New High Speed Inkjet Printer For Xpress Disc Publishing Systems

Microtech Systems announced today they have added the Xjet high speed inkjet printer to their family of system printers that supports the volume production capabilities of the XP family of publishers that have capabilities for unattended operation generating hundreds of discs per day.
The new Xjet will complement the Microtech printer family currently consisting of the Xstreamjet, the K2 color thermal and the Xpression monochrome thermal.
The Xjet can print on inkjet ready CD/DVD & Blu Ray media at a draft speed of only 3 seconds per disc and only 22 seconds for a 100% full color best quality image, making it one of the fastest color printing systems in the market.
Industry leading 4800 dpi print resolution and 16.7 million colors with the special aqueous inks provides the sharpest text and dazzling graphics with bright, vibrant and photo-quality output. Separate cartridges for each color provide the most cost effective and efficient delivery system for even large volume production runs.
The Xjet comes complete with Microtech’s proprietary DiscPrint , software, the industry leading tool for designing and printing images and text directly onto media for a completely professional presentation.
The software allows users to generate dynamic text, and supports both text and graphic files, and is optimized for the production environment. DiscPrint is also compatible with most popular graphics programs when files are saved as PDFs or PRNs.

Oce JetStream 1900 Inkjet Printing System Offers Speed, Versatility and Minimal Footprint

Oce, a Canon Group company and an international leader in digital document management, has extended its continuous feed portfolio with the launch of the new Oce JetStream 1900 printing system. This innovative printer is part of the Oce JetStream Compact series, offering the highest versatility at minimal footprint.
Higher speed handles growing color businessThe new Oce JetStream 1900 system offers a printing speed of 417 feet per minute, equivalent to just over 25,000 feet per hour, in digital full color. A member of the scalable Oce JetStream Compact series of high-volume, inkjet duplex printers, the Oce JetStream 1900 system expands the range of this series from two field upgradeable speed bands of 246 and 328 feet per minute to even faster 417 feet per minute, thereby increasing productivity by more than 25% over earlier Compact series models. This makes the Oce JetStream 1900 system, the high-end product of the Oce JetStream Compact series, the ideal solution for cost-effective personalized, full color printing.

Performance and premium mode cut costs and raise qualityFor print jobs with short production windows and tight cost constraints, the performance mode of the Oce JetStream 1900 system operates at 417 feet per minute, which translates to 1,818 letter images per minute, at 600 x 480 dpi resolution and multilevel dot modulation. For top quality requirements, the premium mode enables printing at 600 x 600 dpi at 328 feet per minute or 1,428 letter images per minute.
Transactional applications, direct mail documents or short-run books are often characterized by tight production windows and very high peak loads. This is where the Oce JetStream 1900 system reveals its strengths and economic advantages. For cost-effective production, the standard InkEconomy feature can reduce overall ink consumption and facilitate substantial ink savings. Users also benefit from the reliability, print quality and media range associated with the Oce JetStream family.
New Oce JetStream 1900 addresses changing business needs"This newest member of the Oce JetStream Compact series offers the highest level of flexibility and productivity," said Kris Albee, Director, Product Marketing, Production Printing Systems division of Oce North America. "This flexibility productivity, and small footprint, coupled with Oce's award-winning service is what is most important to our customers."
That sentiment is shared by customer Andy Mandell, Chairman of the Board at Data-Mail, Inc., Hartford, Conn. When the company bought its JetStream 2200, both service and size mattered. "We think we got the best of everything with the JetStream," he said. "The footprint of the printer was smaller which was advantageous to us because we are short on space here. But we had to have a dependable partner, someone we could really count on. That's why we picked a company like Oce."

Intermec Debuts New Desktop Printer Designed for Healthcare Environments

Intermec, Inc. announced the PC23d – an intuitive, flexible and smart desktop printer designed to set a new standard for user-friendly, efficient printing operations in healthcare environments. With a compact and purpose-built design, the two-inch PC23d direct thermal printer is ideal for hospital settings and an affordable choice for healthcare organizations performing wristband and labeling applications including patient tracking, sample and bedside labeling as well as pharmacy and medical records.
Ideal for healthcare customers new to barcode printing or who are making the switch from laser or inkjet, the PC23d is designed for quick set-up and trouble-free use. The PC23d is equipped with either a universal Icon interface or color LCD in 10 languages for immediate notifications – ultimately reducing training and support needs without relying on IT.
With the fastest print speed in its class at eight inches per second, simple one-handed media loading and the ability to configure on the spot with a USB flash drive – no computer required – the PC23d is ideal for the fast-paced healthcare environment. It’s also optimized with a disinfectant resistant case, built to resist chemicals and cleaners. Additionally, Intermec’s INband wristband media offers a tested and proven wristband solution with the ability to withstand repeated exposure to moisture, water and sanitizers.
The PC23d keeps IT administrators informed and productive with remote status update tools to minimize downtime. It also offers off-the-shelf compatibility and certifications with a wide range of healthcare software applications to enable users to be up and running quickly, with minimal IT support. Additionally, each printer comes with its own webpage for easy remote device management via the Internet.
The PC23d takes a modular approach to connectivity, so it will easily fit into existing network environments. USB comes standard along with optional user installable serial, parallel, secure Ethernet and dual wireless card with Bluetooth and CCX-compliant 802.11 b/g/n. The PC23d is also available with HF RFID for tracking high-risk patients and valuable assets.

