Fujifilm Debuts Redesigned Chicago Technology Center

Currently featuring the theme, “City of Chicago,” the Chicago Technology Center demonstrates and supports the company’s leadership role in digital and inkjet technology, and highlights examples of the high-end print products made possible with Fujifilm technology.

Visitors to the Chicago Technology Center can see and touch raised print output displayed in various capacities: back-lit displays, textured wall wraps, wall wrap collages, printing on six-panel doors, ceiling displays, 3-Dimensional creations which utilize wide-format, and routing of thick board material. They are also able to view the revolutionary Fujifilm Digital Inkjet J Press 720 and the Xerox digital color presses in action.

“The redesign of the Chicago Technology Center exemplifies the strategy built around Fujifilm Inkjet Technology and clearly indicates that we will continue to forge a path as a leader in printing technology for the graphic arts industry,” said Todd Zimmerman, vice president and general manager, Fujifilm North America, Graphic Systems Division. “Since establishing the center, we have conducted more than 220 customer demonstrations. The center is a valuable resource for printers hungry for more information on printing technology and products, and provides us with valuable feedback.”

The Chicago Technology Center demonstrates the following hardware and software, and shows output examples from each of the following:

• Fujifilm Digital Inkjet J Press 720: The first half-size, sheetfed inkjet press capable of producing offset quality.
• Acuity LED 1600: High-performance wide-format inkjet printer featuring proprietary-design LED light source, high precision, high-speed, printheads, and optimized fast curing UV-LED ink.
• Acuity Advance HS: Inkjet printer offering stunning quality while printing at production speeds of 433 sq.ft./hr. delivering over 100 beds in a single shift; and boasts new express mode that enables printing over 650 sq.ft./hr.
• Javelin 8600N-Z Platesetter: Part of the Javelin 8600 Series of state-of-the-art thermal CTP recorders, delivers versatility and productivity necessary to keep presses running.
• Xerox 770 Digital Color Press: First true production capable printer, making it easy to get started in digital production printing while delivering outstanding image quality, excellent performance, complete versatility, effortless productivity, reliability.
• iGEN4: Uses patented innovative technology and the power of automation to deliver the world's most productive digital press with 25-35% productivity gains, higher monthly volumes, and high definition image quality to capture more pages and profit.
• Xerox Color 800 Press: Delivers sharp, rich, digitally mastered image quality, with optional clear dry ink station enabling creative effects that bring prints to life.
• Mutoh Valuejet 1614: Printer providing fastest production speeds with superior print quality and features specifically designed for the sign market.
• Esko Kongsberg Table XP 24 HS: Superior digital cutting table for signs and POP.

The Chicago Technology Center integrates the full Fujifilm solution, including workflow products such as Cross Media Workflow XMF including XMF ColorPath color management solution, as well as the Rampage workflow system with Metrix that provides unrivaled flexibility for offset and digital devices. The center is fully capable of printing to all industry color standards including G7, SWOP and GRACoL; and it is staffed by print technical experts in the areas of workflow, print production and color management.

“Printers need to continually invest in the most effective technologies to support their businesses from an operational and production standpoint,” Zimmerman said. “We see sweeping changes taking place in the types of investments required today, compared to prior years, and inkjet technology is at the forefront of this change.