Mimaki LA‑160W Heat‑Assist Laminator

Mimaki LA‑160W Heat‑Assist Laminator — 62.2″ Roll Laminator for UV & Eco‑Sol Signage Finishing

The Mimaki LA‑160W is a heat‑assist, large‑format roll laminator with a maximum web width of 62.2″ (1,580 mm). It features warming up to 60 °C, fast throughput up to 7,500 mm/min, and one‑operator usability, delivering superior adhesion and reduced “silvering” for UV or eco‑sol printed graphics.

Key Highlights / Bullet Points

Heat-assisted roller up to 60 °C (140 °F) for better film adhesion and minimized silvering
Wide processing width: up to 62.2″ (1,580 mm)
High laminating speed: up to 7,500 mm/min (≈ 295 in/min)
Accommodates film/media thickness up to 35 mm (1.38″)
One-operator friendly: pressure handle, foot pedal, take-up reel design
Compact footprint for its capacity: ~2,000 × 550 × 1,280 mm (W×D×H)
Reliable safety and usability features: photo cell, emergency stop, parallel roller adjustment

Prijsoverzicht

Long Description

A. Key Benefits & Value to Customers

In signage, vehicle wraps, POP displays, and outdoor graphics, lamination does more than just protect — it enhances durability, color stability, and finished appearance. The Mimaki LA‑160W gives you these advantages plus:

Improved adhesion for UV prints: The heat assist (up to 60 °C) helps the overlaminate bond more tightly to UV or UV‑LED cured inks, reducing the risk of delamination or edge lift.
Reduced silvering / whitening: Particularly with pressure-sensitive films, the warming helps eliminate micro air bubbles trapped between film and substrate (the “silvering” effect).
High throughput & productivity: Speeds up to 7.5 m/min let finishing keep pace with production, avoiding bottlenecks.
One-person operation: With intuitive controls, foot pedal, take-up reel, and pressure handles, a single operator can run the machine efficiently.
Flexible material handling: Able to laminate media and films up to 35 mm thick, it can accommodate a wide variety of signage, rigid substrates, or sandwiched graphics.

Because Dimix partners with clients in signage and visual communication, positioning the LA‑160W as both a high-volume and high-quality finishing option will resonate well with your target prospects.

B. Detailed Product Capabilities & Features

Let’s dive deeper into how the LA‑160W performs and what features stand out:

Web Width & Film Compatibility: Supports up to 1,580 mm (62.2″) processing width, making it suitable for large banners, wide prints, and oversized signage.
Roller Mechanics & Pressure: Uses 120 mm diameter rollers; upper roller is heated and lower rubber; the upper roller can be adjusted (raised/lowered) via hand wheel for pressure control.
Heating / Warm Assist Function: The heater can reach up to 60 °C (140 °F). It warms the upper roller to preheat the film before pressure is applied, which improves flow and adhesion.
Speed Control: From zero up to 7,500 mm/min (≈ 295 in/min). However, under 50 Hz power systems, it may be limited to around 6,000 mm/min.
Media / Substrate Thickness: Can process materials (media + films) up to 35 mm (1.38″) thickness.
Core & Shaft Handling: Accepts 3″ core diameter on both film and substrate rolls.
Controls & Usability: The user interface is consolidated on one operation panel; includes a foot pedal switch and pressure handle for ease of control.
Safety & Detection: Equipped with a photo cell — the lamination stops when the beam is blocked. Also includes an emergency stop switch for operator safety.
Take-Up Reel: A built-in take-up reel allows the operator to collect the laminated output roll, simplifying workflow when working alone.
Footprint & Weight: Physical dimensions are approximately 2,000 × 550 × 1,280 mm (78.7″ × 21.7″ × 50.4″), and weight is about 205 kg.
Warm-up Time / Power: Preheating takes ~30 minutes. Power consumption is ≤ 1,800 W.

These capabilities make the LA‑160W a flexible, high-throughput option for a wide range of finishing tasks.

C. Typical Applications & Industries

Because of its size, speed, and heat‑assist design, the LA‑160W is especially well‑suited to:

Signage & Display Graphics: Banners, large posters, backlit displays, retail signage
Vehicle Wraps & Fleet Graphics: Laminate over vehicle films or wrap substrates
POP / POS Displays: Rigid graphics, standees, point-of-sale material
Wall & Floor Graphics: Laminating wide-format prints for architectural graphics
Exhibition & Trade Show Graphics: Backdrops, tension fabric, panels
Outdoor & Exterior Applications: Thanks to enhanced adhesion and protection

Because Dimix focuses on signage and visual communications, this machine is a natural match. Use it to support clients who demand premium finish, durability, and consistency.

D. Unique Selling Points (USPs) & Differentiators

These are the factors you can emphasize in your marketing copy or sales collateral:

Heat-Assisted Technology – Many laminators are cold-only, but the LA‑160W’s warming capability sets it apart for UV prints and challenging substrates.
High Throughput — 7,500 mm/min (or ~295 in/min) is quite aggressive for a laminator in this class.
True One-Operator Workflow — Everything is arranged so a single operator can feed, control, and collect the output.
Built-In Safety & Automation — Photo cell stopping, emergency stop, and safety covers.
Robust Construction — Engineered for industrial finishing workloads, yet designed for intuitive operation.
Seamless Integration with Mimaki Print Ecosystem — Particularly beneficial when used alongside Mimaki’s UV/LED roll-to-roll printers, thanks to matched speeds, warm-assist profiles, and film recommendations.