3D Systems Reports Fourth Quarter Results

3D Systems Corporation announced non-GAAP adjusted earnings of 27 cents per share for the fourth quarter of 2011 and GAAP earnings of 16 cents per share. Revenue increased 35% to $69.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 and 44% to $230.4 million for the full year. Printer units grew 190% for the quarter and 242% for the year resulting in record printer revenue and units shipped.
To facilitate a better understanding of the impact that several significant strategic acquisitions had on its financial results, with today's earnings release the company began to report non-GAAP measures which adjust net income and earnings per share by excluding the impact of stock-based compensation, amortization of intangibles, non-cash interest expense, non-recurring acquisition expenses and the release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results is provided in the accompanying tables.
For the full year 2011 the company reported non-GAAP adjusted net income of $41.0 million resulting in $0.81 per share, up 69% compared to full year 2010, and GAAP net income of $35.4 million, or $0.70 per share.
Gross profit increased 32% for the fourth quarter and 47% for the full year 2011. Gross profit margin expanded 100 basis points to 47% for the full year 2011, reflecting steady progress from the company's effective integration and cost down initiatives. The company reported that its annual gross profit margin excluding all acquisitions since 2009 expanded from 47% for full year 2010 to 52% for full year 2011. The company's annual gross profit margin excluding all businesses acquired during 2011 improved from 46% for 2010 to 49% for 2011. The company's reported fourth quarter and full year total gross profit margin of 47% primarily reflected the expected temporary drag from its more recently acquired businesses with higher concentration of acquisitions during the second half of 2011.
The company generated $27.7 million of cash from operations for the year 2011, after incurring a $21.1 million increase in its operating expenses from previously announced and expected acquisition costs, litigation expenses and higher sales costs. The annual increase included a $3.6 million increase in R&D expenditures in support of its Cubify.com consumer initiative and a number of significant new product launches that occurred during the second half of the year.

RMIT installs HP Designjet Z6200 photo printer

An HP Designjet Z6200 photo printer from Hewlett Packard has been installed by RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) to facilitate the high volume of printing required by its students in the Design and Social Context College, which encompasses the School of Architecture, School of Art, School of Media and Communication and Design TAFE.
Remi Krawiec, the Technical Services Coordinator for Information Technology Services (ITS) at RMIT explains that they chose the Z6200 photo printer without a second thought as they had always operated a fleet of HP large format printers.
ITS provides printing services for students who send images to print from the various faculties on the Melbourne CBD campus. Remi purchased the printer through HP Channel Partner Celmac.
The purchase of the new HP Designjet Z6200 photo printer was motivated by two key objectives. From an IT perspective, the ITS needed a printer that was very fast and able to handle large jobs in high volumes.
From a student’s perspective, the printer needed to output very high quality images and accurately reproduce photographs, which were important factors since the students used the printer for their final assessment folios and end of year public exhibitions. The HP Designjet Z6200 was selected after evaluating three different photo printers across competitive brands.
The HP Designjet Z6200 has proven its worth already in the lead up to last year’s end of year presentations and exhibitions, clocking up thousands of jobs in a very short period of time as students geared up for final assessments.
Students from the Design and Social Context College use the HP printer to output images from A2 to A0 sizes on a variety of substrates. While Remi and his team manage the calibration and maintenance of the printers, the students are in control of their own printing.
 

Lulu Software Launches Affiliate Program

LULU SOFTWARE, the publisher of Soda PDF, a portable document format (PDF) editing and creation application, has established an affiliate program to extend the distribution network for its Soda PDF product line. Affiliates can now promote Soda PDF products through personal websites, online shopping carts, social networks and even banner ads. The company provides affiliates with all the tools necessary to achieve success -- from banner ads, text links and email templates to multiple pricing models and custom tracking.

White House Custom Colour (WHCC) Acquires New Canon DreamLabo 5000 Production Inkjet Printer

Canon U.S.A., Inc announced that White House Custom Colour (WHCC), a Minneapolis/St. Paul-based professional-photography lab, has entered into a letter of intent to purchase the first DreamLabo 5000 production inkjet printer sold in the U.S. WHCC will use the DreamLabo 5000 to support high-end applications for the needs of its core customers: professional photographers throughout the United States.
Since opening in the late 1970s, WHCC has strived to offer its clients innovative solutions for meeting their photo-printing needs. It was one of the first photo labs in the country to completely transition from analog to digital technology, and is renowned for the production of premium photo books and albums, photo prints and wall display products.
"The WHCC name and reputation is prestigious in the photo production industry with professional photographers," said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Marketing, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A. "WHCC is well known for delivering extremely high-end, professional-quality output differentiating them by being early adopter of new innovations in their field."
"We are looking forward to the expanded applications which the DreamLabo 5000 will allow WHCC to offer to our clients," said Chris Hanline, Co-Owner & CTO of WHCC. "We are excited about the ability to produce high quality images through this innovative and productive inkjet printer."
The Canon DreamLabo 5000 production inkjet printer will offer the retail photo printing and high-end print-on-demand (POD) markets optimal performance and productivity. Its integration of FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) print-head technology is designed to offer exceptional photo and text quality. The printer also offers an alternative to traditional silver halide processing technology, coupling its strengths with the advantages of inkjet printing. The DreamLabo 5000 Printer features automatic double-sided printing, which is especially convenient when printing photo albums and on-demand two-sided documents. It requires only 72 seconds(1) to print a 20-page A4 size photo album. The DreamLabo 5000 is expected to be available for delivery in mid 2012. For more information on the DreamLabo 5000 production inkjet printer, please visit:

