TCG Valjet system is same as Kimoto Philyrasystem GBS-1400, GBS-1600, RFS-1600, TBS-1600

At FESPA 2005 trade show Kimoto and its partner ink company (Lechler Manoukian Argon) had a major display of a multitude of the Kimoto Philyrasystem GBS-1400, GBS-1600, RFS-1600, TBS-1600 flatbed printers.

Our comments on the unusual configurations of these retrofitted Roland printers are in the FLAAR Reports on eco-solvent ink printers.

Kimoto Philyrasystem printer at FESPA 2005.

I was curious to know if these printers will be exhibited at SGIA 2005 or ISA 2006. I did not notice them at ISA 2005. They reappeared on rare occasions but never in such a large booth as at FESPA 2005. I would be surprised if any appear at FESPA 2009. But at VISCOM 07 in Madrid, Spain, TCG (Technology Comunication Group) exhibited the essentially identical printer as their Valjet system DFP series. Yet the TCG flatbed at VISCOM Italy 2009, another Valjet, did not seem to be the same.

Since Kimoto is a Swiss company, what is the relationship with TCG? Both seem to use ink from Kiian or Manoukian Argon.

It is unclear whether the inks used in VISCOM Spain'07 were the same alcohol-based inks as used at VISCOM Italy. My notes for Spain read, “scratched easily off aluminium” as would be expected of any solvent ink on most metals, or indeed most rigid surfaces.

Samples printed by the Kimoto Philyrasystem at FESPA 2005.

Here is Nicholas Hellmuth holding some samples printed by Kimoto Philyrasystem at FESPA 2005.

Most recently updated April 13, 2009.

First posted August 16, 2005.