By Olivia Cahoon
Part two of two
Digital duplicators serve a unique niche in the print space. They offer cost-effective, short runs of static print and are popularly used for education, churches, and non-profits. Digital duplicators are designed for high-volume print jobs, generally 20 copies or more. Most devices scan the original print and transfer it to a master template via thermal imaging. Digital duplicators produce up to speeds of 45 to 180 pages per minute (ppm). In this article, we provide a roundup of digital duplicators in the market.
Duplo
Duplo’s digital duplicators have been in the market since 1966. The company’s digital duplicators range from $1,995 to $19,995 for basic entry level table top duplicators. Their devices have a monthly volume of two to three million sheets per month and handle text, photo, and pencil image mode applications. “Digital duplicators are very easy to use from programming a job on the control panel to replacing ink cartridges and master rolls,” says Kevin Chen, product manager, Duplo.
Duplo’s maximum legal size is 8.5×14 inches. With an optional USB interface, users adjust image quality and send two-color jobs directly to the duplicator from a computer. Chen explains, “on Duplo’s higher end duplicators, there is a 15-step paper separation adjustment for improved feeding.” The paper stacker tray also has a fan for neat and consistent sheet stacks.
Duplo digital duplicators have a dpi resolution of 300×600 and feature full-color touch screen panels, four-way image adjustments, a flatbed scanner, and a master and ink gauge. “The digital duplicator’s simple design makes it easy for anyone to operate,” says Chen.
“If you are looking for a digital duplicator, Duplo has a lot of experience in this field. We offer a wide variety of models from entry level tabletop duplicators to high end top of the line duplicators with a speed up to 150 ppm,” he adds.
Ricoh
Ricoh features several digital duplicators for high-speed single-color printing. The Ricoh DD 5450 digital duplicator reproduces high-volume documents at 150 ppm for up to 1,500 sheets without stopping to reload or restack. With up to 600 dpi, the duplicator handles media at a maximum 11×17 inches on paper stock as heavy as 110 lbs. The device has a color touchscreen for set up including darkness levels, paper sizes, and USB capabilities.
The Ricoh DD3334 is an affordable duplication with prints up to 130 ppm and a resolution of 300×400 dpi. The device’s monthly print volume maximum is 100,000 pages and has an 11×17-inch large platen that handles up to 12.5 lb bond and 110 lb index with print documents up to 8.3×14 inches. The digital duplicator also has 11 color inks and an optional 100-sheet automatic reverse document feeder for two-sided copies.
The DD6650P handles the highest maximum monthly print volume—up to 250,000 pages at 135 ppm and a resolution of 600×600 dpi. It has a 1,000-sheet standard paper capacity and produces single-color page printing with a paper clamping system for ink registration and half tones.
RISO
RISO offers digital duplicators for production, two-color, and one-color projects. Their devices are designed to handle lengths that are too long for copiers or laser printers and too short for offset printers. RISO’s digital duplicators are used for several copying processes including brochures, direct mail, forms, letterheads, newsletters, and user guides. “All of RISO’s digital duplicators are energy efficient, running on a fraction of the power of other systems,” says Kristina Donehew-Tamilio, marketing manager, RISO.
RISO’s MZ1090 two-color, single-pass digital duplicator delivers at speeds up to 150 ppm from a USB flash drive. It’s drum-to-drum motion controls and printer drive algorithms are designed to deliver smooth ink transfer and image quality. Pages are rotated at 180 degrees by the click of a button to reverse the lead-edge for jobs with high-density coverage. The device is an energy star qualified printer with over 70 soy-based ink colors, natural fiber masters, and a mercury-free LCD panel display.
Launched in January 2015, the SE9480 digital duplicator prints up to 185 ppm with true 600 dpi. It has a large touchscreen display for editing documents and is compatible with a USB. It’s plug and print capability automatically prints multiple saved jobs from USB flash drives without additional intervention. The SE9480 features the Thompson T-100D envelope feeder and T0299 exit conveyor for continuous load and unload capacity for envelopes from 3×5 inches to 6.5×13 inches.
RISO has developed a new ink formulation out of rice bran with the launch of the SF Series digital duplicators. “This more ecologically responsible material allows more soybeans to be processed as a food source,” says Donehew-Tamilio.
Standard Finishing Systems
Standard Finishing Systems has a line of digital duplicators—the SD375, SD440, and SD710. Jack Mathews, product specialist, Standard Finishing Systems, says that all three devices are priced competitively and represent great value. “Standard has maintained a presence in the duplicator market since the beginning, our customers know they are getting a top-quality machine when they work with us,” he adds.
The SD375 is for 8.5×11-inch applications. Its features include glass platen, energy savings mode, and high-speed copying. It’s used with a rugged platen cover or an automatic document feeder. The digital duplicator handles stocks like carbonless papers, envelopes, recycled papers, and traditional copy papers in black, red, blue, and green.
For 11×17-inch format printing, Standard Finishing Systems offers the SD440 with economy quality. It has energy saving performance, an LCD control panel, and produces up to 130 ppm. It’s image quality is 400×600 dpi and requires minimal training.
Duplo’s highest quality option, the SD710, offers offset-like print quality and is ideal for high-quality documents in different colors, paper stocks, and sizes. It has an impression cylinder with a built-in gripper and handles print volumes up to 600,000 images per month. The SD710 has the option to include a 3,000-sheet feed stacking device and two-color in one-pass printer.
Mathews says Standard Finishing Systems’ digital duplicators are used primarily in churches, schools, and organizations that have a need for a machine with more productivity and efficiency than a copier. “Our digital duplicators stand out not only for the low cost of ownership and use, but also for their unparalleled reliability,” says Mathews.
Digital Duplicators
Digital duplicators give organizations the ability to recreate short runs of static print while still remaining effective. As these devices deliver at faster speeds and higher-quality, the benefits to customers is exponential. DPS
Jan2017, DPS Magazine
