What’s going on in the imaging industry?

Evidently, the possibility of a Fuji Xerox takeover of Xerox is not yet dead. Last April a Xerox shareholder filed suit to block the sale, claiming conflicts of interest by then Xerox CEO Jeff Jacobson and a temporary injunction was issued. A New York State judge has now overturned that injunction. Fujifilm will reportedly wait until the end of the year to decide what the next step will be.

Oki will close its Cumbernauld, Scotland manufacturing operations and relocate operations to Asia. The facility was initiated in 1987 and had operations related to ribbons and toner.

Japan’s CET Group (Joetsu City, Nigata) will begin production of jet pulverized toner by April 1, 2019. Evidently Mitsubishi Chemical will provide the extruded toner to CET. CET will also start developing its own products in Japan with expected worldwide distribution.

Static Control Components (SCC) has announced a pending shut down of its toner and ink jet component production facilities and the layoff of 240 employees. China’s Ninestar Corp. is the parent company and is restructuring operations.

Canon Information and Imaging Solutions and Hitachi Consulting Corp. have formed a strategic alliance that will provide digital solutions to U.S. customers.

A recent HP interview in Inkworld Magazine discussed printing of corrugated cardboard. David Tomer of HP mentioned digital corrugated printing is expected to grow from $3.5 billion in 2017 to US$5.5 billion by 2022. HP offers a number of solutions for that application, particularly the C500 digital press which utilizes aqueous pigment inks that are certified for food and require no additional barrier and are 100% free of UV chemistries.

Consumerreports.org had a recent report “Why is Printer Ink so Expensive?” where it explained the issues related to design and use of the ink, the ways to save on ink and issues with third party ink. One such issue addressed is how printers can be less efficient and waste ink. They cite the example of Brother MFC-J775DW XL that might cost the average user US$27 per year for ink while a similarly priced (US$250 range) Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 would require ten times the ink cost or US$280 range.

Canon has introduced the WG7200 Series of business inkjet multifunction printers. The four models offer “General Mode” print speeds ranging from 40-50 ppm black or color and faster speeds in “Office Document Mode”. Canon has expanded its large format printer line with the new, faster, and quieter image PROGRAF TM Series devices. The nine new printers range from the low end TM-200 (US$2,495) to the TM-305 MFP T36 (US$7,995).

Epson has recently introduced a number of new printers for a broad range of markets:

• the WF-C529R (print) and WF-C579R (print, copy, scan, fax) members of the WorkForce Pro WF-C500R printer series. Print speeds up to 24 iso ppm (black or color). High yield replaceable ink pack system with up to 50,000 pages (black) and 20,000 (color)
• the wide-format printer range has been expanded with the introduction of the 24”SureColor T3470 and 36”SureColor T5470 models. The models use UltraChrome XD2 pigment ink in high-capacity ink cartridges with 350ml of ink. Prices are US$2,295 and US$2,995;
• the WorkForce Pro WF-3730 and WorkForce Pro WF-3733 all-in-one inkjet devices intended for home/office markets. The printers offer ISO speeds up to 10 ppm (color) and 20 ppm (black) and claim to have running costs 30% less than lasers;
• the SurePress L-6534VW Digital Label Press has capability of 49 to as much as 162 ft/min depending on white density levels. The ink is LED/UV cured.

3D printing company Evolve Additive Solutions has formed a partnership with Eastman Kodak whereby Kodak will supply NEXPRESS technology, parts and supplies for Evolve’s Selective Thermoplastic Electrophotographic Process. The Evolve process involves layer-wise deposition and fusing of engineering thermoplastic powder “toners” using a dual component development process that is both high speed and very reproducible. The companies have also signed a joing development agreement. Evolve Additive Solutions was formed is a spin- off from 3D pioneer Stratasys.

Buyers Lab has designated Kyocera Document Solutions as the Most Reliable Multifunction Printer Brand based on five years of testing of every major OEM equipment brand.

Dupont Advanced Printing Artistri textile jet inks have received ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX certification from Germany’s independent testing organization Hohenstein Institute.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions has used the recent SGIA to present its new AccurioWide 200 hybrid UV LED printer offering for the Graphics and Imaging Industry. Print capabilities up to 6.7 feet wide in six colors, including white with the Konica Minolta 1024i printhead.

Ricoh has announced it will acquire LAC Corporation, a Tokyo-based company that has developed unique technology that allows inkjet printing of high viscosity inks onto the surfaces of three dimensional surfaces.

Canon has introduced the new imageRUNNER Advance 715iF II Series A4 multifunction printers, which will complete the third generation of imageRUNNER models. Print speeds range from 55 to 75 ppm with auto duplex.

Toshiba has added new multifunction printers to its e-STUDIO line with the introduction of one monochrome and two color versions. Print speeds up to 50 ppm and with prices beginning at $3575.

Xerox has introduced the VersaLink C8000 and C9000 mid speed color printers. Output up to 45 or 55 ppm respectively at resolution up to 100×2400 dpi. The C9000 can have high capacity toner cartridges of 26,500 pages (color) and 26,500 pages (black). Drum cartridge of 190,000 pages.

Toshiba Tec has announced it will release the world’s smallest and lightest inkjet head. The CF3R head provides 600 dpi and ink recirculation when used with the CC1 recirculation device, such that heavy pigments do not precipitate. The configuration also helps any misfires to be automatically adjusted.