Canon Unveils All-New imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series Hardware
By Jamie Bsales, Associate Editor, October 1, 2009
The first wave of MFPs in the new imageRUNNER ADVANCE series was introduced at the Canon Integrated
Solutions Showcase 2009 in Las Vegas recently. The more than 1,500 dealers, customers and partners who
gathered for the two-day event got to see eight of these models in action on the show floor, along with
new or updated companion software and services offerings from Canon, eCopy, Adobe and others.
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Sam Yoshida, Vice President
and General Manager, Imaging
Systems Group at Canon U.S.A.
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“This is the most important product launch for us since the introduction of the original
imageRUNNER 10 years ago,” said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager of the Imaging
Systems Group at Canon U.S.A. “The imageRUNNER ADVANCE series has been completely redesigned from
the ground up.” The company is touting the new series as an integrated document platform that
seamlessly blends hardware, software and services to advance today’s business environments.
New Design Inside And Out
Hiro Imamura, senior director of product marketing at Canon U.S.A., echoed that sentiment, calling the
imageRUNNER ADVANCE family a “clean-sheet design” with a new look on the outside and a new
architecture within. The company has rounded the edges of the chassis and used a warmer beige tone to
make the new MFPs look less industrial. More importantly, the new MFPs feature larger touch screens
than previous Canon devices—8.4 inches or 10.4 inches, depending on the model—and those
screens are more user-friendly SVGA full-color panels. Canon also took the opportunity to redesign the
touch screen’s user interface, delivering a customizable UI with larger buttons to help define
and simplify specific workflows. The new panel also features a Main Menu key to easily access primary
functions, plus a customizable Quick Menu key that can bring one-touch workflows and frequently used
jobs or functions to the surface.
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Quick Menu Screen
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On the inside, all imageRUNNER ADVANCE models use a new Advanced imageCHIP System Architecture
featuring two central processing units (CPUs): a high-speed image processing board, along with a
separate information processing board to manage data flow within the MFP and over the network.
According to Canon, the two CPUs work together to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously, and achieve
exceptional performance and faster processing speeds, as well as deliver new features and
functionality. The machines will also employ optional built-in hardware authentication devices such as
Smart Card and proximity card readers so users can log in without having to key in their credentials.
Improved Serviceability
Canon reports that its engineers also concentrated on improved serviceability with the imageRUNNER
ADVANCE series. End-user enhancements include a streamlined toner-changing procedure. When toner needs
to be replenished, the user simply presses the “Change Toner” message on the touch screen
to launch an on-screen animation showing how to open the drop-down panel on the front of the unit. Once
open, the small door to the cartridge that needs to be changed automatically pops open, taking the
guesswork out of which one to remove. Toner can be changed on the fly without having to pause jobs in
process, and the series features larger waste toner receptacles.
For technicians, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE series is easier to service in the field. For starters, the
front, side and back panels are held in place by fewer screws than previous models, making it faster to
access the machine’s interior. Canon also provides easier access to the image transfer belt,
while the assembly at the rear swings out of the way, allowing the technician to see the interior
mechanisms in action to diagnose problems. On light production models equipped with a swing arm for the
control panel, the arm swivels the screen all the way to the rear of the unit, allowing a technician to
be working on the back of the unit and still have access to the control panel—without having to
move around to the front.
More Product Details
At the show Canon introduced eight imageRUNNER ADVANCE models:
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C9075 PRO/C9065
PRO – For light production environments, including central reprographics departments (CRDs),
small copy centers and quick print shops, Canon rolled out the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C9075 PRO ($50,000
MSRP) and C9065 PRO ($40,000 MSRP). The former has a rated speed of 75 ppm in black and 70 ppm in
color, while the latter will operate at up to 65 ppm in both modes. The two models feature paper input
capacity of up to 9,300 sheets and will support a variety of media (up to 110-lb. cover stock),
including coated and tab paper, in sizes up to 13" by 19.25".
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Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE C9075
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• imageRUNNER ADVANCE C7065/C7055
– Canon targets these at high-volume office and busy enterprise environments. The imageRUNNER
ADVANCE C7065 ($35,000 MSRP) has a rated speed of 65 ppm for black and 60 ppm for color. The C7055
($28,000 MSRP) has a rated speed of 55 ppm in both modes. Both models feature paper input capacity of
up to 6,900 sheets and will support a variety of media (up to 110-lb. cover stock), including coated
and tab paper, in sizes up to 13" by 19.25".
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE
C5051/C5045/C5035/C5030 – These offer new features and functionality to help maximize
productivity and efficiency for general office users, all within a compact footprint. The C5051
($18,500 MSRP) has a rated engine speed of 51 ppm for color and black output, the C5045 ($17,000) a
rated speed of 45 ppm, the C5035 ($12,400 MSRP) a rated speed of 35 ppm and the C5030 ($11,400) a rated
speed of 30 ppm. Each model features a capacity up to 5,000 sheets and support paper ranging from
14-lb. bond to 140-lb. index at sizes up to and up to 12" by 18".
All of the imageRUNNER ADVANCE series models feature 1,200-dpi output plus flexible paper-handling and
finishing options, including staple and booklet finishing. The devices also come with Canon MEAP
technology, which supports a wide range of optional embedded applications that can be run directly from
the control panel. They also employ Canon’s new oil-free “pQ” toner, which the
company claims will produce sharp, vivid and dense images with a smooth finish. In addition, the
machines feature new fusing technologies to improve color consistency and gloss optimization, says
Canon. The new models come standard with Ultra Fast Rendering II (UFRII) printing technology, as well
as optional Adobe PostScript 3 and PCL 5c/6 capabilities. For color-intensive users, Canon will offer
imagePASS and ColorPASS print controller options.
Going Green
The company also emphasized the “green” aspects of the imageRUNNER ADVANCE line through
every phase of the product lifecycle. Through Canon’s Life Cycle Assessment system, the new
series is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 30 percent over previous models by
focusing on each stage of manufacturing, energy use and logistics. For example, each device is designed
to be the smallest and lightest in its class, with less packaging to make transportation more
efficient. Some components are made of 100 percent recycled plastics, while some are bio-plastic.
Each model in the series also meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR standards and boasts an up to 75 percent
reduction in overall power consumption. For example, instead of a traditional cold-cathode fluorescent
bulb in the image reader to illuminate copies and scans, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE devices employ an
array of bright white LEDs that consume less power. And Canon reports that its proprietary CIS image
sensor draws less power than traditional CCD varieties. Also, the company claims its new fusing
technologies reduce overall power consumption in the new models to 1 watt or less in sleep Mode.
As for pollutants, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE devices also exceed the tough global regulations set by the
European Union RoHS Directive in restricting hazardous substances and minimizing the use of lead in
steel, copper and aluminum materials. In fact, the RoHS Directive requires the restriction of six
specified hazardous substances; Canon claims it currently restricts the use of 24 such substances.
Moreover, each new imageRUNNER ADVANCE model comes equipped with a number of paper-, toner- and
energy-saving features, aiding in cutting costs and conserving resources. Also, Canon points to the
series’ use of long-life parts and high-yielding supplies, which reduces the amount of materials
consumed during the product life cycle.
The imageRUNNER ADVANCE models are expected to be available for customer delivery in the fourth quarter
of 2009 through Canon Authorized Dealers and Canon Business Solutions.