Tomorrow’s Digital Printers Debut at On Demand

IT MAY not be a new topic, but on-demand printing can still pack a room—or a trade show floor, as was the case at the recent AIIM On Demand Conference and Exposition.

More than 20,000 visitors from 50 states and 62 countries traveled to Philadelphia in May for the annual event. Waiting to greet them were some 450 exhibitors, all displaying their latest wares.

Despite the show’s successful two-year run in Philadelphia, though, the city will not be hosting next year’s event (and no, the annoying cab strike on the first day had nothing to do with it). Questex Media Group, the show’s organizer, is moving it to the Boston Convention & Exposition Center next year, the third venue in four years for what is fast becoming a traveling show. Questex says the show’s “explosive growth” required it to move to the larger Boston facility (though attendance was higher last year—21,000—and higher still in New York in 2004—25,900; but we won’t quibble—especially not those of us who wouldn’t mind getting out of Philadelphia for a change).

The hallways and exhibit areas of the Pennsylvania Convention Center were generally busy throughout the three-day show, and many in-plant managers were spotted in the crowd. The conference program featured several notable keynote speakers, including Bruce Chizen, CEO of Adobe Systems, Dave Girouard, general manager of Google Enterprise, John Seely Brown, former chief scientist at Xerox, and Charles A. Pesko, Jr., managing director of InfoTrends.

Numerous New Digital Devices

There was a noticeable up-tick in the new digital print products at the show, resulting in further segmentation of the market. A surprising number of the systems highlighted, however, will not be available until later in the year.

One of the most notable digital devices introduced was Océ North America’s Vario­Print 6250 duplex cut-sheet printer, winner of the On Demand Best of Show Award in this category, as judged by BERTL, an independent research firm. The 6250 features single-pass Océ Gemini Instant Duplex technology, which presses toner images onto both sides of a page simultaneously without turning the paper. This, combined with a fusing temperature lower than that of competitive electro-photographic methods reduces stress on paper, minimizes curl and lessens the risk of paper jams. It prints 250 letter-size duplex prints per minute with a standard resolution of 1,200x600 dpi and a halftone resolution of 141 lines per inch. The 6250 uses Advanced Active Registration technology, employing a sensor-controlled system to ensure near-perfect sheet position.

Also new from Océ was the Vario-Stream 9230 continuous printer. It supports 3/3 printing of “Job Appropriate Color” at 231 impressions per minute with a 600-dpi resolution. Using Océ CustomTone technology, users can print black and two highlight colors on each side of a page.

For Corporate Shops

Canon U.S.A. used the show as a platform to debut a 51-ppm color device, the imageRUNNER C5180, targeted to corporate environments. It uses Canon’s color imagePlatform system architecture, imageCHIP (Concurrent Hyper Intelligent Platform), which helps to simultaneously process documents that are scanned, copied or printed.

The C5180 comes with an automatic document feeder, which can handle multi-page originals at 70 images per minute for color and black-and-white, Color Universal Send for scanning and sending documents directly from the device, and new four-beam laser scanner technology to deliver up to 1,200x1,200-dpi resolution. Based on four-drum technology, the Color imageRUNNER C5180 operates up to 51-ppm for both black-and-white and color.

Canon also again previewed its now-named new production color systems—imagePRESS C1 (color: 14 ppm; black-and-white: 60 ppm) and imagePRESS C7000VP (70 ppm for both, regardless of media weight or coverage). Using new Canon toner technology (which couples finer grain toner with the elimination of fusing oil), the C7000VP will print consistent color at resolutions up to 1,200 dpi. These machines should be available in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Canon also introduced four wide-format imagePROGRAF printers, ranging from 17˝ to 60˝ wide.

Xerox launched the DocuColor 5000 at On Demand. Outputting 50 ppm, it is designed for in-plants that average between 30,000 and 150,000 impressions per month. It features a 2,400-dpi resolution, tight registration and can be configured with optional finishing equipment, including a high-capacity stacker and a stacker/stapler. It uses a 32-beam laser, which allows the press to scan more data faster and at a higher resolution. This press can be driven by the Xerox FreeFlow DocuSP color server or front ends from Creo PODS and EFI.

Xerox also introduced three multi­function devices, the WorkCentre 7655, 7665 and 7132, all equippmed with Xerox Standard Accounting software to help users monitor, track and manage color jobs.

Next-generation Toner

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. introduced the bizhub PRO C6500 color system, which outputs 65 ppm utilizing next generation Simitri-HD polymerized toner. The combination of a smaller toner particle size and oil-free fusing at a lower temperature is said to improve image quality while reducing toner and energy consumption. Also new was the bizhub PRO 1050, a 105-ppm device with a perfect binder. It boasts precise registration accuracy and air-assist paper feeding for handling coated stock. It also uses Simitri polymerized toner.

Ricoh Corp. introduced a number of products, including the HQ9000 Priport digital duplicator as a replacement for the JP8500. The new machine prints 135 ppm at 600 dpi using fast-drying “HQ ink” chemistry that is said to reduce roller marks, prevent set-off and eliminate the wait time between passes.

Ricoh also launched three multifunction devices, including the new Aficio MP1350, a 135-ppm MFD. It can scan color images quickly and then e-mail or forward them to an FTP site. It has a multi-feed detection system and can handle any kind of paper up to 80-lb. cover.

