Canon has introduced the first of a new line of toner digital presses. The V1000 is a 100ppm, 600,000 impressions a month light production press that is capable of a duplexed 1,300mm sheet and has new sensors for colour accuracy and consistency. These are among the features that are sure to be rolled out to other machines in coming months.
They have appeared first on a press addressing a market gap where Canon has lacked a competitive product, and are indication that Canon, despite the success of the iX cut sheet inkjet technology, believes that toner is a technology with a future. It is seven years since Canon introduced the C10000VP as its flagship press for the cutsheet production print sector.
There is an optional sensing unit which includes a spectrophotometer and step registration controller which controls front to back registration on most paper sizes and makes automatic adjustments to correct positioning. While this does not operate on duplexed sheets longer than 762mm, front to back registration on the longest sheets remains impressive thanks to an inbuilt two-step registration system.
The inline spectrophotometer automates calibration and recalls settings to enable set up by operators with lower skills levels.
There is a new paper path with larger drying drum and cooling system after fusing to keep the sheet in good condition and avoid curling. There are also automatic adjustments for different paper weights and to keep the print speed a consistent 100ppm regardless of paper weight or substrate type. It will print on papers from 52-400gsm. An alert system checks volumes of toner, issuing a warning when bottles need replacing.
The press is four-colour only, continuing an approach that Canon has previously taken. Its research suggests that for the majority of work CMYK is adequate and adding a superfluous imaging station would affect the size and cost of the V1000.
Regardless of this decision, Joe Courts, Canon UK’s head of product marketing, says: “By responding to the needs of our customer base, we have brought a fresh perspective to digital toner press design, exploring innovative ways to tackle everyday production headaches and helping print businesses to work better, faster, with more scope to offer their customers creative print products.”
A basic machine is a fraction over 1.5 metres long, but with optional feed bins and inline finishing can become substantially longer. The basic unit has three bins with up to 11,100 sheets. It can feed envelopes, embossed papers, films, synthetic and magnetic media. Options include a PoD to extend this and a multi purpose tray for different materials as well as the 1,300mm long sheets.
Finishing options include in built stapler, punch, booklet maker and perfect binder with options on trimmers. There is also a Finisher Bridge and DFD Adapter to enable standalone finishing units to operate inline according to customer requirements.
The press is controlled through with a EFI Fiery controller based on the FS500 PFE or a Canon Prisma DFE, both supporting variable data printing. The device has a 2400x2400dpi laser for imaging.
