Konica Minolta recently unveiled a perfect binder finishing option for the bizhub Pro C6500/C6500P series called the PB-501, which the company says will “redefine publishing.”

The binder uses a hot-melt gluing technology that ensures consistency from page to page. In conjunction with the Pro C6500/C6500P series, the binder can output up to 65 colour pages per minute, depending on the thickness of the book.

The PB-501 is available with a price tag of $35,000.

Also from Konica Minolta comes a new single-pass duplex cut printing system, the bizhub Pro 2500P, designed for the in-plant and commercial markets. It has a monthly duty cycle up to eight million impressions, and with maximum configuration, it will hold 13,800 sheets. The Pro 2500P can also print 160 legal, 250 letter, and 132 ledger-size images per minute. Look for it this summer.
Contact: www.konicaminolta.ca

Sun Chemical has launched a new series of low VOC inks called Earth, made from vegetable oil, soybean, and linseed. Each Earth ink produces 2% VOCs with vegetable oil content in the range of 38% to 51%. Sun Chemical says these inks still offer excellent performance, dot fidelity and high-trap efficiency. They also have a wide water window and transfer well.
Contact: www.sunchemical.com

EFI has expanded its QS superwide line of printers with the addition of four-and six-colour configurations to its QS2000 and QS3200 digital UV presses. Both print at 1,080 dpi on substrates up to 3.2 m wide and 2" thick. They can both changeover from rigid to flexible substrates in under a minute and use EFI’s QS Series UV inks. Both the QS 4C and 6C models are upgradeable.
Contact: www.efi.com

Mutoh America’s new ValueJet 1618 64" dual-headed printer boasts speeds up to 334 sq. ft. per hour and uses the company’s Eco-Ultra ink. Ideal for coated and uncoated substrates up to 63.97" wide and 67 lbs., the ValueJet prints directly to banners, POP displays and full-colour posters. It uses Mutoh’s drop-on-demand piezo drive method and the Intelligent Interweaving Print Technology, which increases speeds, and eliminates banding and ink mottle. Expect models to ship in July.
Contact: www.mutoh.com

B&R Moll has upgraded its Standard 2000 folder/gluer system to include an improved roll-up standard stacker, suction air pile feeder and a motorized table. The system also features a belt drive for smoothness and reduced noise, and Moll’s Super-Grip fold rollers with movable segments for clean and quick set-ups. The Standard 2000 needs only one operator, and stainless steel is used throughout to ward off marring.
Contact: www.mollbrothers.com

Able to handle a range of paper, and priced at less than US$9,000 comes the Illumina 502, the latest offering from Xanté.
An upgraded version of the previous Ilumina, the 502 can print on weights up to 502 gsm, and is suited for short-run, full-colour jobs ranging from business cards to packaging.
It can also print on a variety of substrates like textured canvas, magnetic and cast-coated stocks up to 12.9" x 24".
Contact: www.xante.com

New from Goss International, the JF-65 SQF combination folder for the Goss M-600 web press models achieves speeds up to 65,000 copies per hour and comes equipped with single stream delivery for tabloid and magazine jobs. Because there is only one chopper to adjust, folding is consistent from copy to copy with less setting and maintenance. Other features of the JF-65 SQF include a web-severing device to handle paper jams, and a three-part jaw-folding cylinder to accommodate a variety of stocks.
Contact: www.gossinternational.com