The models use a new generation of electromagnetic printing heads, offering longer life and a smaller dot size. There's also a new print drum with durability and quality enhancements.

The VaryPresses will have a new toner with finer particles. Coinciding with the launch Nipson also announced a new pricing strategy, removing the price differential between MICR and its other toners. According to Nipson president Alfons Buts: "We are truly unique in the market now, there is a huge cost difference at the moment between our MICR printing and our competitors."

Shipping of new models will begin in the Autumn, with top of the range machines list-priced at 200,000 for the 200 and 265,000 for the 400. Nipson estimates that the click-charge for the 200 will be set 16% lower than that of the Nipson 8000, as well as a 15% reduction in toner consumption. Altogether Buts estimated that the cost per page on the new units will be comparable to that of ink-jet. "Operating costs are much more important than the purchase price, we have always understood that," said Buts.

The company has continued with its cold-flash fusing technology, and both the 200 and 400 will run at full resolution at maximum speed. The 200 is aimed at the data driven variable document sector, where the 400 is a "digital workhorse", capable of going inline to a flexo or offset press. The new printers offer an effective print width of 470mm, as well as what Buts describes as "real variable speed", allowing for changes on-the-fly. "Flexibility is the name of the game with the VaryPress," he added.

Buts was enigmatic regarding the future possibility of a colour machine from the Nipson stable, and quipped "maybe next Drupa". "The only thing I can add is that historically there has been a perception that magnetography is excluded from the colour field, we no longer consider that the case."

Story by Darryl Danielli at Drupa