Konica plots an inkjet revolution

Konica Minolta said it will leave behind "competitors in the old world" with the new B2 inkjet press co-developed with Komori.

06 May 2012 | By Rahul Kumar

The Japanese manufacturer is exhibiting the new machine – codenamed KM-1 – at its drupa booth (Hall 8b, Stand B78). President and chief executive of IJ Technologies, Akiyoshi Ohno, introduced himself to journalists at the day one press conference as "Mr Inkjet of Konica Minolta".

He told the crowd he wanted to "cause a revolution" by expanding the market penetration of "the best inkjet heads in the world".

Konica Minolta already supplies printheads to a number of other OEM partners, but will now put these to good use on the KM-1, which combines its proprietary inkjet heads with Komori’s "high-accuracy paper handling technology".

The B2-format machine offers 1,200 dpi resolution and can reach speeds of 3,300 sheets per hour (sph) in simplex mode or 1,650sph duplex.

The Komori partnership comprises two distinct strategies, with the co-developed inkjet technology seen in the KMh-1 backed up by a sales partnership under which Komori will distribute the Bizhub range of production digital presses.

The push into inkjet is part of Konica Minolta’s bullish plans to rapidly grow its production printing business to reach €2.8bn by 2016.The manufacturer also has high hopes for a new toner-based technology being introduced at its drupa booth. The Bizhub Press C1100 is due for commercial launch next year.

Konica Minolta’s KM-1 combines it proprietary inkjet heads with Komori paper-handling technology.