By Jamie Bsales, Associate Editor, October 1, 2009
The first wave of MFPs in the new imageRUNNER ADVANCE series was introduced at the Canon Integrated Solutions Showcase 2009 in Las Vegas recently. The more than 1,500 dealers, customers and partners who gathered for the two-day event got to see eight of these models in action on the show floor, along with new or updated companion software and services offerings from Canon, eCopy, Adobe and others.
“This is the most important product launch for us since the introduction of the original imageRUNNER 10 years ago,” said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager of the Imaging Systems Group at Canon U.S.A. “The imageRUNNER ADVANCE series has been completely redesigned from the ground up.” The company is touting the new series as an integrated document platform that seamlessly blends hardware, software and services to advance today’s business environments.
New Design Inside And Out
Hiro Imamura, senior director of product marketing at Canon U.S.A., echoed that sentiment, calling the imageRUNNER ADVANCE family a “clean-sheet design” with a new look on the outside and a new architecture within. The company has rounded the edges of the chassis and used a warmer beige tone to make the new MFPs look less industrial. More importantly, the new MFPs feature larger touch screens than previous Canon devices—8.4 inches or 10.4 inches, depending on the model—and those screens are more user-friendly SVGA full-color panels. Canon also took the opportunity to redesign the touch screen’s user interface, delivering a customizable UI with larger buttons to help define and simplify specific workflows. The new panel also features a Main Menu key to easily access primary functions, plus a customizable Quick Menu key that can bring one-touch workflows and frequently used jobs or functions to the surface.
On the inside, all imageRUNNER ADVANCE models use a new Advanced imageCHIP System Architecture featuring two central processing units (CPUs): a high-speed image processing board, along with a separate information processing board to manage data flow within the MFP and over the network. According to Canon, the two CPUs work together to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously, and achieve exceptional performance and faster processing speeds, as well as deliver new features and functionality. The machines will also employ optional built-in hardware authentication devices such as Smart Card and proximity card readers so users can log in without having to key in their credentials.
Improved Serviceability
Canon reports that its engineers also concentrated on improved serviceability with the imageRUNNER ADVANCE series. End-user enhancements include a streamlined toner-changing procedure. When toner needs to be replenished, the user simply presses the “Change Toner” message on the touch screen to launch an on-screen animation showing how to open the drop-down panel on the front of the unit. Once open, the small door to the cartridge that needs to be changed automatically pops open, taking the guesswork out of which one to remove. Toner can be changed on the fly without having to pause jobs in process, and the series features larger waste toner receptacles.
For technicians, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE series is easier to service in the field. For starters, the front, side and back panels are held in place by fewer screws than previous models, making it faster to access the machine’s interior. Canon also provides easier access to the image transfer belt, while the assembly at the rear swings out of the way, allowing the technician to see the interior mechanisms in action to diagnose problems. On light production models equipped with a swing arm for the control panel, the arm swivels the screen all the way to the rear of the unit, allowing a technician to be working on the back of the unit and still have access to the control panel—without having to move around to the front.
More Product Details
At the show Canon introduced eight imageRUNNER ADVANCE models:
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C9075 PRO/C9065 PRO – For light production environments, including central reprographics departments (CRDs), small copy centers and quick print shops, Canon rolled out the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C9075 PRO ($50,000 MSRP) and C9065 PRO ($40,000 MSRP). The former has a rated speed of 75 ppm in black and 70 ppm in color, while the latter will operate at up to 65 ppm in both modes. The two models feature paper input capacity of up to 9,300 sheets and will support a variety of media (up to 110-lb. cover stock), including coated and tab paper, in sizes up to 13" by 19.25".
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C7065/C7055 – Canon targets these at high-volume office and busy enterprise environments. The imageRUNNER ADVANCE C7065 ($35,000 MSRP) has a rated speed of 65 ppm for black and 60 ppm for color. The C7055 ($28,000 MSRP) has a rated speed of 55 ppm in both modes. Both models feature paper input capacity of up to 6,900 sheets and will support a variety of media (up to 110-lb. cover stock), including coated and tab paper, in sizes up to 13" by 19.25".
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C5051/C5045/C5035/C5030 – These offer new features and functionality to help maximize productivity and efficiency for general office users, all within a compact footprint. The C5051 ($18,500 MSRP) has a rated engine speed of 51 ppm for color and black output, the C5045 ($17,000) a rated speed of 45 ppm, the C5035 ($12,400 MSRP) a rated speed of 35 ppm and the C5030 ($11,400) a rated speed of 30 ppm. Each model features a capacity up to 5,000 sheets and support paper ranging from 14-lb. bond to 140-lb. index at sizes up to and up to 12" by 18".
All of the imageRUNNER ADVANCE series models feature 1,200-dpi output plus flexible paper-handling and finishing options, including staple and booklet finishing. The devices also come with Canon MEAP technology, which supports a wide range of optional embedded applications that can be run directly from the control panel. They also employ Canon’s new oil-free “pQ” toner, which the company claims will produce sharp, vivid and dense images with a smooth finish. In addition, the machines feature new fusing technologies to improve color consistency and gloss optimization, says Canon. The new models come standard with Ultra Fast Rendering II (UFRII) printing technology, as well as optional Adobe PostScript 3 and PCL 5c/6 capabilities. For color-intensive users, Canon will offer imagePASS and ColorPASS print controller options.
Going Green
The company also emphasized the “green” aspects of the imageRUNNER ADVANCE line through every phase of the product lifecycle. Through Canon’s Life Cycle Assessment system, the new series is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 30 percent over previous models by focusing on each stage of manufacturing, energy use and logistics. For example, each device is designed to be the smallest and lightest in its class, with less packaging to make transportation more efficient. Some components are made of 100 percent recycled plastics, while some are bio-plastic.
Each model in the series also meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR standards and boasts an up to 75 percent reduction in overall power consumption. For example, instead of a traditional cold-cathode fluorescent bulb in the image reader to illuminate copies and scans, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE devices employ an array of bright white LEDs that consume less power. And Canon reports that its proprietary CIS image sensor draws less power than traditional CCD varieties. Also, the company claims its new fusing technologies reduce overall power consumption in the new models to 1 watt or less in sleep Mode.
As for pollutants, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE devices also exceed the tough global regulations set by the European Union RoHS Directive in restricting hazardous substances and minimizing the use of lead in steel, copper and aluminum materials. In fact, the RoHS Directive requires the restriction of six specified hazardous substances; Canon claims it currently restricts the use of 24 such substances.
Moreover, each new imageRUNNER ADVANCE model comes equipped with a number of paper-, toner- and energy-saving features, aiding in cutting costs and conserving resources. Also, Canon points to the series’ use of long-life parts and high-yielding supplies, which reduces the amount of materials consumed during the product life cycle.
The imageRUNNER ADVANCE models are expected to be available for customer delivery in the fourth quarter of 2009 through Canon Authorized Dealers and Canon Business Solutions.
This article was originally posted on Buyer’s Laboratory.