All three of the workgroup systems introduced by Sharp Document Solutions output color at 41 ppm and print in black-and-white at model-specific speeds—MX-5500N (55 ppm), MX-6200N (62 ppm) and MX-7000N (70 ppm). Color output is 41 ppm on all models. Options include a Fiery controller and various finishing systems, including an inserter, stapler, hole punch and saddle-stitch unit. Sharp also introduced four color MFPs with speeds ranging from 23 to 45 ppm.

Hewlett-Packard showed its HP Indigo 5000, the first press co-developed by HP and the former Indigo organization. The four-color digital press with seven-color capability can produce up to 4,000 full-color pages per hour. Enhancements to the 5000 now enable it to print monochrome pages at 272 ppm.

Other new features include HP Professional Pantone technology and a higher capacity proof tray. Liquid HP ElectroInk allows resolutions up to 812x812 dpi and line screens up to 230 lines per inch.

Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of its introduction of VaryPress magnetography technology for monochrome digital web printing, Nipson Digital Printing Systems announced an intention to offer a 500-fpm model, the VaryPress 500, beginning in 2007. At the show, the 415-fpm VaryPress 400 was shown.

Similarly, Delphax Technologies made public its plan to upgrade the rated speed of its CR2000 roll-fed, monochrome, electron-beam printer to 500 fpm in early 2007. The printer provides 600x600-dpi print quality and can handle a versatile range of stocks thanks to its tight web design and vaiable speed control.

Screen (USA) demonstrated its Truepress Jet 520 color press, a continuous-feed ink-jet printer using Piezo drop-on-demand technology and water-based pigment inks. It prints at 420 ppm with 2-bit imaging for each color to create the appearance of higher-resolution printing. A built-in quality-control scanner ensures consistent image reproduction. Commercial sales are expected to begin in October.

Screen also showed its TruePress 344 digital offset press, which reaches speeds of 7,000 sheets per hour and images processless plates on the press.

Communications Color

RISO is targeting what it sees as an emerging market for “communications color,” which includes four-color printing with an emphasis on function at a lower cost. Its new HC5500 ComColor ink-jet printer outputs 120 ppm (letter size) in color (at about three cents per page) and prints up to 11x17˝ paper. Thick stocks and envelopes are no problem with this machine, which can handle up to 80-lb. cover stock. New security features have also been added. The machine is expected to be available in August.

Standard Duplicating Machines introduced the SD700 at On Demand, a 600-dpi duplicator that incorporates highly-refined micro-porous inks and masters. As a result of this new composite material technology, there are fewer fiber strands through the image area that can reduce the flow of ink, providing excellent solid fill with virtually no ink set-off. The SD700 also has a full-sized impression cylinder complete with a paper gripper. It can print on a variety of stocks in sizes up to 11x17˝ including envelopes, carbonless and card stocks.

Color in the corporate world could get a big boost from IBM’s proposal to entirely open up the development of its AFP (Advanced Function Presentation) architecture. The move has to be approved by the members of the AFP Color Consortium, which has been working to develop an open color standard for the architecture. At On Demand, IBM showed its Infoprint 4100 Advanced Function Printing System, printing 1,440 two-up duplex letter impressions per minute, with 600-dpi resolutions.

“TransPromo” seems to be catching on as a new industry term for the intersection of transactional and promotional communications.

Punch Graphix has targeted this market with the introduction of its Xeikon IPDS Controller for incorporating color and personalized content into transactional documents. The controller is designed to integrate with the Xeikon X-800 front end to drive the Xeikon 5000 digital color press. The web-fed Xeikon 5000 reaches speeds of 7,800 full-color pages per hour (130 ppm). It has an inline densitometer, and press registration and calibration are automated.

Kodak also used the “Trans­Promo” term to tout its new 250-fpm Versamark VT3000, which can output 1,090 impressions a minute. It is an entry-level device designed to let in-plants get started blending their transactional and promotional printing. It uses water-based inks. Finishing options include roll-to-roll, perforating, punching, fanfold, cut sheet, slit/merge/stack and more. IPG

Helping You Develop New Business

Beyond the new product introductions, the other trend among digital press exhibitors at On Demand was a continuing pursuit of ways to help existing users build volumes.

Hewlett-Packard is offering a series of new customer-oriented programs. Its business development program includes pre-sales consultancy and ROI tools, a personalized resource portal, education programs and more. The digital press implementation and ramp-up program combines classroom courses with a series of on-site and remote hands-on training sessions. Instant support provides remote monitoring and predictive maintenance capability.

Kodak expanded its Market­Mover business development services at On Demand. These provide tools, training and support for owners of Kodak NexPress, Digimaster and Directpress DI presses. Along with getting access to prepared material, program professionals work directly with customers in developing marketing plans and sales programs. The company also rolled out version 2.0 of its TeamWorks online collaboration software and demonstrated the ability of Prinergy 3.1 to drive a Kodak Nexpress in a unified offset/digital workflow.

Xerox added three kits to its ProfitAccelerator Digital Business Resources, a collection of 40+ tools, programs and services to help printers grow their digital print businesses. The new kits are the Profit­Accelerator Kit for In-plants (detailed on page 5 of our June issue), the ProfitAccelerator Individualized Media Tool Kit (guides and tips to promote personalization) and the ProfitAccelerator Vertical Market Kit II (to help develop new customers in 10 additional markets).