Digital Digest: Xerox Introduces Its First Cut-Sheet Inkjet Press Model

WEBSTER, N.Y. – As more and more commercial print shops weigh the advantages of the production inkjet digital printing process over their existing toner-based digital output devices, Xerox is making sure it offers a viable option. In response to the changing market dynamics, Xerox’s Graphic Communications Business Group announced it will launch its first cut-sheet production inkjet press model, the Brenva HD at drupa 2016, in what it calls the first in a series of cut-sheet inkjet models that will eventually follow.

That was the key takeaway for the approximately 200 U.S., Canadian and Latin American customers and industry media representatives who attended “Let the Work Flow” pre-drupa VIP events held here at the Gill Hatch Customer Innovation Center during the week of March 13.

With several cut-sheet inkjet printers set to debut at drupa by its competitors, Xerox is trying to position the Brenva HD as not another “me too” cut-sheet inkjet press. It is targeting the space — dubbed by InfoTrends as the “Zone of Disruption” — that sits below the gap between high-end cut-sheet toner and low-end, 20˝ continuous-feed inkjet presses. Brenva HD advantages include a small footprint and a comparatively low list price starting at $649,000. A B3+ (maximum 14.33x20.5˝ sheet size) press, it outputs up to 197 A4/182 letter-size ppm on a variety of uncoated, untreated and uncoated inkjet treated paper stocks.

According to Anne Fitzpatrick, worldwide GM for Xerox Developed Production Cut-sheet Products, the Brenva HD — named after a peak in the Mont Blanc region of the Alps — marks the first collaboration between Xerox and Impika engineers. It incorporates the same feeder, frame, paper path and in-line spectrophotometer used within the Xerox iGen press platform; the stacker design of the Xerox Nuvera; and Xerox’s FreeFlow Digital front end.

The Brenva HD targets “everyday business color” applications in the light direct mail, CMYK transactional, marketing collateral and book/manual printing markets. It uses aqueous pigment inks manufactured by DuPont, infrared drying and Kyocera inkjet printheads that enable 600x600 dpi resolution. The goal, Fitzpatrick added, is to eventually achieve 1,200x1,200 field upgradeable resolution.

The Brenva HD also features:

• Object-oriented color management, where the press distinguishes text, graphics and images, and optimizes the image quality of each accordingly;
• Eight different paper drawers deliver multiple stocks with unique profiles or page attributes — all within the same job;
• Four distinct drop sizes help users manage cost versus gamut decisions for each paper stock; and a
• K-only mode to run as a cost-effective monochrome press.

Following the Brenva HD cut-sheet press introduction, Cristina Fernandez, VP/GM of the CF Inkjet Business, previewed the new 20˝-wide Xerox Trivor 2400 continuous-feed inkjet press. It is designed to provide a platform built to grow as business demands increase with the same machine scaling up for more speed, volume and solutions.

The Trivor 2400 — named after a peak in a mountain range in Pakistan — combines 551 fpm speeds in color (656 fpm in monochrome) within a small press footprint. The press is well-suited for catalogs, magazines and color books. Engineered-in automation includes in-line density optimization to reduce streaking and banding, clear pixel technology, and missing jet detection and correction.

A new print server developed in partnership with EFI, the Xerox IJ Print Server powered by Fiery will handle multiple data streams for various application types. The IJ Print Server is said to simplify integration, provide comprehensive color management and integrate seamlessly with workflows.

“We are focused on expanding our inkjet portfolio with more choices and greater capabilities for print providers to grow their businesses,” says Robert Stabler, senior VP and GM, Global Graphic Communications Business Group. “With the addition of Brenva HD and Trivor 2400, we’re making inkjet more accessible and affordable to a larger number of print providers.” PI