New digital copiers take on big print jobs

By By Susan Avery -- Purchasing, 11/16/2000

Copier OEMs have developed technology that enables some of their new products to take on print jobs previously performed by computer printers. Some of these new copiers, or multifunction products as they are increasingly called, are designed for use by corporate workgroups; others have the power to be used in production environments. As such, they have capability to copy, print, and, in some cases, to fax and scan-and, not to mention, finishing capabilities that continue to outshine those of computer printers.

From Ricoh Corp. comes the new Aficio 1050 digital imaging system capable of handling high-capacity workloads and custom paper sizes. It features high-speed output at 105 pages per minute (ppm).

Built on Ricoh's 12th generation digital engine, the Aficio 1050, Ricoh's first digital entry in the Segment Six category, expands the company's range of digital imaging systems.

Connect Copy capability links two Aficio 1050s to double the output speed to 210 ppm for high-volume production applications, providing an alternative to high-speed systems. In addition, this configuration provides back up in production environments.

The Aficio 1050 features touch-panel CRT controls with dual-language capabilities. Fully configured, the Aficio 1050 offers six paper sources for a total online capacity of 7,550 sheets. The high-capacity, 100-sheet Auto Reversing Document Feeder with Next Job Prescan and Batch Feed capabilities work together to manage both long- and short-run production. The Aficio offers some of the same features as Ricoh's 850, addressing needs of production-environment applications. These include: chapterization, varied throughput such as 110-lb index stock, 80-lb cover, tab-extension printing, and up to five different paper types in a single job.

Ricoh's Document Server and Editor technology addresses the market's growing print-on-demand needs. This technology stores print jobs internally or to a Rewritable CD either by scanning originals via the standard ARDF or from the desktop. Once in memory, documents can be merged, finishing options modified, and pages added or deleted for complete pre-press processing.

Konica Business Technologies 7055 Workgroup Document System is a 55 ppm copier/printer.

Built from the platform of the Konica 7065, the 7055 offers many of the same features. It is a "workgroup workhorse" producing a maximum volume of 300,000 pages per month and an increased toner capacity for 33,000 impressions. Productivity also is maximized through the unit's dual-access architecture, which allows users to scan documents while the current job is being processed, as well as an automatic stackless duplexing system. Two 7055s can be configured in tandem to produce 110 cpm. In addition, Konica's fifth-generation print controller, the IP-303, gives the 7055 "easy networkability." The IP-303 connection allows the Konica 7055 to tandem print, producing up to 110 ppm and tandem print and copy simultaneously. It offers production-style capabilities right from the desktop with a processor speed of 333 MHz. Memory also is increased with a maximum RAM of 512 MB and a processor hard drive of more than 2.0 GB.

Finishing features on the Konica 7055 are similar to those found on most enterprise production systems. Users can choose either the standard 2,200-sheet finisher with eight-position stapling or the optional 3,200-sheet booklet maker with folding, saddle stitching and optional post-sheet insertion. An Electronic Recirculating Document Handler receives and stores originals as compressed digitized data for unlimited set production.

Newest digital copier/printer/scanner system from Kyocera Mita America, the KM-6230, is the first to offer the company's printing and scanning technologies in a departmental connectivity system with high-speed productive output, large paper capacity, and high monthly volume and yields.

The new system offers a choice of optional finishing devices such as the 3,000-sheet capacity All-Position Staple Finisher with standard two- and three-hole punch and an optional seven-bin mailbox. The new Saddle Stitcher can center stitch folded Ledger/Letter documents as well as edge-staple 50 sheet sets, and all position staple. It has a 200-sheet paper capacity.

In addition, the KM-6230 has fast multicopy/print speeds, a 3.6-million image drum yield, an 8.5 GB hard disk drive with capacity of more than 16,000 letter pages at 6% coverage. Also included are: advanced memory capabilities such as Synergy Print Box (which allows collaboration of hard-copy and soft-copy documents to be combined in outputs of one document), Virtual Mail Box (which offers up to 100 password-protected boxes which can be assigned for secure printing), and Shared Data Mode (which allows up to 100 'Public Records,' phone lists, directories or instruction sheets which are easily stored for retrieval). Enhanced electronic job build capabilities are also available including: page numbering and job reserve, improved help guidance and Copy/Print account management.

The new Print/Scan System Embedded Controller allows for connectivity with Parallel Interface or optional NIC. The KM-6230 operates under Windows or Macintosh, and key network operating systems. Print and copy resolution is 600 DPI and paper output is ledger, legal, letter, invoice, 110-lb index, as well as envelopes. It comes standard with PCL 6 and kpdl 2 (PS 2 compatible) drivers. Scanning is twain-compliant and provides resolutions from 200 dpi to 600 dpi.

The connected KM-6230 comes with Kyocera Mita's Print Monitor software. This allows the Network administrator to better monitor Kyocera Mita products on the network and can provide notification of low or out-of-paper or toner messages. The Kyocera Mita Print Monitor helps provide better product administration over the network.

