Konica Minolta launches new B2 inkjet press, the KM-1e HD

Langenhagen, Germany | 2 February 2022

Konica Minolta launches AccurioJet KM-1e HD LED UV Inkjet Press and continues to expand presence in Packaging, Commercial Print and Industrial Sectors



Konica Minolta has announced the launch of a new B2 inkjet press, its AccurioJet KM-1e High Definition (HD) model, an evolution of the AccurioJet KM-1e that will contribute to further expanding Konica Minolta customers’ businesses.


By incorporating new HD technology, improvements have been made to the quality of production for the AccurioJet KM-1e. These include the skin tones, uniformity of solid backgrounds and reproduction of textures, with a ‘best in the industry’ image quality. Photobooks, artbooks and digital package printing are among niche markets suitable for the new model.
 
Since unveiling the AccurioJet KM-1 B2+ perfecting sheetfed, full colour UV inkjet digital press in 2016, Konica Minolta has continually supported its customers’ business transformation and expansion. The company’s primary objective of staying close to its customers has allowed it to build on its proprietary technologies.
 
In 2020, the KM-1e was launched, enabling high value-added printing with improved connectivity to third-party vendor post-processing and a wider range of substrates. Uncoated, coated, art coated paper, coloured and metallic papers, transparency media, plastic media, canvas and stone paper are all substrates that can be used on the machine.
 
Konica Minolta’s AccurioJet KM-1e LED UV Inkjet Press, which has been referred to as the Swiss Army Knife of printing because it has so many uses, has received INGEDE deinking certification for both uncoated and coated papers, which includes recycled qualities. Most recently the device earned Idealliance® Master Elite ISO/PAS 15339 System Certification, confirming its capability to meet the colour space requirements specified by the Characterized Reference Print Conditions (CRPC) of ISO/PAS 15339.
 
Drawing upon these strengths, Konica Minolta’s AccurioJet KM-1e HD new model has further enhanced its appeal for applications such as photo- and artbooks. Working closely with customers’ existing post-processing machines, Konica Minolta worked in partnership to customise the connection systems. In addition to the technical side, areas such as analysing machine operation status and productivity improvements have been developed in close cooperation with customers.
 
In Europe, the first customer of Konica Minolta’s AccurioJet KM-1e HD model has been announced as Werner Druck AG as part of its expansion in the personalised packaging and finishing markets. Werner Druck & Medien has also ordered an MGI JetVarnish 3D and a motion cutter.
 
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.”
 
“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,” said Hidetoshi Omo, Head of Centre of Competence KM-1, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe. “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.”
 
Mr Omo added: “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.”

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About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe


Konica Minolta’s journey started 150 years ago, with a vision to see and do things differently. We innovate for the good of society and the world. The same purpose that kept us moving then, keeps us moving now.


Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, based in Langenhagen, Germany, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan. With its unique expertise in imaging, data processing and data-based decision making, Konica Minolta creates relevant solutions for its customers - small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises and public sector - and solves issues faced by society.


As a digital workplace solution provider, Konica Minolta helps its clients to identify and unlock the potential digitalisation holds and reach the next level in the digital maturity of their organisation by rethinking the workplace. In support of an ‘Intelligent connected workplace’, Konica Minolta offers cloud, IT, managed print and video solution services for remote working, collaboration, workflow management and automation and security. The company’s success in driving transformation is also confirmed by IDC, since the ‘IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Print Transformation 2020 Vendor Assessment’ stated that Konica Minolta is ‘recognised globally as a leader in print transformation’. Konica Minolta has been a Microsoft Global Managed Partner since 2021.


Konica Minolta's Igniting Print Possibilities offering helps printers, converters and brand owners maximise workflow automation to increase efficiency. The company delivers consultancy in all communication matters as well as top-of-the-line production, packaging as well as label printers. Its finishing devices create print products that stand out and create added value. Konica Minolta has established itself as the production printing market leader for more than a decade in Europe (InfoSource).


For an increasing number of organisations, success today is more than the narrow definition of financial prosperity – it also includes protecting the environment and having a positive impact on their workforce as well as the societies they are embedded in. With its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Konica Minolta has pledged to consistently pursue its sustainability and social responsibility goals.


The company has been repeatedly recognised for its rich history of social contribution as well as for working towards achieving the SDGs throughout its business and supply chain. Konica Minolta is listed among “2022 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World” and received the highest level in EcoVadis Sustainability Ratings.


For its innovative service approach that complements their devices perfectly, Konica Minolta was awarded the prestigious ‘Buyers Lab PaceSetter Award for Serviceability and Support 2020/2021’ from Keypoint Intelligence.


Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is represented by subsidiaries and distributors in more than 80 countries in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. With approximately 8,700 employees (as of April 2022), Konica Minolta Europe earned net sales of over EUR 1.9 billion in financial year 2021/2022.


Worldwide, the company has over 39,000 employees and is operating in over 150 countries.


For more information, please visit https://www.konicaminolta.eu/eu-en/news and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook and YouTube.


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