Konica Minolta has developed a high-definition (HD) version of its AccurioJet KM-1e B2 inkjet press, intended to help customers expand their capabilities and businesses.
With a claimed ‘best in the industry’ image quality, photobooks, artbooks and digital package printing are amongst the markets identified as suitable for the new AccurioJet KM-1e HD.
AccurioJet KM-1e HD builds on the original KM1 model, launched at drupa 2016, and 2020’s launch of the KM-1e. By incorporating new HD technology, improvements have been made to the quality of production off the press. These include skin tones, uniformity of solid backgrounds and reproduction of textures.
As well as HD capability to improve output quality, Konica Minolta has sought to improve integration of the press with customers’ existing post-processing machines. In addition to the technical side, areas such as analysing machine operation status and productivity improvements have been developed in close cooperation with customers.
Hidetoshi Omo from Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said, ‘Inheriting the customer-oriented history of the KM-1, the new high quality HD model will contribute to further expansion of the customers’ applications and business. By using HD, it is possible to improve the smoothness of skin, the uniformity of solid backgrounds, and the reproduction of textures. The image quality has now reached the top level in the industry. There is no difference in RIP times and we expect any change in ink consumption to be negligible.’
In Europe, the first customer for AccurioJet KM-1e HD model has been confirmed as Germany’s Werner Druck, as part of the company’s expansion into personalised packaging and finishing. An MGI JetVarnish 3D and a Motioncutter have also been ordered.
Werner Druck managing director Roger Kessler said, ‘We decided on this total solution because we see great potential in the packaging and finishing market in the coming years. With this combination of equipment, we are now very well positioned to ideally meet market demands in this area.’
Mr Omo continued, ‘The AccurioJet KM-1e and KM-1e HD models are key pillars in our strategy to help our customers rethink creativity. Working closely in partnership, we want to help them shape and seize the many new opportunities digitalisation brings along, supporting the trend to switch from offset to inkjet printing in a growth market.’