ONYX Graphics Announces ONYX Thrive Workflow Software

ONYX Graphics introduced ONYX Thrive workflow software, a new, scalable print production solution based on Adobe PDF Print Engine technology. ONYX Thrive software manages the wide format print production workflow process offering print service providers accurate, predictable, high quality printing results, and reducing costly errors.
ONYX Thrive software is designed for service providers that want to invest in workflow software to manage their print production environment rather than purchase separate raster image processor (RIP) products that require individual operator attention. Print service providers can feel confident about investing in workflow software that fits the way their shops work today, with the peace of mind that comes with the ability to scale their ONYX Thrive software as business grows.

On a daily basis, print service providers accept digital files from their clients that are created using a variety of graphics software applications. In wide format and specialty graphics applications, these digital files are commonly created using the latest graphic design effects and techniques and are most often submitted as PDF, Adobe PostScript, or EPS files. Today, these digital files are sent to a variety of RIP products in the shop that - depending on how the file was built - can process the files in a different manner, which can deliver unexpected results. If the print doesn't match the client's intent, the file must be corrected and re-run, resulting in increased labor and material costs for the shop, reduced turnaround time, and potentially lost profit on that job.

Xerox and McAfee Team Up to Deliver a New Level of Protection

According to the survey, 39 percent of employees who copy, scan or print confidential information at work worry at least sometimes whether the information on a networked device will remain secure.
To address this concern, Xerox and McAfee are teaming up to design a security system to help companies protect against threats to this confidential data. By integrating embedded McAfee software into Xerox technology, the two companies plan to use a whitelisting method that allows only approved files to run, offering significantly more protection than traditional black listing tactics, where a user has to be aware of and proactively block viruses, spyware and other malicious software. Additionally, the solution provides an audit trail to track and investigate the time and origin of security events, and take action on them.
Xerox and McAfee are improving the safety of devices on the network to protect proprietary company data – a needed solution according to survey data, which also found that some companies don’t take simple steps to lessen the risk, such as making sure employees are aware of IT policies and use access codes to pick up prints and copies. A

3D PDF Consortium to Hold Its First Annual Meeting

The 3D PDF Consortium is holding its first annual meeting in conjunction with the 3D Collaboration and Interoperability Congress on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 23rd. The 3DCIC is dedicated to fostering and improving collaboration and interoperability in product design, development and manufacturing. The 3D PDF Consortium is a sponsor of the 3DCIC event because the popular forum provides an unbiased perspective that is vendor- and product-neutral.
"3DCIC is a natural fit for our annual meeting," says David Opsahl, the Consortium executive director. "The Congress focuses on end user experiences across any industry, and how users are meeting their objectives by leveraging product data assets in ways that generate real return on investment. Sharing experiences is appealing to our members because it provides them with valuable insights for innovation."
"3D PDF will become ubiquitous as the manufacturing community learns how the technology enhances collaboration in product development," explains David Prawel, president of Longview Advisors and founder of 3DCIC. "3D PDF already has a long history with our event. As many of our attendees are implementing real-world solutions to their PLM challenges, 3D PDF always ends up in the dialog."
The 3D PDF Consortium is a community of companies interested in collaboration of dynamic 3D data through PDF files. The 3D PDF Consortium promotes 3D PDF adoption through demonstrating best practices and generating awareness of the power of 3D-enabled PDF to solve a multitude of communication and collaboration challenges across various industries.

HP to embed search into printer

Hewlett-Packard is planning to launch a series of printers and computers embedded with Autonomy’s search software, bringing the group more directly into competition with companies such as Microsoft and Google. Mike Lynch, who sold Autonomy to HP last year and now runs HP’s information management business, said Autonomy software – best known for catching insider trading at banks and monitoring call-centre phone calls – would be coming into the hands of ordinary consumers later this year as HP launches a number of “intelligent” computers and printers embedded with the technology.

Print/3D: An Exhibit of Works

Print/3D, a new exhibition at Material ConneXion, will feature the latest 3D-printed objects and designs from an array of artists, designers and manufacturers. Print/3D will show a wide range of 3D printed pieces from the fields of furniture, fashion, jewelry, medicine and product design. An on-site installation of a Makerbot printer will live print from scanned CAD files. Audiowear, Bespoke, EOS, LGM, .MGX by Materialise, Shapeways, and Studio Dror among others, have all supplied examples of works to explore in this fascinating exhibit. Print/3D shows how technology, creativity and imagination combine to push the boundaries of 3D printing today.

