Thoughts?

Probably a mid-range printer like a Vutek. The machines are great, but EFI is not fun to deal with. Everything is a damn hassle. The techs are pretty good. Things may have changed since I dealt with them - may be worth looking at.

 

I would look at some of the inca options first. We just signed a contract on a Spyder 320 VOW. We used Sericol for the distributor. I say to look at incas first because both Fuji and Sericol always seem ready to demo a unit and both companies offered to cover our air fare. There are 2 mid range offerings that could accomplish your needs provided you run a couple of shifts.

Spyder 320
3 Pass Bi Di = 878 sqft / hr
5 Pass Bi Di = 711 sqft / hr
7 Pass Bi Di = 501 sqft / hr

Spyder V
6 Pass Bi Di = 1001 sqft / hr
10 Pass Bi Di = 624 sqft / hr

These are both dedicated flatbeds with out roll to roll options. I would use either of these machines as a yard stick for any other offerings you look at.

 

cardboard printer

140,000 sq ft per month is a ton of printing and will not allow for a "mattel" brand printer. I have a video that shows a hybrid Vutek doing exactly what you are trying to do at a far superior speed than any flatbed will be able to do with continuous board feeding, print time about 30 seconds per board or 120 boards an hour! Happy to set up a conversation or video viewing if you would like, well worth your time!
Greg

 

I agree. we currently have an Inca Spyder 320 and an Inca Turbo. We just finished running cardboard through our Turbo. Make sure you get a company that knows your printers. We've had to change out cardboard types. The quality wasn't very good, but the Turbo exceeded our expectations(about twice as fast as the Spyder 320) I'm sure the spyders will do just as well, but if you want speed, I'd look at a Turbo.