The waitings over, and the wraps have come off one of Drupas most eagerly-anticipated launches, the NexPress 2100, described as having the power of a press with the flexibility of a printer.
NexPress is a joint venture between Heidelberg and Kodak, and its development has been shrouded in secrecy. The machines speed is 2,100 A3 pages per hour, or 2,100 duplex A4s. The sheetfed machine uses electrophotographic technology, uses two cylinders like an offset press, has automatic perfecting and can handle stock from 80-300gsm in weight. Up to 6,500 sheets can be held on line.
These specs are impressive, but they dont tell the whole story, said NexPress president Venkat Purushotham. The first comment we get when people see it is hey, its a printing press unlike the copiers, he added. NexPress has the body of a decathlete its fast but extremely strong.
Beta testing will begin later this year, with first shipments slated for mid-2001. Price will be around $350,000. Our customers will make money hand over fist unlike our competitors customers, Purushotham added.