What is it?
The bizhub Press C8000e is currently the top model in Konica Minolta’s range of dry toner digital production presses. The manufacturer also sells the C6000 and C7000 models, which cost less but are slower and have lower duty cycles. At Drupa 2012, Konica announced plans for an 110ppm bizhub Press, the C1100, due for 2014.
When was it launched and what markets is it aimed at?
It was announced at Drupa 2012, then officially launched at Northprint in May 2013 and is now shipping. It’s aimed at commercial printers or inplant users, for short-turnaround, short-run jobs, especially high-margin colour work. Pauline Brooks, product manager at Konica Minolta UK, says: “We’ve sold quite a few into printers for higher value work than the C6000 or C7000, where they may also need a much more powerful RIP. Most have gone to commercial printers, though one or two to public sector inplants. Users want a well built, quality press that’s also easy to set up.”
How does it work?
It’s an SRA3-plus (up to 330x487mm) CMYK toner, simplex/duplex press. According to Konica, it’s particularly robust, with long-lasting parts and consumables. Print quality is good thanks to an alphabet soup of acronym features for the polymerised toner, oil-free fuser and screening technologies, plus automatic density and closed-loop colour controls. Single-pass duplex fusing is used with thicker papers. A hybrid decurling/humidifier/cooling/antistatic system helps reduce the danger of jamming. An optional integrated A4 scanner can be used for copying or reading to disk, although Brooks says most customers don’t choose this.
How does it differ from others in the range?
Compared with the C6000/C7000 there is new engine firmware, software and new usability, integration, performance and colour features. There is also improved connectivity to other systems. More powerful RIPs are offered, with JDF compliance and Windows 7 or Mac OS X compatibility. There is variable data file support including PDF/VT-1 and 2 and facilitated job editing.More media types can be handled and adding new ones to the catalogue is “streamlined” to minimise errors. Inline job editing lets operators change options from the job list without having to open job properties. The 15in colour touchscreen has a new user interface that’s said to be intuitive, clearly labeled, and easy to navigate.
What options are available?
Up to nine paper trays can be fitted inline, with optimised tray setting during printing. These hold a maximum of 10,760 sheets. The delivery stacker can hold up to 13,600 sheets. There’s a choice of a new EFI Fiery based IC-306 or Creo based IC-307 external RIPs, or an internal Konica Minolta IC-601. Brooks expects most commercial printers to choose the IC-306, which is substantially more powerful than its predecessors. Multiple finishing module options include GBC multi-punch units with or without spiral binding; a high-volume bookletmaker; a low-cost, lower-volume booklet finisher; a basic
stapler; a post-inserter (for covers and the like); a folder; a saddle stitcher; and a perfect binder.
What is the USP?
According to the company, USPs include print quality, sophisticated media flexibility, ease of use, build quality and price.
What training and support is offered?
Installation includes an advanced training course, including basic maintenance and repair, plus an advanced module on colour. ‘Operator Replaceable Units’ allow some in-house maintenance. CS Remote Care allows remote monitoring as well as collecting data for automated consumable ordering, production clicks and periodic counter reading. KM also offers users its Digital1234 business development programme.
Sales target and current installations
KM says it is ultimately aiming for a 30%-40% market share in what it calls the “mid-production press” market.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max speed 80 A4 pages per minute (2-up duplex), 43 SRA3 sheets per minute
Max sheet size SRA3+ (330x487mm)
Stock weight range 64-300gsm (350gsm with PF-704/705 paper feeders)
Resolution 1,200dpi, 8-bit colour
Monthly duty cycle 500,000 pages
RIPs IC-306 (EFI Fiery), IC-307 (Creo), IC-601 (embedded Konica Minolta)
Price List prices start from £130,000 including RIP and basic finishing, but depend on configuration
Contact Konica Minolta 0800 833864 www.konicaminolta.co.uk
USER REVIEW
“The strong partnership relationship with Konica Minolta, proven reliability and solid technology are all enabling us to grow our business to embrace new market opportunities for mail” 5/5
Andy Barber Director of UK Mail, Birmingham
ALTERNATIVES
Xerox Color 800
The Color 800 fits above Xerox’s DocuColor line, for much the same price as the C8000e including 80ppm speed and a RIP, stacker and inline bookletmaker. But Xerox says most buyers pay more to get the faster 100ppm 1000 model. Both offer clear toner in a fifth-unit option.
Max speed 80 A4 pages per minute (2-up duplex)
Max sheet size 330x488mm
Stock weight range 55-350gsm
Resolution 2,400dpi
Monthly duty cycle 1.5m pages (100,000 to 350,000 recommended average)
Price From about £130,000
Contact Xerox 01895 251133 www.xerox.com
Ricoh Pro C901Plus Graphic Arts Edition
Ricoh’s top model was recently updated and is a solid seller. The Pro C751 is worth a look too; it’s a bit slower but includes later, advanced print quality enhancement technology including water cooling. Heidelberg also sells the Ricoh engines under its Linoprint brand with its own front ends.
Max speed 90 A4 pages per minute (2-up duplex)
Max sheet size 330x487.7mm
Stock weight range 60-300gsm
Resolution 1,200dpi
Monthly duty cycle 580,000 pages
Price About £130,000
Contact Ricoh UK 0800 904090 www.ricoh.co.uk
Canon imagePress C7011VP/VPS
The underlying engine technology dates to 2006, but this latest version was launched in October. It’s top of the Canon cut-sheet colour toner press range and boasts tweaked engine firmware, an extended media catalogue, more powerful front-end choices, more finishing integration and improved colour management.
Max speed 72 A4 pages per minute (2-up duplex)
Max sheet size 330.2x482.6mm
Stock weight range 60-325gsm
Resolution 1,200dpi
Monthly duty cycle 1m pages max
Price About £130,000 including server
Contact Canon 020 8588 8000 www.canon.co.uk
