DIGITAL digest
Xerox Sees Future In Black-and-White
ROCHESTER, NY—Based on its market analysis, Xerox Corp. believes there is $18 billion in annual print sales worldwide that potentially could migrate from offset to digital production. The nature of the applications, substrates used and other job requirements make this work suited to digital production, asserts Valerie Blauvelt, vice president of integrated marketing. "Our goal is to capture 10 percent of that opportunity."
Xerox has identified a "mid production" market and technology category that fills a gap in price, performance and capability, adds Mark Waxenberg, vice president and general manager, Production Solutions Business Unit. In response, the company has introduced the Xerox DocuTech 100/120 copier/printer family.
This new product introduction represents a $400 million investment in building a "new technology platform" from the ground up, Waxenberg reports. Image quality, scanning functionality and substrate flexibility are key differentiators of the platform, he says.
The devices are said to achieve a print resolution of 4,800x600 dpi in part through the use of a "toner cloud and trickle development" system that suspends uniformly sized toner particles in mid air while the photoreceptor is passed through it. Additionally, the "active air detoning cleaner" Xerox developed for the iGen3 has been adapted for use in these units. Other quality assurance features include an ultrasonic multi-feed sheet detector and wide-radius turns in the paper path to avoid scuffing and scratching, as well as support of heavier stocks.
Two Scan or Not to Scan
Hardcopy originals can be scanned at a rate of 120 81⁄2x11˝ images—not pages—per minute. That distinction is important because the unit is designed with dual scan heads (top and bottom) to capture a double-sided original in a single pass, but at an effective rate of 60 pages per minute. The scanner offers a 600x600 dpi optical resolution over a maximum 12x18˝ scan size.
As their names indicate, the DocuTech 100 and 120 produce 100 and 120 images (8.5x11˝) per minute, respectively. Each feed module (one comes standard, a second is optional) includes four trays for a total capacity of 5,800 sheets (20 lb. bond/75 gsm). An air shuttle feed system aids the smooth handling of material sizes from 5.5x8.5˝ to 12.2x18.5˝ and weights from 16-lb. bond to 80-lb. cover (56-216 gsm).
The new platform is also the first truly integrated copier/printer, asserts Jerry Murray, vice president of product marketing. A single, integrated DocuSP controller drives both functions, which shortens the operator learning curve and reduces the need for service calls, he claims. A built-in CD-RW/ DVD-ROM enables jobs to be input from a disk and/or archived to CD-R.
At the back-end, in-line finishing options include a 2,000-sheet stacker, folder (C- or Z-type and booklet/bi-fold) and dual-staple booklet maker. Throughout the system, critical components are built into pull-out drawers for easier servicing and replacement.
Xerox is positioning the product family as suitable for enterprise (corporate) and graphic arts (print-for-pay) customers with appropriate job volume and complexity demands. The initial versions, for example, support simple variable data imaging and offer basic finishing capabilities. More complex and specialized capabilities reportedly will be offered in future versions of the product.
On another marketing front, Xerox says it is reenergizing the effort to build its Premier Partners Program. The stated goal is to re-create the network of print-for-pay providers into the true "best of the best" in digital printing. The company hopes to double the number of U.S. printers participating in the program, up from the more than 90 members currently signed up in the U.S. and Canada.
The program is also being expanded through the introduction of a "public portal" accessible from the Xerox corporate Website. The private portal for members is slated to be revised in the second quarter of 2004, bringing the capability for two-way communications and the introduction of localized content in local languages. (www.xerox.com)
Digital Bytes
MINNEAPOLIS—Reflections Printing has completed its installation of a CTP system, including a fully automatic Fujifilm Saber Luxel VX 9600 violet platesetter and FinalProof digital halftone proofer. The company also installed a Nexus workflow system from Artwork Systems to drive the devices. (www.fujifilm.com)
VANCOUVER, BC/ROCHESTER, NY—Creo Inc. and Xerox Corp. announced they have entered into an agreement under which Creo will resell Xerox's mid-range and entry-level production color digital presses in the United States and Canada. The agreement specifically encompasses the DocuColor 3535, 5252 and 6060 digital color presses. In addition, Creo will work with Xerox's direct sales force to identify sales opportunities for the DocuColor iGen3 production press, while Xerox will continue to sell the Creo Spire color server as part of its digital print portfolio. The companies say they also plan to cooperate on the development of workflow software. (www.creo.com/www.xerox.com)
KENNESAW, GA—Heidelberg reports Sir Speedy has completed installation of a NexPress 2100 digital color press at its research and development facility, Digital Quickcolor. The system is being used to produce materials for franchisees and customers nationwide. (www.sirspeedy.com/www.heidelberg.com)
HANOVER PARK, IL—Enovation Graphic Systems is working in partnership with Integrated Color Solutions (ICS) to provide color-accurate soft and hard copy remote proofing. Their solution combines Fujifilm's new PictroProof II digital color proofer with ICS's Remote Director display-based, collaborative proofing system. Both are SWOP certified. (www.fujifilm.com/www.icscolor.com)
TRENTON, NJ—Having its existing equipment fried by an electrical surge spurred Trenton Printing to invest in a new, all-digital workflow. The company opted to install a Presstek Dimension 800 CTP system driven by an Artwork Systems front end. (www.trentonprinting.com)
VALHALLA, NY—Enovation Graphic Systems, a Fujifilm company, announced a new reseller agreement with Xerox Corp. that expands its rights to sell Xerox production color digital presses. The dealer organization also will offer the full range of Electronics For Imaging's Fiery server lineup. Enovation will sell the DocuColor 3535, 2045, 5252 and 6060 digital color presses. (www.enovationgraphics.com/www.xerox.com/www.efi.com)
CHARLOTTETOWN, CANADA— "CTP Plate Making: Understanding the Real Costs" is the title of a new white paper available from J Zarwan Partners. Key findings of the research reveal that chemistry can account for as much as 30 percent of the price of the plate, with additional hidden costs potentially bringing the total even higher, asserts John Zarwan, founder of the research firm. The white paper examines the cost of plates and processing from leading CTP vendors, including Agfa, Fujifilm, KPG, Presstek and Lastra. J Zarwan Partners spoke with 63 printers of various sizes that employ products from all of the major manufacturers and process types. (www.johnzarwan.com)
SAN JOSE, CA—Adobe Systems announced it has no plans to introduce an OSX version of PageMaker and instead has launched a campaign to convert the installed base to InDesign users. To that end, it has released InDesign CS PageMaker Edition, which includes a full version of the application along with a PageMaker Plug-in Pack, templates and training materials to help users make the transition.
PageMaker Plug-in Pack reportedly enables the application's Story Editor and Control Palette functions to be carried over to InDesign. The ALAP InBooklet plug-in also has been ported over to provide basic imposition capabilities. The software pack can be purchased as a standalone product and will be bundled with the Adobe Create Suite line. (www.adobe.com)
MINNEAPOLIS—CGS Publishing Technologies International reports signing an agreement with KBA North America that enables its ORIS Works workflow system to be offered as a front end to the 74 Karat digital offset press. The workflow package can be enhanced with ORIS PDF Tuner, for late-stage editing and correction of jobs files, and ORIS Color Tuner, for ink-jet proofing. The 74 Karat is an all-digital sheetfed offset press that supports a page size of up to 20.5x29˝. (www.kba-print.com/www.cgsusa.com)
