 
LIGHT SOURCE FOR SCREEN EXPOSURES
  • Combines CTS imaging and UV LED screen exposure in one machine
  • Dramatically reduces exposure time
  • Eliminates the need for a separate screen exposure unit
  • Exposes emulsion with a full-size flatbed light source
  • Job Recall™ allows storage and recall of numerous screen exposure values
  • The high density of M&R’s UV LEDs ensures the quickest exposures and the most uniform coverage available
  • UV LEDs use far less energy than metal halide lamps and are only on during the screen exposure process
 
TRI-SYNC™ SYSTEM
  • Contact indicator ensures proper screen placement prior to imaging (the PRINT button lights up when the screen is locked in place)
  • Helps ensure that every CTS-generated screen is accurately pre-registered for M&R’s Tri-Loc system
  • Prevents images from being printed if the screen frame has not been properly loaded (this feature can be turned off)
  • Tri-Sync Pallet (included) uses a similar contact indicator to ensure proper screen placement on the press
 
WARRANTY, SERVICE AND SUPPORT
  • 24-hour hotline is staffed 365 days a year
  • One-year limited warranty
  • The screen-exposure LEDs used in the i-Image STE I carry a limited lifetime warranty against failure in normal use
 

i-Image STE I 36-1

i-Image STE I 36-2

i-Image STE I 36-3

i-Image STE I 43-1

i-Image STE I 43-2

i-Image STE I 43-3
Electrical Requirements 208/230 V, 1 ph, 8.5 A, 50/60 Hz, 1.9 kW 208/230 V, 1 ph, 8.5 A, 50/60 Hz, 1.9 kW 208/230 V, 1 ph, 8.5 A, 50/60 Hz, 1.9 kW 208/230 V, 1 ph, 8.5 A, 50/60 Hz, 1.9 kW 208/230 V, 1 ph, 8.5 A, 50/60 Hz, 1.9 kW 208/230 V, 1 ph, 8.5 A, 50/60 Hz, 1.9 kW
Industrial Printheads 1 2 3 1 2 3
Maximum Image Area 51 x 66 cm (20" x 26") 51 x 66 cm (20" x 26") 51 x 66 cm (20" x 26") 51 x 86 cm (20" x 34") 51 x 86 cm (20" x 34") 51 x 86 cm (20" x 34")
Maximum Screen Frame Profile 4.1 cm (1.63") 4.1 cm (1.63") 4.1 cm (1.63") 4.1 cm (1.63") 4.1 cm (1.63") 4.1 cm (1.63")
Maximum Screen Frame Size 66 x 91 cm (26" x 36") 66 x 91 cm (26" x 36") 66 x 91 cm (26" x 36") 66 x 109 cm (26" x 43") 66 x 109 cm (26" x 43") 66 x 109 cm (26" x 43")
Overall Size (H x W x D) 125 x 142 x 254 cm (49" x 56" x 100") 125 x 142 x 254 cm (49" x 56" x 100") 125 x 142 x 254 cm (49" x 56" x 100") 125 x 142 x 287 cm (49" x 56" x 113") 125 x 142 x 287 cm (49" x 56" x 113") 125 x 142 x 287 cm (49" x 56" x 113")
Screens per Shift 150 300 400 150 300 400
Shipping Weight 635 kg (1400 lb) 635 kg (1400 lb) 635 kg (1400 lb) 658 kg (1450 lb) 658 kg (1450 lb) 658 kg (1450 lb)

Here are a few of the benefits of CTS technology to be found in systems like M&R's i-Image S™ and i-ImageST™ imaging systems and M&R's i-Image STE I™ imaging and exposure system:

 

1. The shop's graphic artists no longer need to wait for film printing and stripping, leaving them more time to concentrate on artwork

2. Computerized RIP software helps ease workflow. The ability to integrate artwork RIP into the operation's server or workgroup eases file transfers and post-print organization, and it makes storage and retrieval far simpler than filing films and storing imaged screens

3. Direct printing on screen emulsion eliminates the need for a conventional exposure system with its vacuum and glass. That does away with pinholes, and it cuts screen burn time in half because there's no waiting for vacuum drawdown and no glass to refract light. The CTS process also eliminates undercutting because there is no way for light to reflect around the dot and narrow the gap of the image

4. During washout, the person cleaning the screen can see exactly what needs to be washed to ensure all details are accounted for

 

Typically, the screen-creation process will take 25 minutes per screen to complete. That's far longer than the seven minutes it takes with some of the most integrated CTS units on the market.

Here's a checklist comparing the steps required for film to those required for CTS:

PROCESS FILM CTS
RIP X X
Film output X  
Cutting X  
Moving to screen room X  
Coating & drying screen X X
Stripping up film X  
Placing on vacuum frame X  
Drawdown X  
Long exposure X  
Image & expose screen   X
Washout X X
File films X

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