DIGITAL digest
It prints at 600 dpi resolution and is said to maintain its rated speed when printing in color or black-and-white, regardless of the number of colors used or the weight of the paper. The system is anticipated to have a price of approximately $1.8 million per engine ($3.6 million for duplex configurations).
According to Xerox, the new printer will allow service bureaus and data centers to more easily and affordably produce full-color transactional statements and invoices with promotional marketing messages, such as discount offers and advertisements. In addition, print providers will be able to produce direct mail pieces that contain personalized coupons, loyalty campaigns that incorporate membership cards, and newsletters and newspapers with customized content by region.
The Xerox 490/980 employs dry toner, xerographic imaging and flash-fusing technology—a process that does not use heat or pressure or make contact with the paper, allowing the device to print on a much wider array of substrates.
Non-contact flash-fusing fuses the image using high-intensity xenon lamps instead of the conventional method that uses heat and pressure to adhere an image to the paper. Flash fusing only heats the toner; there is no direct heat or pressure contact with the substrate.
Quincy Allen, president, Xerox Production Systems Group, contends that the toner-based system possesses other advantages over ink-jet devices, including higher image quality (600x600 dpi), no special papers required, and simplicity of operation and maintenance.
Currently running in test mode at a customer site in Belgium, the premier showing of the Xerox 490/980 will be at the Drupa 2008 exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, with sales in North America set for later next year.
Plans are reportedly to install 200 engines per year.
Océ Celebrates Past, Looks To Future
VENLO, NETHERLANDS—Océ N.V. recently celebrated 130 years in business and announced the creation of a Document Services Valley in its Dutch hometown. CEO Rokus van Iperen outlined the company’s history in a speech marking the anniversary.