Océ Announces the New Océ Arizona 318 GL Printer

Océ announced the new Océ Arizona 318 GL printer. This is a highly-capable introductory UV flatbed model that offers smaller print producers entrance to the world of high-quality UV flatbed printing. The Océ Arizona 318 GL printer will be on display at the Océ stand F50 (Hall 3) at the FESPA Digital 2012 exhibition from February 21-24, in Barcelona, Spain.
In 2010, Océ Arizona Series platform printers captured 43 percent of new installations in the mid-range UV flatbed market. Since the first shipment of an Océ Arizona Series printer in 2007, nearly 3,000 systems built on this platform have been shipped to date.
The Océ Arizona 318 GL printer delivers quality printing on the same platform as the Océ Arizona 360 GT printer at a price positioned for low-volume production environments – while delivering the same application versatility. It is priced about 35 percent less than the mid-volume Océ Arizona 360 GT model. The Océ Arizona 318 GL printer is ideal for sign makers, smaller print providers, reprographers and other graphics producers that need true flatbed quality and capability but cannot afford a large capital investment.

iPad Adoption Reducing Business Printer Use

A recent study conducted by Morgan Stanley has some interesting implications for one of historical mainstays of the modern office: the printer. The forward march of computer technology has prompted more business to switch to paperless operations, or at least to reduce their paper use considerably. Now it seems that the growing tablet market – and the iPad in particular – is speeding the demise of the office printer. Morgan Stanley conducted a survey of 700 tablet users. They found that 46% did not print as much as they had before, and 41% of all tablet users listed decreased need to print as a main benefit of tablet use.

Slew of updated MacOS X printer drivers

Apple has released a slew of updated printer drivers, but chances are the only ones most of us will care about are those for Canon, Ricoh, and Samsung printers. Apple also released drivers for printers from Gestetner, Infotec, and Lanier, but those are likely to be of less interest to most Macworld readers: Gestetner and Lanier both specialize in selling "document solutions" systems to enterprise customers, while Infotec is a reseller catering to that same market.

Braintree Printing Receives Kudos from Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office for Recycling Efforts

Braintree Printing, a full-service digital printing and offset printing company serving printers and print brokers throughout the Northeast, received kudos from Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti for the company’s recycling efforts.
In a January 2012 letter to owner Jim Corliss, Sheriff Bellotti congratulated Braintree Printing and said the Braintree, MA printing company has “helped the environment and set an example for other small businesses to follow.”
Speaking on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Sheriff Bellotti said the steps Braintree Printing has taken to reduce printing waste and increase recycling are to be commended. “These are the kind of proactive measures that make our communities such great places to live and work,” he said.
In 2008, Braintree Printing partnered with EOMS Recycling of West Bridgewater. EOMS conducted an extensive waste audit and identified recyclables and recommended collection methods. After implementing the suggestions, Braintree Printing reduced its trash considerably, generating an average of 15 tons of recyclable material every month.
Braintree Printing’s purchase of a 35-yard compactor unit with a hydraulic tipper made recycling simple and lucrative, eliminating employee back strain and decreasing EOMS collection costs. In 2011, EOMS rewarded Braintree Printing’s increased recycling with a financial rebate.
Braintree Printing owner Corliss said his company promotes environmental sustainability within his plant and the printing industry. A certified printer in the Forest Stewardship Council’s chain-of-command program, ”Braintree Printing uses FSC certified paper to print materials and recycled cardboard boxes to package them,” he said.
The company purchases eco-friendly equipment such as the HP Designjet L25500 which operates with water-based inks and no pollutants. An energy audit by Braintree Electric Light Department resulted in energy-efficient LED lighting throughout Braintree Printing’s 17,000 square foot plant and shaved 3% of its annual electric bill.

Epson SureColor SC-S30600 64-inch Printer

Epson is building on the success of its large-format printer range for signage and POS applications with the launch of the SureColor SC-S30600, a 64-inch (162.6cm), four-colour (CMYK), eco-solvent roll-fed printer that sets a new price/performance benchmark in this highly competitive sector.
Designed and manufactured by Epson from the ground up, the SC-S30600 offers efficient and environmentally-friendly production at the lowest total cost of ownership, enabling print firms, signmakers, digital copy shops and repro centres to expand their service offering.
The SC-S30600 can produce everything from posters, signs, banners, backlit panels and POS materials to vehicle wraps, interior decorations and exhibition displays. A wide range of roll media is supported, allowing users to print reliably and cost-effectively on SAV, PVC, clear film, photographic paper and a diverse range of popular banner substrates.
Compatible with RIP software from leading vendors the SC-S30600 also allows direct printing from Adobe Illustrator without a RIP.
Epson’s precision engineering Micro Piezo print head technology ensure continuous and trouble-free operation, minimising maintenance and lost production time.
With the fastest throughput speeds in its class SC-S30600 handles high-volume workloads with ease: print speeds range from 7.34m2/hour, typical for indoor poster use, to 29.4m2/hour for outdoor banner applications. There is also a maximum quality mode for the most demanding close inspection work, which uses the printer’s full resolution of 1440 x 1440dpi.
Epson has developed a new ink – Epson UltraChrome GS2 – designed to work perfectly with the SC-S30600 and Epson’s new generation of TFP (thin film piezo) printheads. UltraChrome GS2 builds on the strengths of UltraChrome GS with a new high performance yellow formulation that is lightfast for up to three (3) years without lamination, while still capable of reproducing a broad colour range for precise colour matching.
UltraChrome GS2 is odourless, nickel-free and requires no special ventilation, allowing the SC-S30600 to be used in an air conditioned office environment.
The SC-S30600 has 3 separate heaters with individual temperature adjustments and 5 internal fans for fast drying to improve colour stability and deliver superior print quality. It supports roll media up to 1625.6mm wide and 40kg in weight (80kg via an adaptor), has a variable platen gap allowing media up to 2.5mm thick, and a highly rigid frame with auto tension control for accurate paper management.
Designed for fast media attachment with easy setting up and an integrated lifter, the SC-S30600 has a range of features that make it simple, quick and flexible to install and use, such as:

