Oc will launch its long-awaited seven-colour digital printer, the CPS 700, at CeBIT and start shipping it in the second half of the year.


Although the technology was originally announced in 1996 it has taken five years to incorporate it into a product.


This is our long-awaited full-colour baby, said chairman Rokus van Iperen. We all know its not been an easy delivery.
Its only the first and our lab has other products in development. It will be part of a big successful family.


The technology used in the CPS 700, which is targeted at on-demand and quickprinters, is being adapted for other applications, including high-speed, high-volume commercial print.


Since it was first shown the firm has been busy taking the technology from a concept to a makeable and serviceable product.


At its heart is a new magnetic image-forming process. The seven imaging units put down a layer of toner that is only one particle thick onto a transfer drum. This gives the machine incredible consistency, but as there is no overlap of colours it needs to use a RGBCMYK seven-colour process to produce an adequate colour gamut.


Oc claims the process is consistent over long runs and across machines, unlike rival electrophotographic-based colour presses.


The ability to run 100,000 sheets without maintenance is unique in the market, said van Iperen.


The CPS 700 is an A3-plus 25ppm machine that will cost 60,000 including an EFI digital front-end. It will challenge Canons CLC and Xeroxs DocuColor 2000 series.


Story by Barney Cox