The firms are working on a system that uses two the.factory engines to print duplex in one pass.

According to Dotrix director of marketing Stijn Simeons the machine will fit the gap between electrophotographic machines such as the HP Indigo and Xeikon, and Kodak Versamarks high-speed ink-jet machines.

Agfa has also taken on the UK sales and distribution for the.factory. The sole sales chanell previously was Openshaw.

"Dotrix regional managers now drive Agfa sales and report to Agfa managers,"said Simeons.

Openshaw group managing director Tony Halker said: "Agfa want to sell it direct and of course they can do that. We still have a distribution agreement and we are discussing the future of that with Agfa."

Dotrix has been delighted with the response at Drupa to its machines including the increased interest now that it is part of the Agfa stable.

Simeons said that during the show the two machines being demonstrated had each churned out 7km of print every day.

Story by Barney Cox at Drupa