World's Smallest 'Doxie Go' Scanner

Scanners are not the most exciting area of technology, but one product that has shown its face this week is the Doxie Go Portable Scanner, and GearZap.com are making a lot of noise about it - tipping it to be one of the most innovative products that people will see all year.
So, what is so special about the Doxie Go? The standout feature of it is that it can scan your documents, photos, receipts and more anywhere, any time. However, whilst this is the most innovative feature of the Doxie scanner, there are a whole host of other interesting and unique things that have been implemented.
Physically, the scanner is compact and lightweight, giving it the portability that makes it so different from other scanners today. The size and weight does not impact the scanner in any way however, providing crisp and clean scans that are automatically contrasted, rotated and cropped - which gives you scans that look just as good as the original text or imagery.
The Doxie Go also has built-in memory which allows you to store up to 600 pages of scans, which is 2400 photos, and you can add additional storage in the form of an SD card or a USB flash drive if needed. However, storage should not be an issue, as you can immediately share any files that you have scanned via your iPhone or iPad by syncing it over WiFi.
Utilising extremely clever ABBYY OCR technology, the included Doxie 2.0 software will allow you to edit any text documents that you have scanned in, including copy and pasting whole chunks of text if needed. You can also quickly save any file to a .PDF, .JPEG or a .PNG for lossless compression and quick sharing of your information.
The total amount of products that are included with the Doxie Go include the scanner itself, the Doxie 2.0 software, a sync and charge cable for keeping your battery alive whilst being able to transfer files to your laptop or computer, and a protective carrying case for keeping your Doxie scanner safe whilst you carry it around.
The Doxie Go is available for backorder now on GearZap.com, for £169. GearZap specialise in electronic accessories and are the number one place to go to for a Samsung Galaxy Note case or a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 case

Designjet Solutions to Offer Cloud Printing Troubleshooting Services

It seems UK printer troubleshooting companies have started giving serious thoughts to cloud printing. ‘Cloud printing’ as well as ‘cloud printing’ has been buzzwords in the world tech domain since 2008. Though researches were on before 2008 the terms became prominent only four or five years ago. Designjet Solutions, a well-known UK plotter repair firm have also joined the league now. The company has proclaimed of late that they are going to offer troubleshooting solutions for cloud printing in near future. This is because post-PC gadgets are fast replacing the good old computers and people are getting more used to print documents from distant and physically not connected devices.
The concept of cloud printing was generated with the emergence of new-age Smartphone products and other android gadgets. Top printer manufacturers of the world long sensed the growing need for cloud printing. The companies had rightly anticipated that the consumers are looking for seamless printing solutions on their handy gadgets.
Recently Vyomesh Joshi, the Executive Vice President in charge of IPG (Imaging and Printing Group) wing of HP was interviewed by Designjet Solutions. Mr. Joshi intimated that cloud printing is the tomorrow of modern day printing and it is fast becoming the convention. Designjet Solutions, the leading HP printer repairs company got the right message and are fast setting their goals and strategies accordingly.
Designjet Solutions initiated their plotter repair services back in 1996. The company has ever followed the standards set by Hewlett Packard religiously. As a reward, on today’s date, they are much sought-after across the UK when it comes to HP printer troubleshooting. When a company spokesperson was asked what exactly the recipe was for being successful for so many years, he asserted that religious adherence to HP standards and best customer service practices have helped them reach this far. He adjoined the fact that all of their technicians are HP certified and they are apt enough to handle any issue. And now they are getting geared up for offering cloud printing troubleshooting services to UK citizens.

3D printer vendor sees opportunities in Australia

Objet has appointed Objective 3D to distribute its 3D printer range, with the vendor aiming to double its market share in Australia in the next three years. Objet's 'PolyJet' products are inkjet-style 3D printers that use photopolymer to produce three-dimensional objects, which are then cured with ultraviolet light. "You can look at our printer as an inkjet printer but instead of two axes we are adding a z axis into the printer so we are printing a model layer by layer," said Winnie Chu, regional sales director for Asia Pacific.

