What does the machine do?
The JetStream 5500 is the flagship model in Canon brand Océ’s range of Wide series of continuous-feed inkjet printers with a web width of 762mm. The 5500 is set apart by its speed of 254 linear m/min. The other machines in the range are the 150m/min 3300 and the 200m/min 4300.
When was it launched and what market is it aimed at?
Launched in November 2012, it is the latest member of Océ’s range of machines, topping out the JetStream line-up. "The key market area for the 5500 is graphic arts, especially books," says Océ UK marketing manager Chris Aked. As well as books, it is also, although to a lesser extent, suitable for digital newspaper printing. It is unlikely to be used for transactional and DM as the investment in finishing kit to take advantage of the wider web, negates the advantages of its high throughput.
How does it work?
As with all continuous-feed inkjets, paper is taken from the reel in the unwinder and fed through the print engine and dryer. From there it can be re-wound for offline finishing or pass into an inline finishing system. It is a two-unit machine and has a paper path that eliminates the turner bars.
Océ’s alliance with Manroland has resulted in an inline folder for book printing, which produces book blocks ready for binding. Here it is able to rapidly change format with minimal waste; can produce four-, six-, and eight-page signatures at full press speed; and supports book sizes of 90x145mm to 250x420mm, thicknesses of 4-72mm and paper weights of 45-150gsm.
How does it differ from previous models?
Width, unsurprisingly, sets the Wide series apart from the competition, while speed sets the 5500 apart from the rest of the Wide series. Océ aims to capitalise on its heritage in continuous-feed print to ensure delivery of this offering is truly successful. And while colour inkjet is a recent development, the firm’s experience with mono and toner means it understands the market and has skills and technologies in paper transport, and workflow – notably the Prisma controller used to drive its presses.
How fast/productive is it?
The printer runs at 254m/min, which, running to a sheeter, means it can churn out 30,000 B2 sph (5,140 A4 ppm). While the ability to shift paper that fast is no mean feat, "the ability to get the throughput is down to advances in the ability of Prisma," reports Aked.
What is the USP of the product?
Speed. No other continuous-feed printer can reach 254m/min, although the resolution in the web direction is lowered to 480dpi when the printer reaches that speed. It’s still no slouch at its standard 600dpi, reaching 200m/min.
How much does it cost?
The JetStream 5500 in a basic configuration costs £3.5m, although Aked says precise pricing is hard to give due to the range of options, including the Manroland finisher and a fifth colour and the choice of dye or pigment inks, available.
What is the sales target, how many are installed worldwide and in the UK?
To date there are no installations anywhere of the JetStream 5500. As for the UK, Océ is currently talking to the bigger book printers.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max web speed 254m/min (at 600x 480dpi), 200mpm (at "apparent" 1,200dpi)
Web width 762mm
Price from £3.5m
Contact Oce UK 0870 600 5544 www.oce.co.uk
ALTERNATIVES
HP Inkjet Web Press T360
HP highlights this machine’s 1,200dpi resolution and adds that the bonding agent enables the use of standard stock to improve economics. It also claims nozzle redundancy and an inline vision system ensure maximum uptime. Those that need higher throughput or larger format can plump for the wider-still T410 with a 1,067mm wide web.
Max web speed
183m/min (colour) ?
220m/min (mono)
Web width
762mm
Price
£3.5m
Contact
HP 01344 363368 ?www.hp.com/go/inkjetwebpress
KBA RotaJet 76
While Océ has partnered with Manroland Web Systems to gain access to high-volume paper handling expertise, KBA teamed up with RR Donnelley for inkjet know-how, the first result being the RotaJet. Since its launch at Drupa, KBA has enhanced the drier and introduced new inks.
Maximum web speed
150m/min
Web width
781mm
Price
£3.3m (reel-to-reel)
Contact
KBA UK 01923 819922 www.kba.com/gb/kba-uk
Kodak Prosper 5000XLi
While successful in the US, the 5000 has yet to find favour with European publication customers. Optional inline optimisation enables the use of standard offset stocks for a better match to offset produced work and lower operating costs. A recent upgrade, the XLi, widens the range of media, especially gloss and coated, that can be used.
Maximum web speed
200m/min
Web width
648mm
Price
£2.1m
Contact
Kodak 0870 8500204 graphics.kodak.com/GB/en/default.htm
