The AccurioJet KM-1e, Konica Minolta’s innovative digital inkjet press, incorporates special UV ink, high-performance inkjet printheads and unique imaging technologies as well as a revolutionary image processing system. These combined technologies realise several aspects that are essential for the performance of a production press: highest image quality, amazing stability, outstanding productivity and unheard-of-flexibility.
Building on its predecessor – the AccurioJet KM-1 – Konica Minolta has created a highly stable, colour accurate digital press platform, which incorporates an even more advanced inkjet printhead design with patented Dot Freeze Technology™ paired with unheard of versatility in offset substrate handling.
The KM-1e combines amazing media versatility and the stability characteristic of offset presses with the benefits of cutting-edge digital technology such as zero make-ready for variable data printing, production on oversized B2 sheets and the ability to work with an unprecedented array of specialist media including heavy textured, canvas, metallic, translucent, packaging carton stock and plastics, with thicknesses ranging between 0.06 to 0.6mm.
‘The AccurioJet KM-1e gives print providers unlimited creative applications with our proprietary edge-processing technology that achieves sharper text quality. It prints at true 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution and boasts an amazingly wide FOGRA-certified colour gamut, absolute colour consistency and singular registration accuracy, ensuring superb results from the first print to thousands of printed pages,’ raved Edmund Jacobs, Manager: Production Print at Konica Minolta South Africa.
The machine’s inline sensors ensure continuous image quality control and automatic correction, effectively ruling out image quality degradation. It also has mechanical front and side lays combined with material grippers that deliver best-in-class registration. Further enhancing output quality, an image correction system checks the print quality of every printed sheet, ensuring that customers will always get excellent print quality as well as perfectly matched colours within a tolerance of Delta E 1.5.
‘Print operations can enjoy highest volume printing with flexible imposition onto the wide B2+ format (585 x 750mm) at up to 3 000 sheets per hour (simplex) and automatic duplex printing with no delay for ink drying at up to 1 500 sheets per hour on 0.06 to 0.45mm substrate thickness. This results in enhanced productivity and extreme time savings compared to offset production – something that commercial printers or other high-end press users can appreciate,’ he added.
For its unique, patented LED UV curable inkjet Dot Freeze Technology™, which is proving to be a game changer, Konica Minolta developed a variety of inkjet technologies including an innovative 1200 dpi printhead as well as a patented ink formulation. This printing process prints perfect high definition images in a single print process on one of the widest ranges of materials without any need for priming or post coating, regardless of coated or uncoated and independent of sheet thickness or material type, save for some plastics that may require pre-treatment such as Corona or primer.
Edmund explained, ‘Our unique Dot Freeze Technology™ controls each printed dot on contact with the material thus preventing ink dots from coalescing or bleeding. This is achieved with a high viscosity ink system that allows reliable jetting due to much lower viscosity at that moment but instantly “freezes” the ink upon contact with the substrate, preventing uncontrolled movement of the ink dot and avoiding too deep penetration of the ink into uncoated materials. The result is exceptional colour stability on both coated and uncoated materials in one of the widest working temperature environments of any digital press in the world. Users achieve crisp text and a wide gamut of vibrant colours that jump off the page.’
LED UV curing technology applies minimal heat to the substrate and is designed to deliver consistent results for thousands of hours of operation. Since UV curable inks are used, there is no water to be driven out of the print, eliminating typical issues associated with drying such as material distortion, ability to perfect and excessive heat.
Designed to be largely maintained by the operator, courtesy of its self-maintenance feature, the AccurioJet KM-1e helps maximise production, through down-time due to visits from service engineers, being limited. Once installed, Konica Minolta’s field service specialists will provide operator training that not only focuses on the press but also includes its maintenance routines. Still going further, the KM-1e service concept includes ramp-up support for several months to get you up to speed with your new inkjet press.
‘We initially work with the client to evaluate the business and measure efficiency before crafting a solution that they can fully manage on their own. With an experienced team of on-site technical engineers and a pan-European team offering both remote and on-site support, we then make any necessary adjustments to ensure that a unique solution is tailored to the needs of the company. Even from afar, we have the capacity to monitor and deploy any settings on devices in an efficient way, giving our clients immediate support with a connected and backed up solution,’ he elaborated.
Edmund concluded, ‘This machine not only covers your current jobs but, with its wide colour gamut and excellent quality, also helps you create new business and generate additional revenue streams. We have the expertise to give you professional advice and training in how to use different colour management tools and ensure that you print within the desired ISO standard. With all-around support services, at Konica Minolta, we are able to merge all your needs in one unique solution – the
AccurioJet KM-1e. The future is now set for your success.’