Instead of ink, Catalyst uses a bundle of 2, 4, or 8 fiber-coupled laser diodes along with matched, high-precision lenses (patents pending) to image onto CLF. Bundled fiber lasers have never before been used in a roll-fed, desktop laser label imager, making Catalyst unique in its class. After imaging the CLF material, Catalyst's built-in Digital Die-Cutting™ system cuts the labels to any shape, eliminating the need for pre-die-cut labels. Unlike all other laser-based marking systems, it uses a knife blade instead of the laser beam to cut out the labels. This eliminates the need for a smoke and fume extraction system, saving even more money on the initial equipment costs and the on-going costs and bother of periodic filter changes, cleaning, and other maintenance.
Compared to Yag and CO2 lasers, Catalyst's imaging method has several significant advantages for producing highly durable labels, including:
- Lower cost. Catalyst's entry-level model's price is just US$2995 – about a tenth of the cost of machines with identical speed and imaging quality. Two faster versions are also available and sell for $3995 and $5995.
- Simple mechanics. Instead of a more traditional but far more complex and expensive computer-controlled galvanometer with beam steering mirrors, Catalyst was designed more like a standard industrial label printer such as Primera's LX910 Color Label Printer. This approach results in a far less complicated machine with no special maintenance or on-going calibration required.
- Ease of operation. Catalyst installs on a PC as a standard Windows printer. Any popular Windows-based label creation software can be used to send image files. No special operator training or certification is required.
"We are excited to introduce this ground-breaking new laser-based label imaging system" said Mark D. Strobel, Primera's vice president of sales and marketing. "For companies that need labels for use in harsh and severe-service environments, and even for mission-critical applications, Catalyst is the most affordable and easiest to use laser-marking label printer available."
A printer driver for Windows® 10+ is available online for download. Also available for download is easy-to-use label design and printing software from Seagull Scientific called BarTender® 2021 for Windows. Wired USB and Ethernet connectivity are standard. Wireless Ethernet is available with the use of an inexpensive (under US$50.00) Universal Ethernet to WiFi adapter.
Pricing and Availability
Three different models are available:
- Catalyst V2: the entry-level model with two laser diodes – US$2995 (MSRP)
- Catalyst V4: four laser diodes for twice the speed of V2 – US$3995 (MSRP)
- Catalyst V8: eight laser diodes for twice the speed of V4 – US$5995 (MSRP)
Catalyst will begin shipping in Q2 2021. It is available for purchase factory-direct at www.primera.com and from Primera's Authorized Resellers and Distributors worldwide. Prices may vary outside of the USA. Sample laser-imaged CLF labels are available now.
Complete product details are available at www.primera.com. Follow Primera on Facebook at www.facebook.com/primeratech.
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