HP unveils new Edgeline enterprise printers

HP's Imaging and Printing Group (IPG) has unveiled new enterprise level ink-based colour multifunction printers (MFP). The HP CM8060 and CM8050 Colour MFPs use the firm's new Edgeline printer head system, which stems from HP's US$1.4bn investment in, what it calls Scalable Printing Technology.

HP and the system was first used in a range of photo kiosks, designed for use with special inks and photo quality paper. These new MFPs are the first office-based printers to use the new technology.

"We've made significant investments to understand the challenges that businesses face today, such as navigating through the explosion of digital content while paper processes still dominate and managing costs while improving productivity," said Jan Riecher, vice president of the commercial unit at IPG HP EMEA

Edgeline works by using a pair of print heads that span the width of the page, thereby removing the problems associated with moving both the print head and the paper.

This allows for faster and clearer printing, with smoother colour transitions and none of the 'striping' effect usually seen in high speed colour inkjet prints.

The problem of running and smudging ink is solved by using new Vivera office inks that use a bonding agent to improve the drying speed.

HP's Edgeline technology allows for very high print speeds with the CM8060 capable of print speeds of 60 pages per minute for black prints and 50ppm for colour printing. The CM8050 is slightly slower turning out black prints at 50ppm and colour at 40ppm.

"Edgeline can deliver copy-room speeds but from a printer offering high quality and colour output" said Michael Hoffmann, senior vice president of IPG HP EMEA.

The CM8060 and CM8050 also sport large touch-sensitive colour screens, which allow easy access to the devices' functions and also provide detailed text and video clips to assist in the event of a malfunction, such as a paper jam.

LEDs embedded throughout the devices that light up in sequence also help guide users through basic tasks.

HP failed to comment on the average cost per page of these printers, saying only that it is competitively priced compared to other laser based products.

Hoffman added: "Web 2.0 is the single most important driver around how information on the internet is created and consumed."

Both printers are available from today and will be sold direct from HP or through channel partners with service and support options.

Copyright ©v3.co.uk

enterprisehardwarehpnewprintersunveils