What does the machine do?
The 5500 is the flagship continuous-feed inkjet printer in Canon’s Océ’s stable. It is part of the ‘Wide’ series and offers a web width of 762mm. The 5500 is set apart from rivals by its speed of 254 linear metres per minute (mpm), according to Canon. The other machines in the range are the 150mpm JetStream 3300 and the 200mpm JetStream 4300.
When was it launched and what market is it aimed at?
It was launched in November 2012 in Europe. “The key market area for the 5500 is graphic arts including newspapers and on-demand book production,” says Canon Professional Print marketing manager Damian Schaller. As well as books, it is also suitable for digital newspaper printing, though this is not the key focus. It is unlikely to be used for transactional and direct mail because the investment in finishing kit to take advantage of the wider web negates the advantages of its high throughput.
How does it work?
Paper is taken from the reel in the unwinder and fed through the print engine and dryer. From there it can be re-wound for offline finishing or pass into an inline finishing system. It is a two-unit machine and its paper path eliminates the need for turner bars.
The alliance of Canon Professional Print (CPP) with Manroland has resulted in an inline folder for book printing, which produces book blocks ready for binding. It can rapidly change format with minimal waste; can produce four-, six-, and eight-page signatures at full press speed; and supports book sizes of 90x145mm to 250x420mm, thicknesses of 4-72mm and paper weights of 45-150gsm.
How does it differ from previous models?
Width, unsurprisingly, sets the Wide series apart from the competition, while speed sets the 5500 apart from its sister machines. Canon aims to capitalise on its heritage in continuous-feed print to ensure delivery of this offering is truly successful. While colour inkjet is a recent development, the firm’s experience with mono and toner means it understands the market and has skills and technologies in paper transport, and workflow – notably the Prisma controller used to drive its presses.
How productive is it?
The printer runs at 254mpm, which, running to a sheeter, means it can churn out 30,000 B2 sheet per hour, or 5,140 A4 pages per minute. While the ability to shift paper that fast is no mean feat, “the ability to get the throughput is down to advances in the ability of Prisma production software,” says Schaller.
What is the USP of the product?
Speed. No other continuous-feed printer can reach 254mpm, although the resolution in the web direction is lowered to 480dpi when the printer hits that pace. It’s still no slouch at its standard 600dpi, reaching 200mpm.
How much does it cost?
“The JetStream 5500 is a highly customisable high-volume production system with a vast range of options to match our customers’ workflow and printing requirements, which includes the Manroland finishing options, a fifth colour and the choice of dye or pigment inks. Pricing is available upon request through the dedicated high-volume inkjet team at CPP,” says Schaller.
What is the sales target in Australia?
Canon Professional Print says it is engaging with book printers and newspaper producers in Oceania, and aims to install four systems in the region.
Specifications
Max web speed 600x480dpi: 254mpm; apparent 1,200dpi: 200mpm
Web width 762mm
Contact Canon Professional Print, 13 23 53, www.canon.com.au
The alternatives
HP Inkjet Web Press T360
HP highlights its 1,200dpi resolution and adds that the bonding agent enables the use of standard stock. Those that need higher throughput or larger format can plump for the T410.
Max web speed Colour: 183mpm; mono: 220mpm
Web width 762mm
Contact HP Australia, www.hp.com/go/inkjetwebpress
KBA RotaJet 76
KBA teamed up with RR Donnelley for its inkjet know-how, the first result being the RotaJet. Since Drupa, KBA has enhanced the drier and introduced new inks.
Maximum web speed 150mpm
Web width 781mm
Contact KBA, (02) 4626 4400, www.kba.com
Kodak Prosper 5000XLi
Optional inline optimisation enables the use of standard offset stocks for a better match to offset work and lower operating costs.
Maximum web speed 200m/min
Web width 648mm
Contact Kodak Australia, 1300 456 325, graphics.kodak.com/au/en/default.htm
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