On Demand Conference & Expo: April 16-19, Boston

After two successful years in Philadelphia, the annual On Demand Conference & Expo makes its debut at the Boston Convention & Exposition Center on April 16-19. The digital printing event encompasses technol-ogies used to create, manage, personalize, print and deliver content. Among this year's numerous digital press exhibitors, a number have recent initiatives, including IBM/Ricoh, HP, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Océ, Xeikon and Xerox. (Also see FrontLine, p.7.)

Last month, IBM introduced a new set of production printers that build on the momentum generated earlier this year by the announcement of InfoPrint Solutions, a joint venture between IBM's Printing Systems Division and Ricoh Corp. Available by the end of March, the Infoprint 5000 full-color, variable-data continuous web printing system (shown) is said to be ideal for transactional printers, service bureaus, direct mailers and some book printers, who will be able to cost-effectively print large volumes of variable-data documents in full color. The machine's capabilities will enable production of statements with marketing/promotional information, direct mail, marketing materials and books. Additionally, the manufacturer claims that the 5000's speed and quality may enable the migration of many offset jobs to customized, short-run digital output, helping to improve turnaround times and reduce costs.

The device employs piezo-electric, drop-on-demand inkjet technology with water-based pigment inks that resist fading and smearing. A tight paper web also contributes to excellent inkjet print quality.

Using a controller powered by an IBM server, the 5000 is available in simplex or tandem duplex configurations. It features a 20.4´´ web with up to 19.96´´ print width, and is designed to deliver 720×360-dpi resolution.

IBM also recently introduced the monochrome Infoprint 4100 MD1/MD2, continuous-form models for transactional printers, service bureaus, direct mailers and book printers. For the first time, an entry-level 4100 will be driven by the Infoprint Power Controller—a 64-bit, multi-processing controller that enables run speeds up to 175 fpm. Clients also can utilize the color-emulation feature to print from full-color workflows without time-consuming transforms or duplicate resource libraries.

Digital finishing promises big news at the show, with displays from Acme Bookbinding, Baumfolder, Binding Products, C.P. Bourg, Digifolders, Duplo, ExactBind, ISP, Morgana, Rollem and Technifold.

Standard Finishing Systems (Booth No. 1201) will show the Standard Horizon BQ-470, a fully automated perfect binder that produces up to 1,350 books per hour—with four clamps that travel on a vertical elliptical track. The binder's 10.4´´ LCD touch-screen is used to provide stepper motor-controlled automation to the professional-quality, mid-range binding market. It can bind books up to 2½´´ thick, and interchangeable glue tanks support both EVA and PUR adhesives. www.sdmc.com

An innovative accessory, from Graphic Technology Inc., is a cassette set stacker for cut-sheet printers, including the Xerox DocuTech. The system “docks” with a printer and receives full document sets in collated order. The cassette can then be undocked quickly and moved to a binder or inserter, where it can feed the complete set automatically. Software tracks all document pages via barcode so that the contents of each cassette are known. GTI showed the cassettes at Graph Expo last fall, and similar container items may be showcased.

On Demand keynote speakers of interest include Charlie Pesko, president of InfoTrends, who will give a state-of-the-industry address entitled “Opportunities in a Fragmented Market.” His premise: The printing industry is experiencing an identity crisis about what we are and what we need to become.

Today's market is fragmented between those who believe it is a service business and those who still view it as a manufacturing business, according to Pesko. What is the correct path to future success? The answer isn't to focus on service or manufacturing, but to develop a third way that combines the best of both models.

His presentation will highlight successful printers, assess market opportunity and provide a market update. Another keynoter is Stephen Dubner, author of The New York Times best-selling book Freakonomics.

On April 17, the Best of Show Awards will feature exhibitor product entries. Winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall theater.

Go to www.graphicartsmonthly.com for details on last month's HP Digital Solutions Cooperative (Dscoop) annual conference, which was attended by more than 500 users.