Fujifilm launched its version 5.5 of its XMF workflow software with an
emphasis on new variable data features, as well as productivity
enhancements. Fujifilm’s new XMF version is the first such software
system to be built around Adobe’s new PDF Print Engine, dubbed the
Mercury RIP Architecture.
The Mercury RIP Architecture is
designed to drive digital (inkjet and toner) presses, focusing on
variable data printing in particular. Mercury’s parallel processing
architecture features distributed multi-tier caching and dynamic load
balancing. This ultimately allows the technology to support continuously
streamed PDF and PDF/VT in High Volume workflows. Adobe claims that in
its testing, the PDF Print Engine 3 is the fastest rendering technology
in the industry today.
Fujifilm notes XMF v5.5 is optimized to
drive its recently launched web-fed J Press 540W inkjet press, which
inherently requires large amounts of data, potentially often large
amounts of variable data, to be processed for high-speed runs.
“Digital
web presses put huge demands on workflow systems, so our focus has been
to develop an extremely efficient end-to-end print environment that
allows companies to increase their productivity and competitiveness,”
stated Shigenori Tsuji, Senior VP President, Fujifilm Global Graphic
Systems, Workflow Division. “As well as being the first vendor to bring
to market a workflow built from the ground up around JDF and the Adobe
PDF Print Engine, Fujifilm is leading the way once more with the
introduction of Adobe’s new Mercury RIP Architecture.”
Fujifilm
describes leveraging the Mercury RIP within XMF v5.5 to create a very
wide data path for driving graphically rich personalized content to the J
Press 540W. “The J Press 540W powered by XMF v5.5 marks an impressive
milestone in the evolution of continuous-feed digital printing,” stated
Raman Nagpal, Senior Director of Print at Adobe.
XMF v5.5 also
includes improved proofing capabilities through what the company
describes as automated distribution of 3D proofs. The 3D proofing
module, already embedded in previous versions of XMF, gives printers the
ability to create a virtual printed product. XMF v5.5 also features
improvements to support XMF ColorPath, Fuji’s cloud-based colour
management system.
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