Canon U.S.A. Inc. has announced the upcoming availability of the Arizona 2300 series with FLXflow technology, which brings new productivity features to the flatbed printer series. Previously known as FLOW technology, the new FLXflow series offers not only the original "Hold" functionality, which helps to hold media down on the flatbed table, but also the new optional "Float" and "Instant Switch" functionalities to help improve media handling.

Further features, such as additional quality modes, image layout controls and improved workflow integration, together with an optional interface that connects to third-party automation systems to allow for continuous loading and unloading media, are designed to help deliver increased workflow efficiency and productivity.

Catering to the mid-to-high-volume market for large format graphics, the Arizona 2300 FLXflow series supports a wide variety of substrates and applications. This enables customers, both in-house or commercial print service providers (PSPs), to adapt to evolving consumer trends, such as the growing demand for personalized and made-to-order applications, while allowing for customization to remain economically viable, even for samples and one-off orders.

Offering a unique, patented way not only to hold, but also to float the media, the FLXflow series comes with one standard functionality — Hold, and two optional functionalities, Float and Instant Switch. The new FLXflow Hold feature allows users to move heavier and irregular-sized media faster and more easily around the table. The Hold functionality, a feature of the original FLOW technology, works by keeping the media in place with a patented airflow technique. Using automatic measurement and adjustment of airflow levels to firmly and accurately hold various types of media in place, the functionality allows for flexible positioning with far less masking.

The new Float functionality is an optional feature that pushes air from the table upward to create a cushion, enabling the easy positioning of heavy or challenging substrates and is designed to help reduce the risk of media damage or waste. It also is designed to provide a smoother registration of various types of media, with a "floating without drifting' functionality, enabling several pieces of media to be precisely positioned at the same time. The Instant Switch option allows the operator to easily change from Hold to Float by using the foot pedals for simple operability of the printer, making it easy to remove media from the table.

The latest release of PRISMAelevate XL v2.1 software, if purchased and used in conjunction with this series, doubles the printing height to 4 mm to help customers create stand-out, tactile artwork for elevated print applications that can help enhance and expand their product offering. It enables customers to explore new applications, such as high-value, textured, permanent signage, product decoration, awards, décor materials and package prototyping, as well as applications for the visually impaired. PRISMAelevate XL v2.1 software is designed to help make prints durable without the need for additional finishing steps, such as lamination, coating or spray varnishing, and can help create less waste and higher production efficiency.

In addition, the Arizona 2300 FLXflow technology offers enhanced compatibility through its optional accounting interface, enabling integration with popular accounting software such as ONYX Hub or OneVision. This feature allows users to efficiently manage their business by feeding data directly from the printer into their accounting systems, providing them with visibility over operations.

Also included is VariaDot Gen 3 technology, which introduces additional choices between Classic and Plus print modes. This advancement helps optimize the balance between print quality and production time, offering users the flexibility to achieve better quality at the same speed or maintain the same quality at higher speeds compared to previous VariaDot generations. Additionally, the elevated lenticular effects script, separate from PRISMAelevate XL, is designed to help enhance creative capabilities by enabling the creation of lenticular effects with a height of 1 mm to 1.5 mm, further expanding the printer's versatility and empowering users to explore new print applications.

Arizona 2300 FLXflow customers can take advantage of the new Advanced Image Layout Controls, which allow last-minute adjustments at the printer, giving additional flexibility when positioning substrates on the table and which is designed to help reduce waste of expensive materials. Productivity is further enhanced by service support tools such as PRISMAservice, which provides predictive maintenance and facilitates authorized remote assistance by qualified service technicians to help maximize uptime.

Current users of the Arizona 2300 with FLOW technology can upgrade their printer to the latest version with FLXflow functionalities, including the optional Float and Instant Switch features. Upgrades also include new features like the Advanced Image Layout Controls. Users can also purchase a subscription to the PRISMA XL Suite workflow software to provide a preview function, which allows users to see what the final product will look like before it's printed, while allowing them to make any necessary adjustments. Helping to save time, this makes it possible to preview complex, multilayered, textured jobs and provide cost estimates before printing.

