710028LumePress - a new Ultra High Quality, Duplex Printing SystemClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKLumeJet Ltd has patented and commercialised a new ultra high quality (UHQ), photonic printing technology called 'LumeJet'. Similar in principle to an inkjet, LumeJet 'sprays' light from an array of 600 Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) onto photo-activated media, rather than inks onto plain paper. LumeJet prints are higher quality, longer lasting, greener and 1/3rd the cost of inkjet and very attractive to photo retailers, online services and printers. LumeJet's entry into the market has been with single-sided photographic paper. Here the media is positioned under the print heads using very accurately ground rollers, coated with a thin layer of diamond grit to make them 'grippy'. This coating presses into the back of the paper to provide friction but does not affect the front (printed) surface. LumeJet now wishes to exploit recently developed double-sided photo paper, with a new product 'LumePress'. This is being developed for the rapidly expanding, multi-£Bn Photobook and Short Run, Image Intensive Document (IID) markets, where it provides for simpler, quicker binding of finished pages (avoiding the time-consuming lamination of single-sided media). LumePress will be a UK first, sell for c. £65,000 and have global scope. LumePress is now at a critical phase, with the prototype in assembly at our factory in Coventry. To handle double-sided media is is necessary to develop new, non-abrasive coating/impregnation technologies for the primary drive system, as diamond will damage the print surfaces, together with a new Digital Print Head (DPH) and Telecentric Lens system. This requires new test rigs for experimenting with alternative high-friction coatings, as well as micron-accurate digital inspection and measurement systems. Until we can produce an acceptable solution we cannot proceed to market. This project, if successful, will secure employment for 15 R&D staff in 2011 and 10+ manufacturing staff during 2012, and potentially several 100's beyond.