M&R I-Image STE I™ Computer-to-Screen (CTS) Imaging & Exposure System

• M&R’s three-printhead i-Image STE I can generate and expose full-size images in less than a minute

• i-Image STE I exposes emulsion with a full-size flatbed UV LED light source

• Maximum image areas are 51 x 66 cm (20” x 26”) or 51 x 86 cm (20” x 34”)

i-Image STE I™ is the flagship of M&R’s i-Image Series of computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging and imaging/exposure systems. With its full-size built-in UV LED screen exposure panel, i-Image STE I offers the convenience of having CTS imaging and UV LED screen exposure in one machine. i-Image STE I doesn’t require a separate screen exposure unit—or the space one requires, and it dramatically reduces the time and effort required to prepare images for screen printing. In order to ensure proper screen placement, M&R designed the Tri-Sync™ System. The system’s PRINT button illuminates when the contact indicators determine that the screen has been locked in place. That helps ensure that every CTS-generated screen is correctly pre-registered for M&R’s Tri-Loc registration system. In fact, the Tri-Sync System prevents images from being printed if the screen frame has not been properly loaded (this feature can be turned off). And every i-Image model also includes a Tri-Sync pallet. The pallet’s contact indicator lights up when the screen is properly positioned on the press, giving users the same confidence when registering screens on the press that they have when loading screens onto an i-Image unit. M&R’s Tri-Sync System virtually eliminates operator screen-loading errors on the i-Image or registration errors on the press.

i-Image STE I systems use specially-formulated water-based UV-blocking ink and advanced high-resolution computer-to-screen inkjet printer technology to quickly generate opaque images on emulsion-coated screens. CTS images are superior to traditional film positives, delivering greater detail and smoother halftone transitions. i-Image STE I eliminates the need for costly film positives, as well as the space and labor required to store and retrieve them. Because the image information is digital, it’s easy to store and quick to retrieve.

i-Image STE I is available in two sizes and three printhead configurations. i-Image STE I 36 models process image areas up to 51 x 66 cm (20” x 26”) and accept most screen frames up to 66 x 91 cm (26" x 36"). i-Image STE I 43 models process image areas up to 51 x 86 cm (20” x 34”) and accept most screen frames in sizes up to 66 x 109 cm (26" x 43"). Both sizes are available with one, two, or three industrial printheads.

The onboard UV LED exposure systems found on M&R’s imaging/exposure models streamline workflow and increase productivity, delivering fast, superior exposures with exponentially lower energy costs. Not only do UV LEDs use far less energy, they’re only on during the exposure process. M&R’s UV LEDs run cooler, save energy costs, reduce screen exposure time, and speed up production. And, unlike expensive metal-halide bulbs that require replacement every year or two, i-Image UV LEDs can last for decades. M&R backs the screen-exposure LEDs on the i-Image STE I with a limited lifetime warranty against failure in normal use. i-Image KX, i-Image STE I and i-Image XE are covered under one or more of the following patents: 10,245,823.

Imaging and exposure is amazingly fast: one-printhead i-Image STE I systems can image and expose up to 150 screens per 8-hour shift; two-printhead models can image and expose up to 300 screens per shift; and three-printhead models can image and expose up to 400 screens per shift. In fact, three-printhead models can generate and expose full-size images in less than a minute (Note: some dual-cure and other slower-exposing emulsions may extend exposure time). And when combining an i-Image STE I with M&R’s Uni-Kote screen coating system and Eco-Rinse screen rinsing system, a single operator can coat, image, expose, and rinse up to 400 screens preregistered for Tri-Loc in one eight-hour shift. M&R’s Digital Screen Room can deliver phenomenal levels of productivity to your operation. And you can see it happen at www.mrprint.com/dsr5.

i-Image STE I is designed to fit through an 81 cm (32") doorway, and all models include computer, monitor, and proprietary software that give operators complete control of print parameters, producing high-quality screen images at production-level speed. The software provides full image scaling and positioning, has 16-exposure presets for common applications, and can be user-customized for specific art types, various mesh counts, and types of emulsion. The software also gives imaging/exposure models complete control of exposure parameters. And the high density of M&R’s UV LEDs ensures the quickest exposures and the most uniform coverage available.

M&R’s i-Image Series is the most popular and versatile line of computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging and imaging/exposure systems in the industry. The i-Image Series includes the flagship i-Image STE I CTS imaging/exposure system, the i-Image S and i-Image ST imaging-only systems, the oversize i-Image X imaging-only system, and the i-Image XE CTS imaging/exposure system. In short, there’s an i-Image system to suit virtually every requirement. M&R’s i-Image Series imaging systems and all-in-one computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging and UV LED exposure systems will revolutionize your screen room. Once you’ve experienced M&R’s i-Image Series, you won’t be satisfied with anything less.

Tri-Loc for CTS (Computer-to-Screen) Imaging Systems
M&R’s Tri-Sync System ensures that every CTS-generated screen is automatically pre-registered for M&R’s Tri-Loc registration system. And the Tri-Sync pallet makes on-press registration blazingly fast. In fact, owners report imaging and exposing screens in as little as 40 seconds—and having them washed out and registered on the press in less than 8 minutes! Users simply mount the Tri-Sync pallet to the press and move it to each printhead, pulling the screen frames into contact with the three registration points. The pallet’s contact indicator lights up when the screen is properly positioned on the press. It’s amazingly fast, easy, and accurate.

Resources & Specs

Product Brochure

Standard Features

CERTIFICATION

• CE Certified: Built to specifications established by the European Committee for Standardization® (CE)
• UL Listed: Built to specifications established by Underwriters Laboratories® (UL)

• Can be user-customized for specific art types, various mesh counts, and types of emulsion
• Digital workflow simplifies the imaging process
• Eliminates the need for costly film
• Improves image quality
• Produces exceptional screen-to-screen registration
• Promotes faster on-press setup and registration
• Provides complete control of print parameters
• Provides full image scaling and positioning
• Reduces processing steps
• Virtually eliminates pinhole touchup
• Workflow can be customized for specific customer needs

• Designed & disassembled to fit through a 78 cm (31") doorway
• Includes computer, monitor, and M&R’s proprietary software
• Self-contained design speeds production by allowing placement in light-safe screen-coating rooms
• Touchscreen panel with alphanumeric display

• Combines CTS imaging and UV LED screen exposure in one machine
• Dramatically reduces exposure time
• Eliminates the need for a separate screen exposure unit
• Exposes emulsion with a full-size flatbed light source
• Job Recall™ allows storage and recall of numerous screen exposure values
• The high density of M&R’s UV LEDs ensures the quickest exposures and the most uniform coverage available
• UV LEDs use far less energy than metal halide lamps and are only on during the screen exposure process

• Contact indicator ensures proper screen placement prior to imaging (the PRINT button lights up when the screen is locked in place)
• Helps ensure that every CTS-generated screen is accurately pre-registered for M&R’s Tri-Loc system
• Prevents images from being printed if the screen frame has not been properly loaded (this feature can be turned off)
• Tri-Sync Pallet (included) uses a similar contact indicator to ensure proper screen placement on the press

• 24-hour hotline is staffed 365 days a year
• Access to M&R’s Training Center
• M&R OEM parts—including genuine M&R pallets & platens—and screen printing supplies are available online at store.mrprint.com
• One-year limited warranty
• The screen-exposure LEDs used in the i-Image STE I carry a limited lifetime warranty against failure in normal use