"At Canon, we're committed to advancing our flatbed technology, driven by our close collaboration with both the market and our valued stakeholders," said Shinichi "Sam" Yoshida, executive vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Inc. "From refining printer ranges to enhancing supporting software, we strive for continuous evolution. The Arizona 2300 FLXflow epitomizes this dedication, offering versatility, amazing quality and heightened workflow efficiency. Our PRISMAservice is designed to allow for peak uptime, boosting productivity, while FLXflow's 'Float' option simplifies handling irregular substrates, expanding application options. Coupled with PRISMAelevate XL's 4-mm elevation prints, exciting new creative opportunities can emerge. We eagerly anticipate the inventive applications our customers will unveil with these enhanced functionalities and options."

FLXflow technology requires less masking and underlays to hold media in place compared with legacy Arizona models, which is designed to help reduce media waste. As LED-UV printers, the series offers power-saving features such as first-time-right printing and Instant-On functionality. Its inks are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified, which allows prints to be uses in environments such as hospitals, schools and other public places.

The Arizona 2300 FLXflow is currently expected to be available starting in June 2024. PRISMAelevate XL 2.1 is currently scheduled to be available starting mid-April 2024.

In other news, two new Canon U.S.A. Inc. models — the ColorStream 8200 and 8110 — will look to build on the success of the ColorStream 8000 series of high-speed, web-fed inkjet presses.

The ColorStream has proven to be an attractive investment for high-volume print production environments since its original launch in 2011, with more than 1,800 towers installed worldwide. The latest additions to the series now includes the ColorStream 8200, offering a maximum speed of up to 656 feet per minute, making it one of the most productive model in the series. The ColorStream 8110, which offers up to 361 feet per minute, is an additional option for print service providers (PSPs) wanting to invest in a new ColorStream press while maintaining existing finishing equipment.

Both new models feature native 1,200-dpi printheads and highly pigmented water-based polymer inks, designed for a wide color gamut on uncoated, recycled, inkjet-coated matte and inkjet-treated paper without pretreatment. The use of durable, long-life components, together with automation features such as auto splice handling and tight communication with inline finishing devices, reflects Canon's focus on supporting customers to achieve productivity while simultaneously working to reduce the environmental impact of its products and operations.

The ColorStream 8200 can deliver 2,860 impressions per minute. Its capabilities make it attractive for PSPs needing to handle production peaks with ease while producing a mix of output, including transactional statements, publications, books, direct mail and product inserts.

Users can combine the ColorStream 8000 series with PRISMAproduction, an integrated and scalable, high-performance workflow and production management platform that automates and integrates data input and conversion, prepress and print output. Enhancing files for high-performance production printing, PRISMAproduction is designed to enable advanced function presentation and PDF preflighting and make-ready, data enrichment and page composition in one flexible print workflow via a single platform. The batching functionality in PRISMAproduction also is designed to allow customers to optimize their order processing and production sequence in line with the ongoing trend in the reduction of run lengths, resulting in efficient output handling on the ColorStream 8000 series.

"We’re excited to announce the additions of the ColorStream 8110 and flagship ColorStream 8200 and look forward to seeing them contribute to our goal of working to deliver outstanding productivity, efficiency and quality in both print and finishing," Yoshida said. "Increasing productivity without compromising reliability or quality remains a goal, and these models can work to provide our customers with the resources they need to succeed."

In other news, Canon U.S.A. Inc. has announced a new web-fed inkjet press for commercial and business communications print service providers with the ProStream 3160, the new flagship model of the ProStream 3000 series, that can help bring quality and productivity to inkjet printing for commercial markets, direct mail and publishing, among others.

