Erez Zimerman

HP Scitex XP5500Competitive Analysis

HP Scitex XP series overview

The HP Scitex XP series was launched by Nur Macroprinters since 2004

HP acquired Nur Macroprinters in 2007

The product name originally was “Expedio” and was changed to HP Scitex XP5000 series

Two models:• XP5100 – high quality low speed – 8 colors, max speed 1600 ft2/hr• XP5500 – low quality high speed – 4 colors, max speed 3500 ft2/hr

XP5000 series known as “Expedio”

XP5500

About the New HP Scitex XP5500

The HP Scitex XP5500 is based on the same platform as XP5300 / 5100 (known as “Expedio”)

It was first introduced in SGIA 2011

The only two changes are:• New covers for safety purposes• New print mode of 3500 sqft/hr (previously was

3200 sqft/hr)

No real news on this product, just a minor face lift

XP5000 SWF UV Printers5m 5 m Width

HP ScitexXP5500

HP ScitexXP5100

Model

RTR (free fall) RTR (free fall) Media handling

325 m2/hr3500 ft2/hr

150 m2/hr1600 ft2/hr

Throughput

360 x 360 true 360 x 360 true Resolution

16 Spectra 16 SpectraNumber # of print heads

C,M,Y,K for BillboardC,M,Y,K for POP

4,8 C,lc,M,lm,Y,ly,K,lkColors

80$ / liter 80$ / liter Ink price

UViStar Pro8 vs. XP5500 /5100- specs

HP Scitex XP5500 HP Scitex XP5100 UViStar Pro8 Feature

325 m2/hr 150 m2/hr 353 sqm / hr200% faster than 510020% faster than 5500

Speed

Productionor high quality require 60 min ink switching

+ ink waste

High quality only! Fast POP (PDS) modeProduction or high quality

in a click

Printing modes

Free fall, R2R Free fall, R2R Freefall, R2RHybrid –with Auto loader

Auto Backlit

Versatility

Up to 140 sqm/liter in low coverage, special ink, high speed mode

ONLY

95 sqm/liter Up to 180 sqm/liter based on customer average!

Ink consumption

UViStar Pro8 vs. XP5500 /5100- specs

HP Scitex XP5500 HP Scitex XP5100 UViStar Pro8 Feature

16 Spectra heads360 dpi

80 PL – Big dropsRequire purging,

Expensive!!!

16 Spectra heads360 dpi

80 PL – Big dropsRequire purging,

Expensive!!!

32 Ricoh E3 heads600dpi

20- 40 PLX4 Higher quality

Heads

78” (200 cm) media waste per loading

78” (200 cm) media waste per loading

Multi rollMesh, fabrics

Only 13” (35) cm media waste per

loadingMulti roll,

Rigid with autoloader

Media handling

Color correctionScale up

Color correctionScale up

i-Phone appMedia saving wizard

Wrinkle analyzerIn-line Finshing

Management and workflow tools

HP Scitex Super Wide Status

HP Scitex division is located in Israel and reports to HP in Barcelona

HP invest ALL their efforts in penetration of the Latex printers, HP Scitex LX800 series

Therefore they are no longer investing in the super wide format printers

Customer support level is limited !!!• No spare parts in the field (logistic

considerations)• In some cases customers production can be

halted for several days

Drawbacks of HP XP5000 Series

All the information is based on field feedback and customers’ reviews

Ink System - Drawbacks

The printer has 2 separate dedicated ink types,1 for each application:• 1 ink for Billboard• 1 ink for POP applications

The customer must choose between BB or POP and switch inks at each application change

Ink Switching takes 1 hour !!

Ink Switching wastes 1 liter !!, worth $80

Real Ink consumption is ~ 100 sqm / liter

POP Inks B.B Inks

Media Tension - Drawbacks

Media tension is extremely high, which causes distortion of the media and change of dimensions !!

For large jobs this results in the need to perform scaling on the RIP !!! This makes it extremely problematic to get the file size accurate

See the high tension on the PVC banner and how the media is stretched

Media Waste - Drawbacks

13 ”cm waste

UViStar = 13” (35cm) media waste when loading new roll

78” (200 cm) waste

Expedio = 78” (200cm) media waste when loading new roll

• Each time a customer loads new media he wastes 78” ! (4% from new PVC

banner roll goes to waste)• Customer replaces media rolls several times per day• Annual waste vs. UViStar can be $20K

XP Media Loading - Drawbacks

Media loading must be accurate to prevent wrinkles during printing• See below how much scotch tape is applied to the

roll

HP Scitex XP5500 - Drawbacks

Ink level indication:• No ink level gauge (only empty / full )• If there is no ink in the tank, printing stops

machine can not stay unattended

No UV lamp time counter• UV lamp status in unknown • Might effect curing and print quality over

time

Head Carriage Height

In Expedio it is impossible to change the head carriage height during printing

If for some reason there are wrinkles (faulty loading, wrinkle in the roll from manufacturer ):• The print heads touch the media• Damage the print heads• Ruin the printed jobs

Can not raise carriage during print process

UViStar Pro8 vs. XP at Same Customer’s Site

Comparing the to the XP, the customer especially likes the following benefits:• Our ability to print on EVERY substrate with minimal user

intervention when switching from one to the other (PE, PVC and vinyl).

• On the HP Expedio he prints only PE and the machine is very sensitive to wrinkles. (raise the print carriage and resume printing cannot be done on the XP)

The XP prints in a SINGLE direction only, otherwise it is not sellable quality

Customer’s quote:• “Our production speed is really 353 sqm / hr, unlike the HP XP

where the production speed in reality is half of what is written in the spec”

Pro8 Wins in Every Parameter

Speed 353 vs. 325m/hr

Resolution 600 vs. 360dpi

True hybrid with minimal switch time 5 vs. 20 min

Minimal waste• Media 35 vs. 2000cm• Ink consumption 180 vs. 100m/liter• Switch 4 to 8 colors 5 vs. 60min, 400ml vs. 800ml

Simplicity & Utilization carriage height etc….

Backlit Fully automatic vs. partially

In-line finshing

Auto loader & unloader

UViStar Pro8 Benefits

Up to 353 sqm/hr (3,800 sqft/hr) – real production mode!

POP mode based on PDS technology

Hybrid option – switch in few minutes

Automatic loader & unloader for maximum printer utilization

Most versatile application capabilities – POP, PE ECO signs, Fleet, Soft signage, Rigid applications, Backlit, Billboard, Building wraps etc.

8 colors print

Best ink consumption in the market – up to 180 sqm/liter (1,940sqft/liter) – annual saving can reach $100K

Advanced Featuers:• Media saving wizard• In-line finishing• Automatic backlit • Multi files optimizer• iPhone app

Fuji inks has high durability, low odor and huge color Gamut