This year’s Widthwise survey showed that when it came to R&D, you wanted manufacturers to place an onus on reducing the running costs of large-format printers. So are they?
One of the key findings in the technology section of Image Reports’ annual Widthwise survey was that when it came to where print companies most wanted to see printer manufacturers put their R&D spend, it was in reducing the running costs of the large-format printers they make. So of course, we asked a number of key players about where this issue currently figures in their R&D strategy and what they are doing to try and make the kit more efficient. Some where happy to outline their thoughts and actions, but from many quarters the response was a deafening silence which can only leave one to wonder about the kind of feedback potential customers get from suppliers when they ask the sam, increasingly asked, question!
Gill Mussell, LFP product manager, at Canon UK was one of the few that put a figure to R&D spend, saying: “Canon invests about nine percent of worldwide sales revenue on research and development every year. In terms of R&D for large-format printers, reducing running costs is one of the areas we are looking at when developing products, but we’re also looking at areas such as productivity and managing print costs.
“In the Canon imagePrograf iPF6300S and iPF8300S, launched in April this year, we introduced an ‘Economy’ mode that enables more cost-effective printing by reducing ink consumption by up to 50%. Another area being looked at is of course energy consumption. All Canon imagePrograf printers are Energy Star qualified and automatically switch into an energy-saving ‘Standby’ mode after not being used for a specified time.
“We’re also working on helping our users of our large-format solutions work more productively which is why they include things like audio notification when the high capacity ink tanks need to be replaced, something that can be done during a print job, thanks to Canon’s ‘Hot Swap’ ink system. This product can also send email notifications to the user’s computer or mobile phone when jobs are finished, when errors occur or when consumables need to be replaced.”
Tudor Morgan, European group marketing manager, graphics, at Fujifilm Sericol, says of R&D and running costs: “Fujifilm’s Digital Print Group, based in Tokyo, researches inkjet technologies among other areas. Based on customer feedback, a dominant concern of wide-format printers is, understandably, machinery running costs, and Fujifilm is committed to ongoing technology research that can help print service providers reduce these overheads as much as possible.”
At Roland, which prides itself on offering “a complete solution” that includes the LFP and its components, to the inks in it and to the software driving it, “gentle modifications” model on model in terms of features and functions aimed at helping users to maximize what it terms “efficiencies, production and profit” are highlighted rather than feedback on R&D strategy about minimizing machine running costs as such.
For example, it points to the latest VersaCamm VS models that use advanced media handling systems for accurate feeding and tracking through long production runs without the need of operator intervention – a reduced running cost if you like. Developments like the company’s OnSupport - a new feature which alerts you when ink is low or a job is complete straight to your computer or smart phone - also helps.
When asked about R&D spend to reduce machine running costs Mimaki distributor Hybrid Services focuses its comment on key developments of recent years, like the use of LEDs in Mimaki’s range of UV inkjet printers which mean a significant reduction in power consumption - as well as increased bulb life and improved workflow.
An increase in size of the UV printer inks sacks, a reduction in plastic packaging and beneficial volume pricing has also lowered ink and shipping costs. Mimaki offers its Bulk Ink System for use with the majority of its outdoor durable printers and dye-sublimation machines, and the Mimaki two litre ink sacks typically save around 20% on ink costs – making for a substantial cut in overall running costs.
Of course, ensuring that your large format printer runs as profitably as possible is not solely tied to running costs, but the lower the better. If there’s any specific area you feel needs attention when it comes printer efficiency, get in touch.