The ProStream 3160 is an ultra-fast roll-fed 4/4 inkjet press that can deliver up to 525 feet per minute (160 meters per minute). With the new ink set, the ProStream 3160 boasts 100% productivity increase when printing on 12 pt media and up to a 66% productivity increase on 9 pt media compared to previous ProStream models. This press is market changing and shows Canon's commitment to the evolution of this ProStream 3000 platform.

Exceptional 1,200-dpi print quality — and a vibrant color ink set with an extended color gamut — work to offer a powerful platform printing on a range of papers, from 28 gsm to 300 gsm, providing a high level of paper flexibility. The addition of the new 3160 model bolsters a strong lineup that already includes the ProStream 3133 model and provides investment insurance for existing 3133 customers who have the option to upgrade to a 3160 to take advantage of the new ink set and productivity increase.

New inks used in the ProStream 3160, specifically adapted and developed for the ProStream 3000 platform, have been optimized with respect to the number of pigments and the size of the pigment particles to produce supreme edge sharpness while working to fit the 1,200-dpi print heads with advanced jet stability at higher ink loads.

A new polymer component allows for fast drying, which works well with the advanced drying capabilities of the 3000 platform, helping to provide customers better robustness and compatibility with embellishment options.

"Building on the success of the ProStream 3000 series, we are excited for the flagship 3160 and its increased capabilities for performance and speed," Yoshida said. "The ability to offer greater flexibility while maintaining high quality is important to fulfill the diverse needs of customers. We are also pleased to provide our existing ProStream 3133 customers protection for their investment by being able to upgrade to capitalize on the new innovations that can help their business."

The ProStream 2000 series is currently anticipated to be available in the United States in 2025.

The ProStream 3160 enables ultra-fast production, allowing print business to move high volumes of work from offset and legacy technologies. Its new polymer pigment ink set, which is also anticipated to be included with the ProStream 2000 series, works to ensure consistent offset print quality at rated speed while extending the media grammage/speed range.

In other news, Canon U.S.A. Inc. has announced that six Canon product designs were recognized by iF International Forum Design GmbH with 2024 iF Design Awards. Notably, this marks Canon's 30th consecutive year of being recognized for outstanding design prowess. The accolades underscore Canon's unwavering commitment to producing products that seamlessly blend top-tier performance with cutting-edge design aesthetics.

The six products recognized include:

1. PowerShot V10 Vlog Camera: The PowerShot V10 is a 4K compact vlogging and still camera built in a new highly portable form with components from the popular G-series line that gives creatives the ability to capture high-quality video on the go. The PowerShot V10 is the first product in the company's new consumer video production, live streaming and vlogging line, the PowerShot V (V= Video Communication) camera series.
2. RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM: Targeted at professionals and high-end users, this lens combines the proven 300mm f/2.8 concept with superb zooming capabilities. Ideal for applications such as theater work, distant event candids and indoor sports, it delivers stunning background bokeh for captivating imagery.
3. imagePROGRAF TM Series: Catering to diverse printing needs, including CAD drawings, retail posters and educational displays, the imagePROGRAF TM Series models boast high-speed printing and enhanced color reproduction. The refined functional body design helps facilitate user-friendly roll paper loading, particularly for beginners.
4. imagePRESS V Family: The imagePRESS V family product lineup includes the imagePRESS V900 Series, imagePRESS V1000 and imagePRESS V1350, all loaded with impressive automation technology that includes features designed to help save time and advanced workflow integration capabilities.
5. CXDI-Elite: The CXDI-Elite digital radiography detector expands the possibilities of digital radiography with unique functions and Built-in Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) Assistance. Its ergonomic and lightweight design includes sculpted handgrips and rounded corners for improved productivity and ease of use.
6. OCT-R1: The OCT-R1 enables superior penetration of ocular opacities and provides outstanding tomographic images. Swept source technology allows for a high scanning speed of 100,000 A-scans per second, while maximizing the essential signal data quantity during the acquisition.