Epson
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Press Releases - August 2004

EPSON introduces high-speed colour laser network printer

12 August, 2004 - Epson recently launched the AcuLaser C4100 that delivers high quality and low cost colour and monochrome A4 printing to laser users. Offering high-speed performance and efficient running costs this addition to the range eliminates the need for separate colour and mono printers and are designed to satisfy the most demanding work group needs.

The AcuLaser C4100 is fast and can print up to 24ppm with a first page out in less than 13 seconds. Providing users with superb 2400dpi photo-like print quality and professional text - the AcuLaser C4100 is driven by a 400MHz PowerPC controller with dual AcuLaser ASIC processing. These features this ensures that complex printer jobs can be printed quickly and efficiently.

"By replacing current monochrome workgroup laser printers with the new AcuLaser C4100 users could save money when printing in black and white - and have the added benefit of being able to use colour when you really need it," says Hans Dummer, country manager, EPSON SA. "Bringing professional colour to your business has never been so affordable - or as easy."

The printer has been designed to be as easy to integrate, use and support as a monochrome laser, which keeps support costs down and contributes to a low cost of ownership. With the same or lower running costs than most monochrome laser printers, there really is no reason to have a separate monochrome laser printer.

The AcuLaser C4100 is extremely easy to use: Live status information such as the levels of consumables or error information are reported as text and easy to understand graphics remotely directly to a PC screen and to the LCD display panel on the printer. The AcuLaser comes with EpsonNet configuration and monitoring tools to allow simple configuration, monitoring and management across the network.

Simple maintenance is guaranteed with four pre-installed toner cartridges located at conveniently at the top of the printer, which all can be changed quickly and easily even by inexperienced operators. The all in one photoconductor unit allows replacement of all photoconductor drums in one simple operation.

Intuitive and easy to use printer driver software with carefully chosen default settings ensures even novice users can print stunning colour documents first time. Advanced users will appreciate the extensive options available for colour and print quality control, speed and page layout.

Complete with automatic two-sided printing facility the AcuLaser C4100 not only improves presentation but also saves on paper costs and storage distribution. A standard input paper capacity of 600 sheets with the flexibility of two different paper trays and optional paper capacity of up to 1,600 sheets makes it easy to run complex and long print runs. The printer also features a job management function, which enables confidential printing, job reprint and verification. It comes with extensive connectivity as standard including a built in 10/100Base Tx network interface, USB and parallel ports.

AcuLaser C4100 Key Features:

  • High speed 24ppm colour laser printer with a first page out of less than 13 seconds for demanding business applications
  • High performance - 400MHz PowerPC controller with Dual ASIC processor and up to 1024MB of memory
  • Monochrome printing performance, running costs and compatibility, - so no need to buy a separate monochrome laser printer
  • 2400dpi photo like print quality and professional text using unique EPSON AcuLaser Color ASIC printing technology
  • Fully compatible and easy to integrate with network and software applications
  • As easy to use as a black and white laser printer
  • Automatic Two sided printing facility as standard
  • Standard input paper capacity of 600 sheets with the flexibility of two different paper trays. Optional paper capacity of up to 1600 sheets*
  • PCL5e, Epson ESC/Page, ESC/P2, FX, IBM 1239X and optional Adobe® PostScript® Level 3**
  • Flexible connectivity with USB, high speed parallel and 10/100BaseTX Ethernet interface as standard
  • EPSON AcuLaser MicroPolymer Toner

 

EPSON reinforces its commitment to the LCD technology

Johannesburg, August 2004: Announced today, EPSON reinforces why it believes the LCD technology is the best technology for its extensive projector range. EPSON, currently the number one projector manufacturer globally, uses LCD imaging technology with its whole range of projectors to provide its customers with superior image quality and reliability.

Hans Dummer, country manager, EPSON SA says, "The LCD technology enables projectors to display excellent quality colour reproduction. Images are brighter and more natural and we know our customers find this much gentler on the eye. We have also found the LCD technology to be extremely reliable and this is key to our customers. The last thing you need during an important presentation is the projector failing."

EPSON believes the LCD technology is the best technology for its projectors. The LCD technology enables brighter images as the light efficiency is high and the colours appear clear and bright even in a bright room. The LCD technology is particularly gentle on the eyes owing to the fact that colour is reproduced with three LCD panels, ensuring there is no flicker, which can lead to eyestrain. In addition the images do not exhibit the colour break-up effect often seen in single light-valve (sequential drive) systems. The LCD technology also enables smoother, sharper video playback as the colour is reproduced in three LCD panels, without the colour bleeding around edges, which is typical of a single light-value (sequential drive) system. In addition the three LCD panel technology enables natural colour reproduction and superior half-toning of dark areas.

The LCD technology has allowed EPSON projectors to be extremely long lasting, safe and environmentally friendly. Thanks to high luminance efficiency and an optimal cooling design, internal heat build-up is limited, increasing the life of the projector and also avoiding the cabinet getting dangerously hot. This high efficiency also means that power consumption is significantly reduced.

EPSON invests in and develops its own technology for its core technologies. EPSON has invested extensively in research to enhance and improve the capabilities of its LCD projectors, working with the LCD technology. As the leader in the projector market, EPSON is driving demands for higher definition and better picture quality and has developed wide panels that support 1,080p true high definition and 12-bit signal processing.

"Nearly five million projectors have been sold with three-LCD technology. The LCD technology is a highly reliable, effective imaging technology. We are committed to this technology and ensuring that our products are user friendly and user benefit rich. We believe it has and will continue to enable us to hold our leadership position in the market," concludes Dummer.

World's lightest microrobot takes flight

Johannesburg, 25 August: Epson today announced that it has successfully developed a lighter and more advanced successor to the FR, the world's smallest and lightest micro-flying robot. Turning once again to its micromechatronics technology, Epson has redefined the state of the art with its FR-II micro-flying robot - the world's lightest and most advanced microrobot, which also features Bluetooth wireless control and independent flight*1.

Epson has long been engaged in the research and development (R&D) of microrobots and applications for their enabling technologies. The FR-II is only the latest chapter in an Epson success story that began with Monsieur, a microrobot that was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's smallest microrobot.

The micro-robot weighs a mere 8.6 grams without battery, or 12.3 grams with the battery attached. It measures 13.6 centimetres in diameter and 8.5 centimetres in height. It hovers about using counter-rotating propellers powered by a lithium battery.

Epson also added a miniscule gyro-sensor with a mass of only 0.066 grams, allowing the robot to balance in the air. The flight of the machine can be remotely controlled or be based on a programme loaded before lift off. To top it off, Epson added an image sensor unit that can capture and transmit aerial images via a Bluetooth wireless connection to a monitor on land, and they also devised two LED lamps that can be controlled as a means of signalling.

The key concept behind Epson's R&D efforts in micro-flying robots has been to expand the horizons of microrobot activities from two-dimensional space to three-dimensional space. Epson has done this successfully.

Now, with the additional implementation of Bluetooth communications and independent flight in the FR-II, Epson has literally added a new dimension to microrobotics while greatly expanding the potential range of microrobot applications by incorporating image capture and transmission functions.

The FR-II will be on display at the Emerging Technology Fair, part of the Future Creation Fair that runs from August 27 to 30 at the Tokyo International Forum.

At the Fair, the FR-II micro-flying robot's features are expected to be showcased in artistic aerial performances. Epson hopes to gain feedback from visitors for further progress in developing original micromechatronics technologies and applications.

*1: Independent flight is the ability to follow a computer-programmed flight path