By developing long-life components, we have reduced the costs for our customers and helped sustain the environment.

We started out with the challenge of making document management devices that were both environmentally friendly and higly economical.  Our goal was to develop products that help our customers to drive down document management costs while minimizing the environmental load.  This led to the development of our long-life technology.

An example of this is our imaging drum technology.  In contrast to conventional drums that are changed regularly, our imaging drum surface consists of amorphous silicon, making it extremely hard and durable.  This gives the drum exceptional long-life performance - under normal use, it lasts the life of the machine without the need for replacement.  We have also successfully lengthened the lifespan of other key components.  As a result, only the replacement of toner is required to keep the device running.  Leading to reduced machine downtime for servicing, better reliability and lower running costs.

Long-life Technology 1:  Unique products born from long-life technology

The Amorphous Silicon Drum
In general, multifunctional systems and network printers form a complex, interlinked system of moving components.  Regular use over time may cause them to wear down and physical alteration may occur.  A key component in any device is the photoreceptor drum, which endures an enormous amount of wear, and as a result, must be changed regularly on devices with conventional drums.  In contrast, our amorphous silicon drums are extremely durable - they can last approximately 30 times longer than OPC (Organic Photoconductor) drums and almost never require replacing..

Long-life Technology 2:  Superior Image Technology

Toner that cleans the drum surface
A big factor affecting copy or print image quality is toner adherence to the drum's surface.  The surfaces of conventional OPC drums are more easily worn down, which can result in weakened adherence of toner to the drum.  In contrast, our amorphous silicon creates an extremely hard surface, which allows our toner adherence to be much less affected over time.  To complement this, we have even developed toner that polishes the drum surface.  This combination of drum and toner technology results in high image quality that lasts the distance.

Our shipment of spare parts have been greatly reduced.
This shows the success of our ECOSYS technology.  It is proof that we are reducing costs for our customers and reducing our burden on the environment by increasing the life span of parts.  It has also enabled us to cut our parts production, storage and collection costs, and focus our resources on other areas.

In Germany, a country with advanced policies on environmental management, our ECOSYS printers have attained the number 2 - market share position for laser printers (based on 2003 shipments.  Source: Dataquest.).  We shall continue to uphold the principle that cost reduction and environmental friendliness can go hand-in-hand.

Long-life Technology 3:  Environmental Technology

Materials free from harmful substances
It is a well-known fact that if lead and other heavy metals contained in components and materials are discarded and returned to the land, they can seep into underground water and cause harm to the environment.  To rectify this problem, we have already launched products that employ lead-free solder.  Similarly, we are accelerating the introduction of lead-free wiring and chrome-free steel plating.  Also, the outer casing of our products and the toner bottles are made from materials that do not emit any dioxins when incinerated.

Long-life Technology 4:  Technology to Promote the Reduction of Resource Consumption

Analysis by computer simulation
Using the latest in computer simulation technology, we are able to achieve the optimum strength of the device while using as little material as possible.  This enables us to reduce material consumption and costs, while simultaneously cutting time required for development and testing.

In raising the standards of reliability, our commitment to economy and ecology is never compromised.

Our ECOSYS based product line-up has expanded from monochrome printers to high-speed, full-colour multifunctional systems.  We faced many obstacles to implement our long-life technology into colour devices.  However, we remained convinced that our commitment to the environment and low running costs would guarantee success in the long run.

Finally, after a long period of development, we produced an ECOSYS colour printer that is the world's smallest colour tandem printer* while being high in quality and perfomance.

* As of February, 2004.  Based on footprint of A4 colour page printers).

Long-life Technology 5:  Environmental Technology

Product design and product packaging to promote reduction and recycling of materials.
To facilitate the reuse and recycling of our products, practically every part is properly labeled with its composite materials for easy identification and reference.  Furthermore, the process is made simple by the creation of "subsets" of components, which are easy to remove and dismantle.  We consider our product packaging to be an extension of the product itself - therefore, it follows the same environmental standards.  The packaging consists of easily biodegradable pulp mold made from recycled paper.

Long-life Technology 6:  Image Processing Technology

Kyocera ASIC incorporating the latest image algorithms
We developed our own ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) to enable superior reproduction of colour images.  We have cultivated conventional techniques, and installed the latest image algorithms to produce the most stable and long-lasting high quality image processing technology.

A driving force for integration.

Worldwide, we offer a service and support network for our copier/MFP and printer products through 25 overseas subsidiaries.  The common technology that runs throughout our product range: common drivers, interfaces, engines and parts; enable us to support our channel partners and end-users with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.  Our solution software helps the flow of information over the network run more smoothly and competently.  Our software tools assist administrators to keep track of the status of devices on the network, and also to monitor costs.

Solutions

KM Document Flow System
KM Document Flow is designed to enable scanned documents to be easily shared and retrieved in a workgroup environment.  Documents are scanned directly into designated folders on a PC.  Indexing information such as title, author, keywords, and file names can be inputted from the MFP operation panel when scanning the document.

KM-NET Viewer
Devices on the network can be managed centrally.  Status can be monitored and problems diagnosed; settings can be changed and devices can be updated, all from the client PC.  This helps to reduce the manpower required to manage connected devices.

KM-NET for Direct Printing
This direct print feature enable users to transfer PDF files directly to a printer without a printer driver.  The user does not have to open the application - the file can simply be dragged and dropped over the direct print icon in order to print the document.