Efficiently Combine Multiple PDF Files in One Go

PDF or Portable Document Format is one of the most commonly used format for data sharing or implementing restrictions related to the usage of the file. However, dealing with PDF sometimes requires you to combine small or split large size files. This warrants efficient software that can help you to meet such objective easily. Kernel for PDF split and Merge is a technologically advanced Tool that lets you achieve such endeavors without much effort. This tool allows you to split and combine PDFs in a rightful and convenient manner. This combine two pdf files software is a dual purpose tool that lets you split as well as combines two pdf files. This software is a standalone utility that does not require Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader to function. This software is an apt answer to combine two and more PDF files in one go.
Sharing data with other stakeholders is an all pervasive need that has led to the advent of PDF format that also goes on to satisfy other requirements such as maintaining data access related endeavors. Riding on the back of the ease-of-use and robustness, this software has gained immense popularity across all user classes such as professionals working in organization or individuals using it for personal purposes to combine two pdf files.
Now, merging or combining multiple PDF files into one is no more a tricky thing. This software allows to combine pdf files into one without any glitch. The software has been endowed with extremely easy-to-use and intuitive interface that makes splitting and combining just a matter of few clicks.

Konica Minolta Maintains Leadership in MFP Office Copier Category for Customer Loyalty

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A ., Inc. (Konica Minolta) has been awarded first place in the 2012 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index in the "MFP Office Copier" category for the fifth consecutive year. Each year, New York-based marketing consultancy Brand Keys publishes its Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, which surveys more than 49,000 Americans to determine how brands rank in customer loyalty. The 2012 Index examined customers' relationships with 600 brands in 83 categories. Other winning brands for 2012 include Apple, Coca-Cola, Facebook, Google, IBM, McDonald’s , UPS, and Walmart.
The 2012 Brand Keys research paints a detailed picture of the category drivers that engage customers, engender loyalty, and drive real profits. The Brand Keys methodology, which considered several competitors, asked customers to characterize their perfect product in the MFP Office Copier category, setting the standard for excellence. The 2012 Brand Keys research once again identified Konica Minolta as a leading brand for customer loyalty in the "MFP Office Copier" category when measured against the "Ideal" office copier.

Printronix and Ricoh Production Print Solutions (RPPS) Partnership Continues

Printronix, Inc. is continuing its partnership with Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC (RPPS) to support their line matrix and thermal bar code printing customers. RPPS, formerly known as InfoPrint Solutions Company, has discontinued sales and marketing of industrial printer hardware but will continue its outstanding service to its customer base with RPPS-branded service and supplies. Printronix continues to partner with RPPS by supplying RPPS original equipment manufactured service parts and supplies. Printronix has also launched a Transition Cross-Reference Guide for RPPS customers to ensure RPPS customers have a seamless path for expansion and replacement of hardware in the future.

PDF May Be Creating More Paperwork Than It Saves

A new study shows that while the exchange of PDF files as e-mail attachments has reduced the volume of paperwork traded between IT professionals, that reduction is not only minimal, but quite possibly made up for. Over three-quarters of IT professionals surveyed say one of the first things they do with a PDF-based invoice... is print it out. And after those 77% of AIIM's 395 respondents print out their invoices, some 16% then scan them right back into the system for use as PDF attachments... some 77% of whose recipients print them right back out again.

Darwill Installs Oce ColorStream 3500 Inkjet Printing System

Oce, a Canon Group Company and an international leader in digital document management, today announced that print provider Darwill has installed the Oce ColorStream 3500 Inkjet Printing System.  The move is already paying back for the Hillside, Illinois-based print and graphic communications company. "We're getting work we wouldn't have been considered for before," said Troy Van Dyke, Darwill co-owner and VP of sales and marketing. "It's definitely getting us into more sophisticated, longer run jobs and campaigns."
Founded in 1951, Darwill has made a name for itself in direct mail by continually changing, adapting and adding services to meet the evolving needs of its customers. An early adopter of digital printing technologies, the company continues to look for ways to differentiate and add value.
That mindset is precisely what prompted Darwill's purchase of the Oce ColorStream 3500 system. Previously, the company relied on pre-printed shells to add personalization to direct mail for its customers in retail, travel and higher education. "Our lines kept increasing," said Troy Van Dyke, Darwill co-owner and VP of sales and marketing. "We saw that the inkjet technology would help us streamline that whole operation, get rid of inventory and give us more flexibility with campaigns and personalization," he said. "The Oce ColorStream 3500 system makes our large scale production much more manageable now, and the system offers a scalable solution as our business grows."
Print providers like Darwill are increasingly choosing the Oce ColorStream 3500 system for versatility and performance in book publishing and transactional direct mail applications, according to Michael Poulin, Oce Product Marketing Manager. "The greatest benefit with the Oce ColorStream 3500 system is its flexibility," he said. "It allows you to easily switch from a monochrome system to a full-color system. That simplifies the transition from pre-printed shells to more sophisticated documents with variable personalization and color."

Canon U.S.A. Introduces Three High-Quality PIXMA Office All-in-One Printers at an Affordable Price

