Drupa with a British Accent
Taking place next month in Birmingham, England, IPEX calls itself the largest English-speaking global technology event for print, publishing and media.
April 2010WITH MORE than 1,000 exhibitors expected from more than 40 countries, IPEX 2010 is the British version of Drupa. Held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, England, from May 18-25, the show will occupy more than 645,000 square feet of floor space, filling 11 halls. Organizers hope to attract 55,000 visitors.
IPEX heralds itself as the largest English-speaking global technology event for print, publishing and media. Given the sparse attendance at last year's PRINT 2009 show in Chicago, it would be hard to dispute this proclamation. Still, one wonders if IPEX will receive the same cold shoulder from printers this year, given the recession's continuing grip.
Acquired by IIR Exhibitions in 2006 from industry association Picon, IPEX has undergone a makeover. A new footprint was created to provide visitors with a floor layout that features the entire print production workflow.
To promote the show, IIR Exhibitions and AD Communications recently hosted the IPEX International Media Summit at the ExCeL London international exhibition and conference center. Some 80 journalists, representing more than 100 graphic arts titles from around the globe, gathered for a preview of what some key exhibitors will be highlighting at IPEX.
New Technologies On Display
Among the products discussed at the press event were the enhanced versions of the toner-based Xerox 650/1300 continuous-feed monochrome printing systems. New features include: heavy-weight media compatibility, running duplex applications up to 200 gsm, the FreeFlow Print Server 7 and ImageSmooth Technology for producing sharp images. Xerox also announced its first production ink-jet system, but further details are being held for the show.
With its largest stand to date at an IPEX show, Canon Europe will provide the first international showing of the imageRUNNER Advance Pro series of light production engines. Canon image–PROGRAF printers—ideal for large-format applications such as graphics and signage—will also be featured.
Under the banner "Power to Succeed," Fujifilm Europe will introduce the Jet Press 720 B2 sheetfed digital ink-jet press suited for short-run printing. With production speeds of approximately 180 sheets (A4 size equivalent) per minute or 2,700 B2 sheets an hour, it employs SAMBA print-head technology for single-pass, ink-jet printing at 1,200x1,200 dpi resolution. The worldwide rollout schedule of the Jet Press 720 will be announced at the show.
The Acuity Advance HS wide-format UV ink-jet printer will also be highlighted by Fujifilm. It features a modified print head, offering production speeds of 430 square feet per hour.
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