For technical document and
in-house printing markets.
Canon iPF785Canon has released details of seven new imagePROGRAF devices, some of which include optional MFP capabilities, in a launch designed to strengthen its large format printer range. After the introduction of two 6-colour SE models in February, it’s now further reinforcing the company’s line-up of 5- colour models developed to produce high-end CAD and engineering drawings to full colour 3D renderings for AEC and even in-house poster printing.
The seven new models comprise two 5-colour, 610mm (24") devices - the imagePROGRAF iPF680/iPF685 - and two 5-colour, 914mm (36") devices - the imagePROGRAF iPF780/iPF785 - together with two new MFP solutions, the imagePROGRAF iPF780 MFP and iPF785 MFP. To enhance Canon's 5-colour MFP solutions, the new iPF8400SE 6-colour pigment device is also available as an MFP, which it said offers longer-lasting and more durable output due to its pigment ink set.
The imagePROGRAF iPF680/iPF685 and iPF780/iPF785 have been developed for the fast production of high quality technical documents in CAD (Computer-Aided Design), AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) and GIS (Geographical Information System) environments, and Canon maintain they deliver higher productivity and lower running costs than their predecessors, thanks to a number of new features. All models have a faster output speed, with the iPF680/685 able to print A1 in 25 seconds and the iPF780/785 able to print A0 in 41 seconds. Additionally, the internal hard disk drive in the iPF685/iPF785 has been increased to 320GB which will allow more storage for print jobs. Canon has also tinkled with each ink colour size by offering users the choice between the previous 130ml ink tank or a larger, high capacity, 300ml ink tank. This, it contends, reduces the frequency of ink replacement, supports high-volume continuous printing and reduces the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), as the cost per millilitre of ink is lower. The new models retain their space-saving footprint, which enables all operations to be carried out from the front of the machine, and the device itself to be installed flush against a wall. This also includes their 'hot-swap' ink tank capability, so that the ink tanks can be replaced without stopping the machine.
Improvements to the print quality of the output has been incorporated as well, due to the introduction of a new magenta ink that expands the colour gamut in order to produce clearer red text and lines in CAD drawings, architectural renderings, posters and POS displays.
Canon added that is further addressing the needs of a diverse range or uses with upgrades to its workflow software. Direct Print & Share, which allows users to collaborate and print via the cloud, has been upgraded to version 2.0 to support a broad range of cloud providers and to allow the printing of HPGL/2 files. A new 'Shortcut' print feature has been added to extend the capability of being able to print without opening files. This has been achieved by allowing users to automatically print - to pre-defined settings - just by dragging files into a Shortcut. It’s aimed at environments where automation and centralised control of printing are key and. Again, Canon believes this will save time and effort and allow batch printing of multiple file types.
Duncan SmithPosterArtist and PosterArtist Lite have been updated to v2.5, providing full integration with Direct Print & Share, a feature which should enable the user to save and share posters in the cloud.
Available from August this year from the Apple App Store will also be an application that will allow printing from an iPad on the new Canon imagePROGRAF 5-colour models.
The scanning capability of Canon's imagePROGRAF MFP solutions has also been targeted by the company to expand their technical performance with a new version of SmartWorks software, v3.5. Maximum scan length has been increased to 15m which should, in theory, allow for the digitising of large plan drawings from utility companies and government planning departments. The optional 'SmartWorks v3.5 Plus' supports the production of multi-page PDFs on the fly, PDF/A scanning, and RGB colour correction in 'Preview' mode, something which should meet the requirements for large engineering projects and government offices.
"In the CAD, GIS and AEC markets, we have continued to see a greater demand for colour technical drawings as well as a shift from centralised output to distributed printing at multiple sites," said Duncan Smith, Director of Wide Format Group, Canon UK. "Similarly in the poster market, the pursuit of more efficient operations and faster turnaround is leading to an increase in the internal production of a broad range of communications. Canon has therefore addressed these clear customer demands with the new imagePROGRAF models, which deliver greater productivity, print quality and convenience."
All the new Canon imagePROGRAF models will be available from the start of May 2014 through Authorised Canon Partners.
Direct Print & Share v2.0 and PosterArtist Updater for v2.5 are available for download from the Canon Software Download Centre at http://software.canon-europe.com/
More information is available on the Canon website at www.canon.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter - @DigiPrintNews
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/DPNLive - (click the ‘LIKED’ button/top of page as well)
Copyright © 2014, DPNLIVE – All Rights Reserved.
