Konica Minolta revealed, at the end of January 2018, an important market update for its AccurioJet KM-1 inkjet digital press, which was commercially launched at drupa in 2016. More than 30 worldwide installations have been achieved, including new ones in Europe for January and February this year.
The first installation in Poland went live in January 2018, and an announcement on a significant agreement in France is due to be made in early February. New business partnerships and branding for patented technology have also been announced as Konica Minolta continues to expand and grow market share in industrial and commercial print markets.
Dot Freeze Technology is the new name for a special process for Konica Minolta’s AccurioJet KM-1 B2 press where the ability to ‘freeze’ the inkjet dot enables perfect registration of colors and image stability. Customers confirm a delta E color shift of no more than 1.5, which happens to be a major advantage for new customers to invest in this platform.
Other major plans for the Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1 include a fully automated inline finishing solution in partnership with Rollem International. The UK-based company will be providing the bridge that enables customers wanting to automate their print processes and connect with other third-party finishing devices. These include US-based Harris and Bruno International, provider of high performance printing and coating equipment, which has become a chosen approved partner to overcoat KM-1 prints.
Five other companies have also been unveiled as official partners working with Konica Minolta on the development of its AccurioJet KM-1 system. They are:
• UK-based MIS provider Tharstern, which also has major operations in the USA and Australia;
• ITOTEC Ltd., a cutting machine manufacturer in Japan;
• France-based Alwan Color Expertise, the global specialist in color management, standardisation and process control software;
• Scissor Hands, from Las Vegas, with its artificial intelligence technology has brought evolution to cutting work on the AccurioJet KM-1, while DaVinciDesigner, USA, an online print 3D proofer, provides special embossed finishes and textures. Both are part of Opensoft;
• Ultimate TechnoGraphics Inc. This US company develops and distributes cutting-edge technology to automate and facilitate imposition and finishing for the graphic arts industry.
Mark Hinder, head of Market Development, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said, “We are progressing significantly and meeting our sales objectives with having reached more than 30 installations worldwide. Feedback from customers using our technology has not only proved that the Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1 can sustain high quality and reliability, but is also providing customers with a unique platform to grow their business.
“This B2 digital press is becoming the Swiss Army knife of the printing world because it has so many uses. It is providing our customers with the tool helping to unlock new applications, some of which probably required many different techniques to produce in the past.”
He added, “Our customers never cease to amaze us with the innovative applications they develop with our technology driven by imagination to deliver more.”
Daniel Baier, managing director of Rehms Druck, based in Germany, said, “Our customers have been very impressed by the results we delivered on the Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1. Choosing the KM-1 has offered us huge chances for business development. We’ve never looked back. And we’re confident of getting a return on investment in three years.”
