Konica Minolta has introduced the AccurioPress C7100 and C7090, two SRA3+ toner presses that offer 100 and 90ppm respectively, with a variety of automation and quality control features and inline finishing options.

The new machines sit between the C4080 entry-level models introduced in December 2020 and the high volume C14000 launched in October 2019, and complete the update of the company’s toner press lineup, replacing the current C6100. A number of durability improvements have been made within the print engine and associated paper handling, some taken from the C14000, while other ‘shared platform’ aspects of the design of the C7100 with its smaller sibling mean that bringing Konica Minolta’s technical support staff up to speed should be straightforward.

The use of Simitri V toner is said to lead to lower power consumption thanks to a lower fusing temperature, and reduced maintenance, while better supporting thick or textured media. It has a more matt appearance and improved electrostatic characteristics for use with plastic substrates. The colour set, as with the other toner presses, is CMYK only, with no announced plans to introduce support for clear, white or neon colours, though these are things that KM is ‘seriously considering’.

On-the-fly quality control for register, paper defects and colour consistency via the optional IQ-501 unit is offered and Konica Minolta expects a high proportion – probably over three quarters – of C7100 purchasers to take this option. The press prints at 2400 x an ‘equivalent’ 3600dpi. There is a choice of four DFEs – KM’s own IC-609, a couple of EFI Fiery options and a Creo model suitable for integration with Kodak Prinergy and other prepress workflow environments, particularly for variable data printing applications. Another optional productivity enhancement is the IM-101 Intelligent Media Sensor which detects media type and retrieves appropriate press settings automatically.

Eduardo Cotichini, senior manager Professional Print at KM Europe, emphasised the degree of automation and ease-of-use possible with the new machine, though much of this is dependent on optional modules: for example, with the PF-812 paper feeder it is possible to auto-duplex banner sheets to length of 900mm, on weights up to 300gsm, supporting eight-page A4 folded leaflets, book jackets or A4 square booklets to be produced. Up to 2300 sheets of this size can be held in the feeders or 3700 sheets of paper up to 480mm in length. It is also possible to run maximum weight stocks of any supported size with no speed reduction, Mr Cotichini noted.

The inline TU-501 four-edge trimmer / creaser introduced alongside the C4080 press last year allows for a wide variety of  finished products to be produced, or fed on into other finishing units from KM, such as a saddle-stitcher, wire binder or perfect binder.

The AccurioPress C7100 and C7090 are both immediately available across Europe.