By DPS Staff
Themed Integrate, Graph Expo 14 took place from September 28 to October 1, 2014 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. The show featured the latest technologies from more than 440 exhibitors targeting 12 major graphic communications industry segments. For the second year, the show co-hosted the CPP EXPO, which serves package printers and converters.
In addition to exhibitor booths, the expo focused on industry education, featuring a variety of floor pavilions and specialty sections, five learning theaters, and three “Ask the Expert” stations.
On the exhibit floor, the influence of digital print is a continued reminder of the industry’s evolution. Vendors showcased digital solutions from printing and finishing hardware to software and media.
On the Floor
Graph Expo aisles showcased innovations from leading digital print manufacturers, showcasing and previewing the latest in electrophotographic (EP)/toner and inkjet equipment.
Of note, Canon highlighted the recently announced imagePRESS C800 Digital Color Press Series, which incorporates technologies from the company’s flagship imagePRESS C7011VP digital color press.
KBA North America unveiled the newest RotaJET L series inkjet press, a high-volume, modular press platform.
Attendees saw the recently introduced Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. bizhub PRESS C1100 color digital press, ideal for commercial printers and in-plant print providers. The device boasts up to 100 pages per minute (ppm).
Ricoh introduced several exciting new technologies, including the expansion of its inkjet line with the Ricoh Pro VC60000. The system, coupled with Ricoh’s software offerings, enables a more rapid shift form offset to digital.
Additionally, the company highlighted the Ricoh Pro C7100X series, which offers a fifth color station featuring white or clear toner. The C7110X prints at 90 ppm.
Xerox unveiled the Impika eVolution, a drop on demand piezoelectric production inkjet device that runs at speeds of up to 832 feet per minute.
Finishing highlights included the Duplo DC-616 PRO Slitter/Cutter/Creaser, Highcon Euclid II and II+, Lasermax Roll System’s name change to Tecnau, the MBO M80 Folder, MBM Corp.’s icrease series, RISO’s Print to Mail Solution, Rollem’s Delta Die Cutter, Scodix Ultra Pro, Standard Finishing Systems’ new Horizon Rotary Die Cutters, and Therm-O-Type’s RAS-mc right angle slitter.
Additionally, software solutions and workflow tools push innovation from digital print environments. Many software releases and upgrades were demonstrated on the show floor, including EFI’s Fiery Color Profiler Suite, version 4.6; and Fujifilm’s XMF Workflow version 6.1.
More With Digital
In addition to hardware and software updates and introductions, the overall theme was presenting more opportunity with product versatility and the tools to enable a complete, end-to-end workflow. dps
Nov2014, DPS Magazine
