Basildon UK, 5 February 2007
With the great success of the bizhub PROC6500e Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd has launched its new compact bizhub PRO C6500 into the central reprographic sector where speed, quality, and versatility are high requirements.

With simpler paper supply and finishing options, the compact bizhub PRO C6500 is also aimed at the advertising and the graphic arts markets. Although the bizhub PRO C6500 is the entry-level version it still offers a maximum print production speed of 65 A4 prints a minute in either colour or back and white.

The bizhub PRO C6500 combines extensive media flexibility with high-speed production and a smaller footprint for locations where space is limited. A wide range of online finishing options and creative software allows graphic artists and other users to produce and manipulate workflow documents.

Professional and simple operation makes the compact bizhub PRO C6500 ideal for the central reprographic arena. Programming for example is straightforward and intuitive via the large full-colour operator panel that provides clear and easy access to all functions. At the same time its sturdy, metal construction ensures absolute dependability.

The bizhub PRO C6500 is designed for average monthly output volumes of 50,000 pages or more. Paper processing is fast and ultra-smooth. Thanks to Konica Minolta’s ‘air-assist’ paper feeding technology media flexibility is extensive, covering a wide range of substrates, such as paper up to 300gsm, coated paper, card and digital offset stock.

With standard paper capacity of up to 1,750 sheets and an optional large-capacity unit giving a maximum 4,250 sheets, the bizhub PRO C6500 is suitable for long print runs and continuous production. Dehumidification heaters on each paper tray, as well as a double feed detection mechanism ensure paper feed reliability. Both paper and toner can be replenished ‘on the fly’, without the need to stop production on the system.

Equipped with an optional embedded EFI Fiery controller, the bizhub PRO C6500 delivers professional print results of exceptional quality quickly and efficiently. The IC-408 controller features EFI’s highly efficient Fiery colour management system providing users with an extensive standard range of powerful utilities for high-volume applications. Designed for high-speed colour printing, the IC-408 Fiery controller offers variable data printing support and an extensive range of security features ensuring complete data security control, including access to the controller itself.

The bizhub PRO C6500 is available with a range of flexible finishing options. The optional booklet finisher will automate the production of booklets and brochures, providing in-line half-fold and saddle stitching functionality. Booklets can up to 20 sheets thick for a maximum 80 pages document. Multi-position stapling for up to 50 sheets per stapled set is part of the booklet finisher’s standard functionality.

A post inserter is also available to automate insertion of pre-printed covers into documents printed on the bizhub PRO C6500. Other finishing options include a letter folding unit and in-line punching for two or four holes.

The bizhub PRO C6500 uses Konica Minolta’s innovative Simitri HD polymerised toner to give outstanding print quality and resolution. Polymerised toner particles are finer and more uniform in shape than conventional pulverised toner. This produces images that are sharper with more definition on text reproduction and finer dot gradations for halftones. Colour graphics also have improved solid fill, colour saturation and density.

Commenting on the bizhub PRO C6500 launch, Jos Kelly, Head of Production Print for Konica Minolta said, “Demand for the bizhub PRO 6500e has been high since its recent launch, but we are aware that some customers want its speed, quality and reliability, but don’t require the full paper supply and extensive finishing options. The bizhub PRO C6500 allows us to meet that demand with its smaller footprint and a more economic price tag, without any reduction in system performance. We anticipate high demand from the graphic design sector for the compact bizhub PRO C6500”.

Ends.