Japan’s Kyocera exhibited its inkjet production printing device, the TASKalfa Pro 15000c, at the recently concluded virtual.drupa 2021. The press installed in the company’s European experience was demonstrated to the virtual visitors. Kyocera entered the inkjet commercial print production market with the TASKalfa Pro 15000c in November 2019.
During the company’s virtual sessions on 20 April and 22 April, Kyocera’s print manager, Marcel Ebbenhorst, spoke about the ease of use, productivity, and quality that can be achieved with the press and explained how it could improve the revenues of print businesses of all shapes and sizes.
“Kyocera’s decision to move into production print is a strategic decision, and we plan to expand this business in the near future,” Ebbenhorst said. Kyocera is a renowned supplier of inkjet heads and manufactures digital presses for label and flexible packaging applications. Its technology is used in several vendor’s high-speed inkjet systems.
He explained that the company’s inkjet printhead legacy and partnerships with EFI Fiery and Solimar Systems reflect its domain and operational knowledge in making the technology work productively. He described potential market segments such as direct mail for their strong potential for positive one-to-one customer communication. Quality print and attractive materials help brands stand out, and higher quality inkjet print is now available in larger quantities. With the TASKalfa Pro 15000c, organizations can truly benefit from Kyocera’s innovation, he said.
What the Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000c offers
According to Kyocera, the Pro 15000c press offers two high-capacity feeders which can handle 2,400 sheets per tray using vacuum and air separation technology for reliable throughput at maximum press speeds. There is an option to add another multipurpose tray for banner printing.
The press offers a drying unit which dries sheets in tandem at 58 degrees Celsius. The high-capacity stacking unit can handle 5,000 sheets with the capacity to add more if required. There are three in-line finishing options – one for small run work, one for stacking, and one for booklet making with stapling and punching.
The digital press runs at a maximum speed of 150 A4 pages a minute at 600×600 dpi resolution on paper sizes ranging from A6 to SRA3. The paper substance weights it accepts range from 56 to 360 gsm. The Pro 15000c comes with a standard Kyocera onboard controller. However, a digital front end (DFE) from EFI Fiery is available as an option.
Ebbenhorst did not provide the number of installations of the TASKalfa Pro 15000c but said that the numbers were ‘nice.’ Nevertheless, he did acknowledge that the installations worldwide are below the company’s target – mainly due to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. “The machines that are already in the field are performing well and living up to their promise,” he added.
