Helix® Digital Cylinder Printer

The Helix® digital cylinder printer is designed to print superior quality full-color (CMYKWW + varnish) images on straight-walled and tapered cylinders. Fast and flexible, this cylinder printing machine is ideal for use in the drinkware, barware, candle, and industrial printing industries.

The Helix® UV cylindrical printer strikes an ideal balance between speed and image quality thanks to its patented Helix® software, which places 7-picoliter drops of ink precisely along the cylinder at extremely high speed. This heavy-duty state-of-the-art machine is designed and built in the U.S. The Helix® sports a wide frame, allowing easy access and maintenance of the machine. It also includes an illuminated interior for further ease of service.

The Helix® digital cylinder printer minimizes setup time with an advanced quick-change tooling fixture that easily adjusts to print on both straight and tapered parts. Inkcups offers a custom tooling service from concept to build. Simply send in a few of your drinkware or cylindrical items and we will create tooling that will fit perfectly into your Helix® rotary inkjet printer. Easily adjust a fixture’s angle for tapers by saving each product’s specifications in the system software. Simply set the angle and assign a number to the product type. The Helix®’s part fixture will auto-adjust once that number is selected for a quick and easy part changeover.

Time-consuming prepress and screen-making steps are eliminated with this all-digital inkjet-based process. Import an image, choose the quantity for production, and print directly on the product via user-friendly control software. Rotary printing could not be easier! Interested in hearing more about it? Listen to our Digital Cylinder Printing and Technology podcast!

Choose from a variety of UV inks to print utilizing the Helix® cylindrical inkjet printer. The DL Series was formulated for excellent adhesion to glass and plastic. Paired with MagiCoat pre-treatment solution, glassware items can handle up to 200 residential washes (depending on temperature and detergent). The Prop. 65 compliant S1 Series is the perfect solution for a variety of rigid substrates such as stainless steel and metal. This UV inkjet ink recently got an upgrade with a new UV curable white ink- Vivid White. Finally, the XFlexx Series is compatible with flexible applications such as squeezable water bottles. This Series fully passes the squeeze test without cracking. In addition to the numerous inkjet inks we carry, we also perform all adhesion requirements for you. This is done during the sampling process. Once we have completed adhesion testing according to ASTM, we will send your samples back to you along with the report.

Inkcups truly offers a full solution from consulting to setting up the machine for print to training your operators on how to use the Helix® digital cylinder printer. Training can either be done at one of our facilities or at your facility. We want to ensure your operators understand how to operate and how to perform daily maintenance to the machine.

Get started with the Helix® digital cylinder printer. Contact us to start the sampling process.

See our full line-up of cylindrical printers or visit the Support Hub to learn more about this UV printing method.

Need help with the Helix® or any other digital printer? Visit our FAQs section.

What our Customers Have to Say

Bottled Goose

Nothing speaks louder than a happy customer. Watch our latest customer case study featuring the Helix®.

For more information please visit: Customer Success Stories.

BENEFITS OF THE HELIX®

COLORBOOST

The Helix® line of printers now comes equipped with ColorBoost. This proprietary system allows Helix® machines to obtain 12 pass quality at 6 pass speeds. With a dedicated head per color, ColorBoost allocates 2 channels per head rather than 1 channel per head in competitive machines. Get the best image quality in industry with ColorBoost!

PRINT ON DEMAND WORKFLOW

The Helix® has the unique ability to integrate with print on demand shops both for eCommerce and stand alone companies looking to enter this market. This machine paired with our patent barcode scanning mechanism can make inventory management and production a breeze. Learn more about our print on demand drinkware solutions.

Learn more about our automatic art preparation software: ArtPrep

Integrated Pre- Treatment

The Helix® easily integrates corona treatment, plasma treatment or jettable primer directly into the machine. Alter the surface tension of a part utilizing the corona treatment or plasma treatment methods to increase adhesion and remove any foreign objects. Utilize jettable primer to apply the proper adhesion-promoter directly under the print.

PROGRAMMABLE TILT

Easily adjust a fixture’s angle for tapers by saving each product’s specifications in the system software. Simply set the angle and assign a number to the product type. The Helix’s® part fixture will auto-adjust once that number is selected for a quick and easy part changeover.

AUTOMATION READY

The Helix® is now available automation-ready for the utmost efficient print cycle. Utilize the universal robot to both load and unload to the following configurations: a single Helix®, or two Helix® machines. Three benefits of integrated automation include: more consistent production times, 24/7 production capabilities, and the elimination of down time. The Automation System utilizes a handling system of either vacuum or dual gripper. Automation can be added to both new and existing Helix® machines.

See the robot in action: https://youtu.be/AZZ24TLRfeI

Print Innovation

Mirror Print

The mirror print feature on the Helix® digital cylinder printer leverages our specialized helical software to lay down an image using colored ink, then a layer of white ink over it, and another color image layer over that. The resulting effect is a mirror image of the interior and exterior artwork. Depending on the design, an image printed on the inside layer can be different from what’s printed on the outside.

