The new series comprises of five machines, the entry-level bizhub PRO C1060 and C1070, and the bizhub PRESS C1060, C1070 and P for more demanding commercial print applications.

The new machines offer the same 60ppm and 71ppm speeds of their C6000 and C7000 predecessors and build on their print quality, according to Konica.

“This features brand new imaging technology and new toner, so it’s a completely new engine built from the bottom up,” said Michael Mølbæk, senior manager of production printing at Konica Minolta’s International marketing Division.

The new machines feature new Konica Minolta-developed Simitri HD E toner technology designed for better half- and skin- tones and to give a more stable image quality generally.

“The traditional 6000 and 7000 have a developer and two toner components, but the new one has developer in the toner,” explained Mølbæk. “When the developer wears out you’re likely to see a change in image quality, but with our new toner system we’re replenishing the developer as we go. So you have less service calls for maintenance, and a stable quality.”

A bizhub PRO C1060 and bizhub PRESS C1070 will be running on Konica’s stand (N1-C130) at Ipex next week (24-29 March).

Like its predecessor, the new bizhub series has been designed to be modular to support a range of inline finishing. The new machines will support existing modular finishing units, along with new modules mostly to be announced later this year but including a new square folding unit, also to be shown at Ipex.

“It’s a totally new finishing module that can do 50 sheets of stapling, four staples, square folding, side slitting and scoring,” said Mølbæk. 

Recommended retail prices for the series start from £65,000.