By highlighting these USPs, Dimix can position the LA‑160W not as a commodity laminator, but as a high-value finishing solution for demanding signage workflows.

E. Maintenance, Ease of Use & Integration

Operational reliability and low downtime are key for customers. Here’s how the LA‑160W fares, and what to emphasize:

Simple Controls: All functions are in one operator panel (heater on/off, jog keys, counter, motor start/stop)
Roller Maintenance: The upper and lower silicon rollers require regular cleaning (use neutral detergent, avoid harsh solvents). After usage, the upper roller should be raised to release pressure and avoid deformation.
Photo Cell & Safety Checks: Weekly checks of the emergency stop switch and photo cell operation are recommended.
Parallelism & Pressure Checks: Users should periodically verify that rollers remain parallel and set correct tension to avoid wrinkling or media meandering.
Installation & Environment: Requires a stable, level floor, minimal vibration, temperature control (20–40 °C recommended), relative humidity 35–65 %.
Power & Preheating: Preheating (~30 minutes) is required before operations that need heat. For cold-only lamination, the heater can be turned off.
Integration with Print Workflow: Because Mimaki prints with instant-dry UV inks, prints can go directly to the LA‑160W with minimal handling delay. The matched speed and warm-assist logic contribute to seamless workflow.

You may also include optional service, spare parts, training packages, or maintenance contracts when selling this machine as part of Dimix’s solution offering.

Data Table

Model	LA‑160W (Heat‑Assist Laminator)
Maximum Processing Width	1,580 mm (62.2″)
Roller Diameter	120 mm (4.72″)
Maximum Media + Film Thickness	35 mm (1.38″)
Heater / Temperature Range	Ambient to 60 °C (140 °F)
Laminating Speed	0 to 7,500 mm/min (~295 in/min)
Core Diameter (Film / Media)	3″ (76 mm)
Power Consumption	≤ 1,800 W
Preheating Time	~30 minutes
Dimensions (W × D × H)	2,000 × 550 × 1,280 mm (78.7″ × 21.7″ × 50.4″)
Weight	~205 kg (451.9 lb)
Safety / Features	Photo cell, emergency stop, parallelity control, foot pedal mode
Compatible Films / Consumables	Mimaki Vision Laminate 310 series (for gloss/UV lamination)

Document

Technical Datasheet

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the LA‑160W support cold (non-heated) lamination?

Yes. Although the LA‑160W is designed with a heating assist up to 60 °C, you can choose to disable or bypass the heater and run the machine purely in cold mode, especially for heat-sensitive media. However, the heat assist gives significant advantages when laminating over UV or pressure-sensitive films, eliminating silvering and improving adhesion.

How long does the machine take to warm up before operation?

Typical warm-up to operating temperature takes about 30 minutes. It’s ideal to start the heating process ahead of planned lamination runs to reduce idle waiting time.

What is the maximum speed, and are there regional limitations?

The LA‑160W is rated up to 7,500 mm/min (≈ 295 in/min) under optimal conditions. However, in regions with 50 Hz power supplies, it’s possible that the machine may be limited to a practical speed of ~6,000 mm/min due to motor or control constraints.

What film thickness / substrate combinations can it handle?

The machine can process combined thickness (film + substrate) up to 35 mm (1.38″). This range covers typical vinyl, wide-format media, sandwich panels, or thick substrates with overlays.

What core sizes are accepted for media and film?

The LA‑160W uses 3″ (76 mm) cores for both media and film rolls.

How do I maintain and clean the rollers and machine?

Turn off power and let rollers cool (ideally < 40 °C).
Clean silicon rollers with a diluted neutral detergent solution; avoid harsh solvents like alcohol, thinner, or gasoline.
Raise the upper roller after each session to relieve pressure and prevent deformation.
Clean regularly (daily for light use; more often for heavy workloads).
Check roller parallelism and tension periodically.
Inspect and test safety mechanisms (photo cell, emergency stop) weekly.

Can a single operator run lamination from start to finish?

Yes — that’s a major design goal. The machine includes intuitive control layout, foot pedal, pressure handle, and a take-up reel so one operator can load, laminate, and collect the output roll.

What safety features are built in?

Safety features include:

Photo cell sensor: When the optical beam is blocked, rollers stop automatically
Emergency stop button: Immediately halts operation
Foot pedal control: Roller motion occurs only when pedal is pressed
Operator panel lock / interlocks in certain configurations

How should the installation environment be prepared?

Install on a stable, level floor with minimal vibration
Maintain ambient temperature 20–40 °C, relative humidity 35–65 %
Avoid direct airflow, drafts, or extreme temperature swings
Ensure power supply matches voltage rating for your region (e.g. 230 V for EU/Asia)
Provide enough clearance around the machine for roll handling and maintenance

How does the LA‑160W integrate in a print-to-finish workflow?

Because Mimaki’s UV/LED roll printers produce instantly dry prints, the LA‑160W can directly accept freshly printed output. The matched speeds, warm-assist profiles, and carefully tuned film recommendations make the hand-off seamless. This reduces handling, improves throughput, and ensures consistency. For Dimix, this is a compelling value proposition: deliver print + finishing as a turnkey solution.

Mimaki LA-160 laminator