Learn more about UV Cylindrical Inkjet Printer Design Features: Mirror Print

Lustre Effect

Leverage the Lustre Effect with the Helix® to print stunning metallic effect colors directly onto aluminum, metal and stainless vessels. The Lustre Effect is a technique achievable through software technology, offering a range of over 200 metallic shades. Additionally, this software empowers the user further with access to unlimited embellishments to create gradations, dimensions, watermarks, and patterns with the metallic colors.

Create beautiful metallic works of art with Lustre Effect, while saving time and money eliminating manual steps as well as trial and error.

Full Coverage

Print the full length of a straight or tapered drinkware cylinder (up to 8.6″) in a single print cycle with Helix® Top-to-Bottom print technology. At the same time, print full-wrap images up to 360° around cylinders.

Tone-on-Tone & Contour Print

The Helix® digital cylinder printer’s tone-on-tone feature gives drinkware a truly elegant look by applying gloss effects using high-quality varnish formulations without color. Contour print layers the ink to give drinkware a highly appealing textured 3D feel. The end result is a one-of-a-kind, almost irresistible print effect.

Learn more about UV Cylindrical Inkjet Printer Design Features: Tone on Tone

Photorealistic Rotary Printing

With the addition of 2 new colors: light cyan and light magenta, the Helix® can now achieve true skin tones, smoother gradients, and higher resolution than ever before!

Optional Safety Features

OPERATOR-PROTECTED LIGHT CURTAIN

The optional light curtain feature allows operators to run Helix® machines with added protection. Once the invisible curtain is passed, the machine will halt all motion.

CURING LOCATION

An additional safety feature moves the curing process to the back of the machine. In the standard model, the product obtains its final cure after exiting the machine. This exposes the operator to UV light. While we encourage all operators to wear UV blocking glasses, this is not done always done. Curing in the back of the Helix® circumvents any UV light from entering the outside environment.

ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Inkcups understands the safety requirements for countries across the globe. We are able to certify Helix® machines according to UL, CSA or CE requirements.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Extended Range Kit

The extended range kit features a tooling extension mechanism which increases the diameter capabilities of the Helix®. Print a part with a diameter of 1.5″ (38 mm) up to 5.0″ (127 mm) all with the same fixture! This kit is available for both new and existing Helix® machines.

Head Recovery System

The Head Recovery System is capable of cleaning both Gen 4 and Gen 5 printheads. Head recovery can be performed to restore printheads that may be clogged and generally increase the longevity of the printhead. By using EBD cleaner in combination with this unit, printheads can be cleaned for further printing.

Cleans Gen 4 and 5 printheads
Utilizes EBD Cleaner
Available in 120VAC or 220VAC

Applications

Print-on-Demand Drinkware Solution

Equipped with an advanced workflow system, the Helix® is the ideal solution for e-commerce companies looking to differentiate their brand, to appeal to a wider variety of purchase occasions and to increase margins. Add the hottest product category of the decade to your product mix!

Learn more about Inkcups’ Print-on-Demand Drinkware Solution

digitally print on bottles with our BB ultra flexible ink

Sports Bottles

The Helix® as a digital bottle printer offers solutions to even the trickiest printing needs, like printing on the flexible surface of squeezable sports bottles. The Helix® loaded with Ultra Flexible Ink is pliable enough to move with the bottle as athletes require. Reference our blog UV InkJet Ink for Sports Bottles article to find out more.

Stainless Steel Tumblers

The Helix® offers greater adhesion and abrasion resistance to stainless steel. See all our drinkware printing applications.

Mixing Glasses

Also known as pint glasses, are ideal for breweries, bars, restaurants, and special events. Paired with the Helix®, MagiCoat® Pre-Treatment System for Glass works to ensure optimal adhesion when UV printing on glass.

Barware

Customize labels on the fly. Ideal for beer bottles, wine bottles, and growlers. As with mixing glasses, the MagiCoat® glass primer works to ensure the best adhesion for this substrate.

Candles

Print directly onto wax candles with the Helix®. Add a personal touch to any candle.

Resources

Digital Cylinder Printers by Inkcups	Overview brochure	us eu de
Helix®	Video Demonstration	en
Helix®	Video Demonstration - Candle Holder	en
Helix® for Barware	Video Demonstration	en

Specifications

Product Type

Cylinder or Taper (360 degree print)

Speed (based on bed size)

11 seconds per part (Based upon a 2.3" image (60mm) CMYKWW no varnish)

Part Diameter

51 mm - 114 mm (2 - 4.5 in) - with Extended Range Kit - 38 mm - 127 mm (1.5 - 5.0 in)

Part Length

51 mm - 305 mm (2 - 12 in)

Lamp Style

8W LED

Ink Type

UV LED

Ink Configuration

CMYKWW (Varnish optional)

Print Modes

4 pass • 6 pass • 8 pass • 12 pass • 16 pass • 24 pass

Bulk Ink System

3 Liter

Dimensions (lxwxh)

2.31 x 0.64 x 1.68 m (91 x 25 x 66 in)

Voltage

220/208 VAC, Single Phase, 4 Amp

Maximum Resolution

1200 dpi

Bed Type

Rotary

Weight

1,230 lbs. (558 kg)

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Helix® Digital Cylinder Printer