　　Although its team first came together in 1998 to produce a prototype flatbed machine, Inca Digital did not formally launch as a company until 2000, with its first high-end flatbed machine released into the worldwide market in 2001.
　　The Cambridge manufacturer’s Spyder 320 was introduced in 2005, its first foray into the competitive mid-range market; it was a sector that Inca had previously overlooked. The 320 was targeted at users with high quality specifications, needing crisp text and good throughput, according to Inca group marketing director Tudor Morgan.
　　Based on the Spyder 150 technology, the 320 offered a larger bed, greater ink set options and the ability to handle satin as well as gloss substrates. Although the machine faced competition from rivals such as the Vutek QS3200, the Durst Rho 800 and the Gandi 3150, according to Inca its introduction had a phenomenal impact on the market. By 2006, demand for the product was such that manufacturing grew from six to 10 Spyders a month at the Cambridge site.
　　New models
　　Designed as a four-colour wide-format inkjet press, the 320’s capabilities have expanded considerably since its introduction. It is now available with white, light cyan, light magenta, orange and violet in six- and eight-colour models. In 2007, a smaller drop printhead was introduced allowing for finer resolution thanks to a 10-picolitre drop compared to the 320’s original 28-picolitre drop size. Launched in 2007, the Spyder 320 Q was aimed at the high-end graphics as well as art and photographic markets.
　　Other models in the 320 range included the e model; a four-colour low-cost option introduced in 2006. There are break points in the modifications according to Morgan. The Spyder 320 range is modular, he says. Therefore most customers can upgrade to a higher specification if desired to add or change colours. But early machines can’t be upgraded to the latest specifications.
　　Based on piezo drop-on-demand inkjet technology, each printer contains between eight and 32 printheads, depending on the model. The technology works by voltage being applied to the piezo crystal within the printhead, which changes its shape, squeezing the chamber to create an ink drop that is pushed out from the nozzle onto the substrate.
　　The UV ink is then cured using UV lamps, making the substrate dry and ready for future processing or packing.
　　New machines are distributed by partner Fujifilm Sericol, secondhand sales are usually done printer to printer, but according to Morgan, Inca will need to decommission and re-install the machine.
　　Many customers are still holding on to their original Spyder 320 printers because the speed and quality is still competitive with new printers around today, says Morgan.
　　You should expect to buy or sell the Spyder 320 for up to £75,000 depending on the machine’s condition, age, model and condition. Inca can give an additional quote for the cost of installation, servicing and support contracts.
　　Ask the manufacturer to do a service history audit on your behalf. Inca Digital can also provide data on servicing and callouts on the machine. Printheads are critical to performance so they will be key to any decision, says Morgan.