Sharp Document & Network Systems of America added four models to its imager digital printer/copier line. The new imager models, the AR-287, AR-337, AR-407 and AR-507, copy and print at speeds of 28 ppm, 33 ppm, 40 ppm and 50 ppm, respectively. Each imager can be configured as a seamlessly integrated workgroup copier/printer with network scanning capabilities, allowing total document control from a single workstation. Compatible with multiple network operating systems and protocols, these machines offer mid- to high-volume offices a digital document system for presentation preparation, e-mail distribution, and conversion of hard-copy documents to digital format. New copier features include:

• 4.3 GB hard drive.

• Job build. This feature enables the user to split a document greater than 50 pages by scanning the entire document in stages. The Imager then outputs the entire document as one complete set.

• Hard-disk erase. Feature automatically erases confidential information off the hard drive to ensure document security.

New printer features include:

• Confidential print. This allows users to create a print job, enter a PIN number into the print driver, and send the job. When they are ready to output the document, they simply select the job from the imager's LCD control panel, enter their PIN number and begin printing.

• Tandem copy and print. The AR-337, AR-407 and AR-507 each have the capability to perform tandem copy and print with the use of the AR-CA1 Tandem Kit, providing customers with printing capability of 66, 80 and 100 ppm.

• Job accounting. Feature tracks both copies and prints to one account number, allowing for simple job-accounting charge backs.

• Sharp Printer Administration Utility. It monitors both Sharp and non-Sharp SNMP printers over the IP network, allowing administrators easy access to all of their printing devices no matter where they are.

• NWSetup. This is a set-up tool for Netware Printing environments by use of a Windows Wizard Graphical User Interface (GUI).

• Sharp Integrated Installer. It helps simplify the installation process by guiding the user through a series of screens to install desired software utilities and print drivers.

• Sharp Status Monitor. The feature allows end users to observe the status of their specific print jobs on the system from their desktop. In addition, users can monitor existing network print jobs to determine which printers are available for immediate use.

The new models are networkable with Novell Netware, AppleTalk, Unix and WinNT 4.0 via Sharp's new AR-PB2A Print Controller, which offers an outstanding 600 x 600 dpi printing quality. The AR-PB2A supports PCL5e/6 and Postscript Level 2 page description languages and comes standard with 16MB of memory, expandable to 80MB. Using the AR-PB2A, the new imagers are fully compatible with both PC and Macintosh environments, including plug-and-play support for Microsoft Windows 95/98.

Black and white copier MFP line from Toshiba America Business Solutions includes a new line of eight eStudio copiers. To support its monochrome Segment four and Segment five copiers, tabs has introduced a new SC-2 controller with full network connectivity for both PCs and Macs.

The controller features tandem printing and tandem copying, scan-to-file, and scan-to-e-mail, Web-based system management, as well as private print function and proof print.

An 80 cpm (copies per minute) DP8070 supports a monthly volume of 440,000. It features four-beam laser technology with 600 x 2400 resolution and service replaceable maintenance modules.

The first eStudio monochrome copier MFP is the eStudio 16, a 16-ppm digital copier with 600 x 600 dpi copying resolution and 600 x 1200 dpi printing. The unit supports up to 90 LB index, standard 550 sheets paper capacity with a 1,750-sheet maximum, and full network connectivity, either PC or Macintosh. The cartridge-based imaging unit can also scan to file.

The 20 ppm eStudio 20 and 25 ppm eStudio are similar to the eStudio 16 with the added option of a two-tray handing finisher and a maximum paper capacity of 3,700 sheets.

The 35 ppm eStudio 35 and 45 ppm eStudio 45 have 600 x 2400 dpi resolution, 30-seconds warm-up time, and can support up to 110 LB index paper. Other features include full network connectivity, for either PC Macintosh or Unix, scan to file/scan to e-mail and service maintenance modules. Options include two connectivity solutions for network printing and a facsimile function for walk-up, pc lan fax or Internet fax.

The eStudio 55, 65 ppm eStudio 65 and the 80 ppm eStudio 80 digital copiers feature 600 x 2400 dpi resolution, four-beam laser technology and service maintenance modules. Also available on the units are three-position stapling finishing with saddle stitching and hole punching, document storage as well as network printing from either PCs or Macintosh computers. The copiers have 5,600-sheet maximum paper capacity and are compatible with the SC-2 controller for scanning, tandem printing and copying, Web-based diagnostic tools and client/server administration/status utility software.

Powered by a new Intel 433-MHz microprocessor, the Xerox Document Centre 480 prints and copies at 75 ppm and offers scanning. These features, along with faxing capabilities, allow Document Centre users in the networked office to manage, store and share electronic and paper documents.

The Document Centre 400 Series now includes six models (20-75 ppm). Each model features the same user interface and consistent functionality and connectivity options.

Features include the following:

• Build Job. The Document Centre 480 allows proofing during a job build, providing an "improve as you go" capability. For example, if a correction needs to be made on pages 2-5 on a 50-page document set, that one section can be altered without reprogramming the entire job. In addition, it can make single-sided and double-sided copies together within the same job.

• Document Handler. The 100-sheet duplex automatic document feeder offers convenience and productivity in scanning applications, allowing more documents to be scanned at one time.

• Network Connectivity. The 480 supports Dazel printing, IBM Tivoli and Computer Associates Unicenter, as well as the HP OpenView Network Node Manager enterprise device management solution.

• Scanning. Image-adjustment improvements include border and edge erase, capability to scan to the edge, and support for PDF Image Only Formats.