Page 78 - April-May-2018
P. 78

78                                                                                                                                                                                                                             79
                                                              Nike, a leading designer and manufacturer of
                                                              athletic footwear, apparel and equipment, is launch-              EFI adds Reggiani
             Nike launches next                               ing the next generation of Nike Flyknit. Nike Flyknit,
                                                              which debuted at the 2012 London games with the
           generation 3D Flyknit                              Nike Flyknit Racer, is a digitally engineered knitting             COLORS to textile
                                                              process best known for its role in lightweight,
                                                              formfitting and virtually seamless shoe uppers.

                                                              The traditional way to construct Nike Flyknit for a                     print portfolio
                                                              shoe is by knitting a flat upper, which is then
                                                              attached to a midsole to create the shape of the                  Boasting a top speed of 560sq m/hr, the device can
                                                              shoe. Now, a major advancement in Nike Flyknit                      print in up to 12 colours in a row and users can
                                                              technology allows for a shoe upper to be construct-                 place the 12 colours in a high-productivity 6+6
                                                              ed in a complete 360-degree form that wraps the                     configuration for what EFI describes as “superior
                                                              entire foot, helping athletes feel more secure and                    imaging at much faster throughput speeds”.
                                                              controlled during their movements.

                                                                                                                                   A continuous ink recirculation system ensures
                                                              To make the upper, engineers use complex knitting                   outstanding reliability, according to EFI, and lets
                                                              structures to create a closed anatomical form that                  users print with a wider variety of inks, including
                                                              mimics the shape of the foot. Following, the upper                 special inks, inks of different chemistry types, and
                                                              goes through a thermoforming process to provide                   chemistry for special treatments all at the same time.
                                                              shape and support underfoot. The result is a lighter,
                                                              breathable shoe that offers a more precise,                         Speaking about the new EFI Reggiani COLORS,
                                                              second-skin feel.                                                  Adele Genoni, vice-president and general manager

                                                                                                                                for EFI Reggiani, said that such is the flexibility of the
                                                                                                                                  printer that it will enable print service providers to
                                                                                                                                    expand into a number of profitable markets.

                                                  DyStar® Group recently launched a new concept of their resource               “EFI Reggiani COLORS plays an essential role in the
                                                  saving module – Cadira Reactive/Disperse Continuous.                            fashion industry, and an expanded gamut gives
                                                                                                                                   textile producers that competitive advantage,”
                                                  Cadira Reactive/Disperse Continuous is a modified                             Genoni said. “The printer therefore provides superior
                                                  pad-dry-thermosol-pad-steam dyeing process for open width                         imaging at much faster throughput speeds,
                                                  PES/CO fabrics. In contrast to the standard PDTPS process,                     improving production workflows and including the
                                                  Cadira Reactive/Disperse Continuous does not require a separate                ability to move to greener, environmentally friendly
                                                  reduction clearing process and thus saves more than 40%                                         processes.
                                                  chemicals, water and energy. This effect is obtained by using a
                                                  special dye choice of Dianix® XF/XF2 and SF disperse dyes in                  “It is for industrial textile producers, particularly those
                                                  combination with selected Levafix® and Remazol® reactive dyes                   working doing applications with very demanding
                                                  and a modified steaming and wash-off process with Sera®                                    colour requirements.”
                                                  auxiliaries.
                          Cadira® for             The Cadira concepts considerably reduce process costs, water,                  Genoni added: “The Reggiani COLORS can print a
                                                                                                                                  broader range of colours as well as use different
                                                                                                                                   types of inks making it a much more versatile
                             Resource             waste and energy consumption and machine utilization. Cadira                   grow their business by producing designs that their
                                                                                                                                  production option. So, textile manufacturers can
                                                  supports Brands & Retailers and their production partners in their
                             Optimized            effort to save valuable resources and to reduce the carbon                       competitors cannot produce cost-effectively.”
                                                  footprint of their textile goods.

              Reactive/Disperse                   The first Cadira module was developed in 2016. Since then DyStar               Although the EFI Reggiani COLORS will not be on
                                                                                                                                   display at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2018 in
                                                  has launched Cadira concepts for various substrates and
                                                                                                                                   Berlin, Germany, next month, Genoni said the
              Continuous Dyeing                   applications. So far, the following Cadira concepts are available.            manufacturer will showcase a range of other kit that
                                                                                                                                     can help printers expand their business.
                                                  Cadira Polyester, Cadira Recycled Polyester, Cadira Vat, Cadira
                                                  Reactive, Cadira Procion PX, Cadira Wool, Cadira Denim

                April/May  2018
   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83