Canon U.S.A., Inc announced the addition of three PIXMA Office printers to the lineup: the MX512 Wireless All-In-One (AIO), MX432 Wireless AIO and the MX372 AIO. These new print, copy, scan and fax models help continue this tradition and are designed to provide users with the confidence that the final output will match the original concept.
Available for both new wireless models is the Canon Easy-PhotoPrint mobile app, for use with compatible Apple and Android smart phones and tablets, allowing documents to be scanned on the printer and sent directly to a compatible device. Users can print PDFs of documents that were created with the app directly from compatible devices, whereas in the past only photos could be printed.
With 802.11n Wi-Fi capability, the PIXMA MX512 and MX432 Wireless Office AIO Printer models are capable of a high-speed network transfer rate. Setting up a wireless network can be easily accomplished with the press of one button when using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Canon U.S.A. offers its award-winning service and support online for all of its consumers looking to set up any of its wireless products at www.usa.canon.com/wirelesshelp . Here, customers have access to video tutorials and manuals to assist in setting up a wireless printer.
When making the decision on which printer to purchase, an important factor that users look for is overall ease-of-use. Taking this into account, Canon has developed the FastFront system and an exposed user interface included on all three new printers. Located on the front of the printer, the FastFront system allows users to open the front panel of the printer to easily access both the ink and paper for easy replacement. Each printer utilizes the two-cartridge ChromaLife 100 ink system -- one black cartridge and one color cartridge-- providing high-quality prints on plain paper, while still delivering high-quality photo prints. With the exposed user interface, the user can scan or copy important documents without having to worry about the document blocking the control panel and buttons required to perform the task.

Canon U.S.A. Announces New PIXMA Printers with AirPrint Support

Canon U.S.A. announced AirPrint support in the PIXMA MX512 and MX432 Wireless Office All-In-One inkjet printers. AirPrint enables iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users to wirelessly print photos, email, web pages and documents without the need to install device drivers, saving time and enabling a seamless user experience. AirPrint will be available with the majority of Canon PIXMA Wireless All-In-One inkjet printers launched from this point forward. AirPrint works with iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch (3rd generation and later) running using iOS 4.2 or later.

Woman Receives Jaw Implant

An 83-year-old woman suffering from a lower jaw infection became the first person to receive a jaw implant manufactured with a 3D printer. Infections such as hers are normally remedied with reconstructive surgery, but doctor’s deemed the procedure too risky because of her age and health. Instead they turned to LayerWise, a company that specializes in 3D printing of metallic structures.

Protective Overcoat for Thermal Printheads Used in Digital Photo Printing

Kyocera Corporation announced the KC-91, a new protective overcoat that can be applied to Kyocera's thin-film thermal printheads commonly used in dye-sublimation printing applications such as the self-service digital photo printing machines increasingly found in public locations. Kyocera thermal printheads (up to a maximum A4-size) featuring the KC-91 protective overcoat will be sold starting Tuesday, February 7, 2012. The newly-developed KC-91 protective overcoat demonstrates the following advantages: A reduction in frictional resistance of approximately 50% over Kyocera's conventional overcoat1 which is made possible through Kyocera's proprietary assessment technology as well as improvements in the overcoat materials and film-formation conditions. The result is a reduction in the occurrence of 'wrinkles' in the dye-sub ink ribbon, even if the applied energy is increased by 20%, compared to printheads with conventional overcoats. The absolute value of the frictional resistance between the printhead and the ink ribbon is reduced by a maximum of 30%.  Resistance to adhesion of residues (burnt deposits of ink or ink ribbon back-coated agents) is increased by approximately six-fold, contributing to improvements in both print speed and print quality. And durability against thermo-chemical wear is increased four-fold, contributing to increased printhead service life.

PDF Review 2.0 released for iOS

Sander Weltje has announced the release of PDF Review 2.0, a solution for reviewing pdf documents on the iPad, iPhone and iPod. Reviewing can be a cumbersome task. Creating a spreadsheet with feedback where the line numbers have to match the numbers in the document. Browsing through the sheets and document for the feedback being discussed in the meeting. Collecting all feedback and ordering them manually by page and line number.
To make reviewing more productive PDF Review was created. It will keep the feedback and notes organized and relates to the document without the need of line numbers. Selecting the feedback from the list will automatically show the correct page and a highlighted area where the feedback applies. A review report will be generated and can be send to the author. Ordering the feedback from multiple reviewers will be done automatically when they are imported into Pdf Review. Feedback has a severity and a description which can be set by the reviewer. Authors can use the collected list of feedback to assign actions for the document. In short, PDF Review will let the user focus on providing and processing the feedback without the hassle of separate sheets and line numbers. Seeing is believing, so try the free version and convince yourself.
The organized list of notes and the ability to add comments for the whole document makes Pdf Review not only useful for reviews but also for writing a summary or cheat sheet while studying or reading pdf documents. Pdf Review was first released on April 2011 and had several updates containing feature requests from customers. With version 2.0, users can:

Samsung signs printer deal with California

Samsung Electronics Co., Korea’s leading tech firm, said Sunday it has won a three-year contract to supply printers to the state government of California. The company did not specify the amount of the deal, but said it will supply laser-jet printers to 150 government offices of California for the next three years. Samsung also said the deal marked the company’s largest contract with a government.

USB Wired Laser 1200 dpi Mouse Scanner

Konica Minolta Recalls Printers Due to Fire Hazard

Konica Minolta is aware of two reports of printers overheating. No injuries have been reported. The recall involves four desktop models of laser color printers: Magicolor 4750DN, Magicolor 3730DN, Bizhub C35 and Bizhub C35P. Model numbers are located on the plate attached to the side of the printer as well as the bottom of the front door. The printers are dark and light gray in color and have "Konica Minolta" printed on the top of the front door.

