By DPS Staff
Graph Expo wrapped up on October 1, 2014, presenting the industry with a lot to consider. Inkjet remained an important focus, but laser/toner-based solutions did not remain idol. Significant announcements from leading vendors indicate a strong future for digital print providers.
This week, we highlight notable announcements from providers of digital printing equipment. We will continue our wrap up in the next couple of weeks with a focused look at finishing, workflow, and media announcements.
Canon
Canon U.S.A., Inc. showcased the recently announced imagePRESS C800 Digital Color Press Series, which incorporates technologies from Canon’s flagship imagePRESS C7011VP/Digital Color Press Series, including Canon’s proprietary Gloss Optimization technology, which tailors the gloss level of the toner image to that of the media used. It also features the Advanced Image Transfer Belt that increases toner transfer efficiency on smooth, as well as uneven, media surfaces, enabling extended media handling capabilities.
Canon’s booth also displayed “The Inkjet Crossroads,” which are designed to inspire conversations about the industry’s direction, challenges, and opportunities in inkjet. Within this section, attendees learned of the latest inkjet technologies available as well as those coming up the pipeline, including the Océ ImageStream 3500, Océ ColorStream 3900, and Niagara printers.
Canon Solutions America, a subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., announced its Performance Challenge. The new, Web-based operational workflow assessment tool was developed in collaboration with InfoTrends. It is designed to help in-plant managers gain insight into how well its current operational processes are performing measured against industry benchmarks and best practices.
Formax
Introduced this April, Formax demonstrated the ColorMaxLP Digital Color Label Printer. Using the latest Memjet inkjet technology, the ColorMaxLP produces full-color labels at speeds up to 60 feet per minute in a compact tabletop unit.
Fujifilm
In addition to its workflow offerings, which we discuss later in the series, Fujifilm North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division, discussed recent advancements in production inkjet, including samples from the J Press series; wide format innovations including advancements to the Acuity LED 1600 to the Inca Onset line-up; and label samples from the hybrid UV inkjet press, Graphium.
Hewlett-Packard
HP exhibited the HP Indigo 7800 and 30000 Digital Presses as well as new services for the first time in the U.S.
HP Service Advantage is an integrated services portfolio enabling predictable printing operations and optimized cost structure. HP Service Advantage includes two new service technologies, HP Predictive Press Care and HP Visual RemoteGuidance, in addition to two established technologies, HP Print Care and HP Smart Uptime Kit.
HP Predictive Press Care technology minimizes unplanned downtime with early, information-rich alerts, flagging upcoming press issues for preemptive repairs and maintenance. Enabling press operators to resolve issues faster, HP Visual Remote Guidance provides real-time audio and visually guided support from a remote engineer using wearable technology.
Recognizing the growing worldwide adoption of HP Inkjet Web Press solutions, HP is working with Dscoop to build a high-value community of HP Inkjet Web Press customers. The two organizations announced the first annual HP Inkjet Innovation Summit, which takes place at DscoopX.
KBA North America
KBA North America unveiled the newest RotaJET L series inkjet press. The new, high-volume, ultra-flexible modular press platform was introduced at the show. Ideal for segments such as book publishing, direct mail, magazines, newspapers, packaging, and industrial inkjet applications, the RotaJet can be optimally configured to suit the respective market and industry environment due to its modular design that can be retrofitted with future printhead generations.
The KBA digital press series includes five RotaJET printing systems that handles web widths ranging 35.2 to 51.1 inches.
Kodak
Kodak presented virtual demonstrations of the Kodak Prosper 6000 and the Kodak Prosper S-Series inkjet presses as well as featured application samples and demonstrations of Kodak NexPress Digital Production Color Press Platform improvements, including one-meter sheet length and Dura Coat Mode feature enhancements.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
Under its theme, “The Winner’s Circle,” Konica Minolta featured a range of new technologies at the show.
Attendees could see the recently introduced bizhub PRESS C1100 color digital press, ideal for commercial printers and in-plant print providers. The device boasts up to 100 pages per minute.
Additionally, the bizhub Press 2250P was displayed, which builds on the successful technology of the buzhub PRESS 1250 series and includes LED imagining and Simitri HD toner for true 1,200×1,200 dpi.
In addition to its own solutions, the company demonstrated the benefits of its partnership with 3D Systems. Konica Minolta sells, supports, and services 3D printing technology through its U.S. channels.
The company also revealed exclusive technology in partnership with MGI Digital Graphic Technology, the JET Varnish 3DS digital spot UV3D coater, which is available across North America.
Another partner announcement involves a relationship with iSys Label’s North American Distributor, IntoPrint Technologies. Under the agreement, Konica Minolta will add the IntoPrint EDGE 850 and IntoPrint Eclipse LF3 to its product portfolio, starting in North America with plans to expand globally.
MGI Digital Graphic Technology
MGI launched and previewed several new digital solutions, including the Metero DP8700XL+ and the DP1000 XL.
The launch of the Meteor DP8700XL+ represents the fifth generation of the Meteor Series digital press. Featuring a format size of up to 47 inches long, the solution offers the ability to print substrate thickness ranging up to 16 pt. board and 450 Microns on plastic substrates.
The company also introduced the DP1000 XL. A new high-production Meteor digital press, the Meteor DP1000 XL, was previewed for the first time ever Graph Expo. This new machine, which will be available sometime in 2015, prints 100 A4 pages per minute in thicknesses of up to 16 pt. board.
OKI Data Americas
OKI Data Americas introduced the C711DW, a high quality, digital color label printer that features a finishing system. The C711DW together with the HS711DLF create full-color finished labels on demand, incorporating digital die cutting and film lamination to deliver a complete solution. The C711DW utilizes OKI label management software from Hybrid Software as a front-end solution, plus a Proactive server and Harlequin RIP.
The company also displayed solutions that make up its Multimedia Production platform, introduced in early September. The series of A3 color devices offer advanced media handling to accommodate transparent media, magnets, banners, and heavyweight cardstock within a single, compact unit. On the show floor, the company offered the C941dn and C931dn.
Ricoh
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. The RICOH Pro VC60000 is capable of producing more than 100,000 letter images per hour.
Additionally, the company highlighted the Ricoh Pro C7100X series, which is latest production cutsheet device family, It offers a fifth color station featuring white or clear toner. The C7110X prints at 90 pages per minute (ppm).
The company also featured the Ricoh Pro C9100 series, which boasts speeds of up to 100 and 130 ppm and offers the ability to print on media up to 400 gsm.
Xeikon NV
Xeikon showcased a range of technologies and innovations. The company highlighted demonstrations of its “Suites,” which provide appropriate print media, software, workflow solutions, consumables, and pre and post print equipment, in addition to Xeikon digital printing technology for a true end-to-end printing solution.
Xerox Corporation
Making its North American debut at Graph Expo, the Xerox Impika eVolution is designed to provide flexibility and scalability to digital print environment. eVolution offers print service providers another way to capitalize and maximize inkjet’s business growth potential.
Flexible enough to handle both plain papers and high-quality, inkjet-treated stocks, the drop on demand piezoelectric production inkjet device runs at speeds up to 832 feet-per-minute/3,628 pages per-minute. It offers roll-fed, continuous-feed capabilities with a 20-inch web width.
Digital Print Innovation
The above only represents a few of the innovations announced on the show floor. Stay tuned as we bring you highlights from finishing, workflow, and media/substrates as we continue this segmented wrap up of Graph Expo 2014. Look for additional show coverage in the November/December issue. dps
Oct2014, DPS Magazine
