SV0222-26 DLP Printer

Unicor is looking to procure: One (1) digital license plate printer. The Contractor shall supply a digital license plate printing system consisting of a printer that will either use inkjet technology to print process color UV-curable polymer ink direct to rolls of reflective license plate sheeting or thermal transfer ribbon printing technology. This printer shall be capable of printing the license plate image using the four (4) primary printing ink colors cyan, magenta, yellow & black, along with additional functionality for customizable color. The printer should be capable of printing the license plate images in a continuous indexing print queue. The printer will not be connected to agency network. The printer shall accommodate license plate sheeting substrates wound on and dispensed from a supply roll and shall be capable of accurately printing: 􀁸 Full color license plate graphics at fixed intervals on blank (unprinted) sheeting. o High contrast cue marks may be printed as part of the graphic for further processing downstream in a license plate blanking line; and 􀁸 Full color license plate graphics registered to pre-printed cue marks; and 􀁸 Variable data registered to pre-printed cue marks on preprinted sheeting. The printer shall accommodate rolls of reflective license plate sheeting wound on diameter cores. The roll of sheeting will be loaded onto a supply spindle with may include an air-actuated expansion mandrel to secure the roll. The printed roll will be automatically rewound onto a core installed on a take-up spindle with an air-actuated expansion mandrel. The printer should contain a connection for compressed air if required to operate these mandrels. The printer may contain a splice table with pneumatically actuated hold-down clamps for fast roll changes, reduced downtime and minimal material waste. Software included with this system shall provide image processing, color management, and related graphics functions. The software platform will also include a printer management module, providing printer setup, calibration, maintenance functionality, and the capability to integrate variable data on fixed plate backgrounds to change serial numbers, font, etc. The software modules to be supplied will also provide the following: 􀁸 Database Software o Allows for storage of data related plates printed, print jobs in progress, current status, shipping, and orders o Feeds variable data to fields in the license plate template. o Captures license plate data and content during the production process. 􀁸 Data Integration Software o Utilize printing templates with fields defined in the database. o Build a run list comprising entire print jobs printed by the system. 􀁸 RIP Software o Provides automated utilities to receive and process order files or run list files 􀁸 Print Management Software o Print manager that sends the print jobs to the printer. o Allows operators to manage and monitor print jobs, get printer status, control printer functions and complete printer maintenance tasks. o Windows-based User Interface. All console software (where a user must be logged in) must be configured and tested for functionality with nonelevated privileges. The software must function without local or network administrator permission unless it runs as a Windows service. All software should be compatible with the Windows 11 Professional/Enterprise desktop operating system. All software must function in a “closed” network environment, with no permanent external connectivity required for licensing activation, software functionality, or software updates. The potential vendor should advise of their capabilities to provide randomized plate number generation and management. Specifically noting the following: 􀁸 A randomly generated seven-character format of 1 number followed by 2 letters and 4 numbers. For example, 1AE5634, 9BK7812 etc. Duplicate prevention 􀁸 The system should include functionality to identify potential duplicates prior to printing to prevent duplication across all license plates produced by the system. External system data synchronization 􀁸 The vendor should provide a solution from file/data transfer for synchronization with an external system. This could be done via APIs and/or file exports with batch synchronization. o The potential vendor should provide information on both capabilities, as the current system is not planned for any external connectivity, and thus batch synchronization may be the only option. The printer should be capable of printing a combination of background graphics and variable data, in any order, on demand in process color. This capability shall include the printing of variable license plate content: license plate images, text, and barcodes. Print jobs shall be initiated from the print management component of the software including automated processes and manual print jobs. The print management software will allow users to build, process and manage license plate print jobs as well