Canon to make laser printers in the Philippines

Japan's Canon will be building a laser printer production plant in the Philippines given an expected rise in demand, the consumer electronics firm announced on Tuesday. The multinational said it would be investing ¥18 billion (P10.128 billion) to set up Canon Business Machines (Philippines), Inc., which will be located at a 30.1-hectare property in the First Philippines Industrial Park in Batangas.

Android Based App Allows Mobile Users to Create PDF Documents

Foxit Corporation, a provider of solutions for reading, editing, creating, organizing, and securing PDF documents, announced Foxit PDFCreator, an online PDF creation app for Android devices that converts Microsoft Office and popular file formats to high-quality PDF documents. PDFCreator is available on the Amazon Appstore for Android and the Google Android Market.

World's First PostScript and PDF Line Matrix Printer

Printronix, Inc., the worldwide leader in business-critical printing solutions, today launched the world's first PostScript and PDF line matrix printer through the introduction of its new OpenPrint technology. Compatible with today's modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) environments, including Oracle, SAP, Linux and Windows, OpenPrint is now enabled on Printronix's P7000 High Definition (HD) Cartridge Series of Line Matrix Printers. This marks the first time that a high volume, mission critical printer technology has been brought to market combining the flexibility and enhanced graphic performance of PostScript and PDFwith the unmatched reliability, the lowest cost of printing and unique environmental advantages of line matrix printers.
OpenPrint supports fail-proof printing for manufacturing, banking, supply chain and back office users with advanced graphics controllable from any major graphical user interface (GUI) design program. The OpenPrint(TM) P7000HD family of line matrix printers produce scannable bar codes, high quality text and fonts - from six point to poster size - within the printer, resulting in enhanced form readability and utility. The introduction of PostScript and PDF capabilities allows line matrix users to continue to rely on Printronix printers when migrating to modern IT environments, without requiring complicated network installed print drivers.

OKI Data Americas to Showcase Affordable and Efficient Printing Solutions

OKI Data Americas announced its participation in the upcoming TCEA 2012 Convention and Exposition, February 6-10, 2012 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. There OKI will demonstrate selected color, monochrome and multifunction devices from its broad and award-winning portfolio, accompanied by solutions developed by OKI specifically for use within the education setting. OKI products and related solutions allow schools to maintain a vibrant and cost-conscious learning environment while streamlining processes, increasing document output security, and controlling printing-related expenditures.
OKI's commitment to education is long-standing, as evidenced by the company's dedication to delivering quality products and innovative solutions to the marketplace. As an industry leader in printing solutions for education, OKI offers personalized service, superior customer support, and a high degree of product customization to meet each customer's unique and evolving needs.

Global Large Format Printer (LFP) Market worth $12.5 Billion by 2016

According to a new market research report, "Global Large (Wide) Format Inkjet Printer Market Forecast by Width, Hardware, Media and Ink 2011 - 2016" published by MarketsandMarkets, the total LFP market is expected to reach $12.5 billion by 2016 at a CAGR of 5.7%.
Large format printing has taken a huge toll in recent times, after the recession occurred in the year 2008-09. In current scenario, more and more companies are striving for marketing and advertisement of their product line at a competitive price. Here comes the role of large format printer.
Large format printer offers varieties of applications such as banners, hoardings, indoor and outdoor signage. Speed, flexibility, cost effectiveness and customer reach are the key drivers of large format printer market. Companies are now striving for cost of ownership in large format printing by using economical and eco-friendly ink type, so that companies can save more cost by choosing suitable ink type.
Compared to earlier consumer-oriented color printers, inkjets have a number of advantages. They are quieter in operation than impact dot matrix or daisywheel printers. They can print finer, smoother details through higher printhead resolution, and many consumer inkjets with photographic-quality printing are widely available.
In comparison to more expensive technologies like thermal wax, dye sublimation, and laser printing, inkjets have the advantage of practically no warm up time, and lower cost per page. However, low-cost laser printers can have lower per-page costs, at least for black-and-white printing, and possibly for color.
For some inkjet printers, monochrome ink sets are available either from the printer manufacturer or from third-party suppliers. These allow the inkjet printer to compete with the silver-based photographic papers traditionally used in black-and-white photography, and provide the same range of tones - neutral, "warm" or "cold". When switching between full-color and monochrome ink sets, it is necessary to flush out the old ink from the print head with a cleaning cartridge. Special software or at least a modified device driver is usually required, to deal with the different color mapping.

Xerox Announces the 7600i Multipurpose Flatbed Scanner

For photo enthusiasts or small and home offices looking for a color scanner that's ultra slim, portable and easy to use, Xerox Corporation announced the Xerox 7600i, a compact flatbed scanner that conveniently plugs into their computer's USB port.
Priced at only $99.99, the device can scan up to 1200 x 1200 dpi in 48-bit color and comes bundled with a suite of document and image management software that streamlines scanning processes.
The Xerox 7600i scanner includes Visioneer OneTouch scanning technology to eliminate the multiple steps usually required to send scanned documents or photos to an application. With OneTouch scanning technology users can touch one button and complete the scanning task, not just launch the program.
The Xerox 7600i scanner includes three front panel buttons to scan, copy, and e-mail. The buttons are pre-configured at the optimal settings for these most common scanning tasks, enabling first-time users to begin scanning immediately. Users can quickly customize any of the buttons for even more functionality or to suit their own scanning needs and preferences.