Oc'e Radiant Fusing technology is a patented, energy-saving fusing method providing printing availability without lengthy warm-up times. The technology consumes less energy and emits less noise and ozone when compared to other fusing methods common to large format printing equipment. In addition to the environmental benefits, its design also provides high-quality output, with consistent results over time. So says Prakash Naidoo, the product and marketing manager at Oc'e South Africa, a leader in digital document management and delivery.
"Oc'e Radiant Fusing technology is ideal for decentralised, on-demand, workgroup environments, where users require reliability, energy efficiency, low heat and noise, and instant-on capabilities, along with high image quality," explains Naidoo.
Traditional LED printing technology requires high fusing temperatures and creates an inefficient workflow for low and mid-volume use typified by walk-up users with on-demand needs. Therefore, Oc'e developed a fusing method specifically targeted at the workflow requirements of these customers.
In low and mid-volume large format printing environments, systems can remain idle for a large part of the day. At common print speeds, most jobs can be performed in less than 10% of a full eight-hour working day. For traditional users in this environment, the speed at which they can expect to receive their output is more critical than the reported speed of the print engine. In order for traditional LED technology-based engines to provide the first print quickly, it is necessary to keep the fusing unit temperature at a high enough level to avoid lengthy warm-up time (ready mode).
This generates unnecessary heat, energy usage and noise, even when the equipment is not in use. Oc'e Radiant Fusing technology was developed to feature instant printing any time of the day without wasting energy.
Key customer benefits of Oc'e Radiant Fusing technology include:
* Virtually no warm-up time - enables quick machine availability even from sleep mode.
* Sharper output - prevents resolution loss, dot size degradation and line fuzziness since the toner melts exactly where it is placed on the media.
* Low power consumption - reduces energy usage with ENERGY STAR designation. The array used in fusing is heated instantly limiting the amount of power required in stand-by/ready and sleep modes.
* Less noise and less heat - minimises distractions. With no pressure rollers, a lower temperature is maintained. Since the system heats and cools instantly, there is no need for noisy fans, and the system is silent in standby/ready and sleep modes.
* Greater long-term reliability - generates less internal heat and uses fewer consumable parts (no fuser rollers or fuser oil).
The lower total heat helps enable all parts of the machine to last longer.
Naidoo continues: "Conventional technologies use heated fuser rollers that require extensive warm-up time or high levels of energy consumption to keep them hot while waiting for prints in ready mode (standby). Additionally, these systems usually include a cooling fan, which can be quite noisy even while the machine is idle. What makes Oc'e Radiant Fusing technology different is that during the fusing process, toner is fused to the media by heat rising through the media from an array of heating elements. The heating elements used in the Oc'e Radiant Fusing method heat and cool quickly in a manner similar to the heating elements found in a toaster. The toner melts and is fused to the media without distorting the image."
Unlike other reprographic processes, the media travelling through the fuser never makes contact with pressure rollers. Pressure rollers smash the toner into the media, which can blur the printed image. Oc'e Radiant Fusing technology prevents resolution loss, dot size degradation and line fuzziness as the toner is melted exactly as it is placed on the media.
Once printing is completed, the printer reverts to a standby mode drawing a minimum of power - as low as 39 watts. Roller-based large format products frequently can be found having a standby mode that draws 1 000 watts, as the pressure rollers must stay heated in preparation for the next print.
When comparing printers containing Oc'e Radiant Fusing technology to systems that use pressure rollers, users can realise significant electricity cost savings. "With Oc'e Radiant Fusing technology, one does not need to make a trade-off between productivity, reliability, and energy savings," concludes Naidoo.
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