A copier in every home, a copier in every department—the Z-60 made this kind of individual use possible. This was illustrated by the Z-60’s size, price, and cartridge-type consumables, which allowed users to easily replace toner and developer cartridges. Subsequent Z series copiers carried on these unique features.

* Based on Sharp findings (at the time).

The first in a line of new medium-speed copiers, the SF-8200 was Sharp’s first copier with an OPC drum. It won a Best Buy award in 1986 from the U.S. publication What to Buy. It also received commendations from specialised testing authorities like Data Pro and Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI)*, an independent U.S. organisation that tests document imaging equipment.

* Buyers Lab (BLI) is currently a division of Keypoint Intelligence.

The CX-7500 was an analogue machine that offered both B/W and high-quality colour copying in one. Office users could now make full-colour copies with the same ease as with a conventional B/W copier, at an output speed among the best in its class.

The automatic rotating drawer was invented as a way to save the hassle of switching paper trays. The development team’s revolutionary thinking resulted in the SF-8300. Instead of having users switch paper trays, the SF-8300 automatically selected long-edge or short-edge feeding and rotated the sheets within the paper drawer. With its front-loading paper replenishing and automatic rotating drawers, the SF-8300 was a further step in making copiers even more space-efficient.

* Based on Sharp findings (at the time).

The AR-150 was a three-in-one digital MFP with fax, copy, and print functions. Its paper output tray was placed underneath the copy platen, allowing a compact, ‘wingless’ design. The AR-150 was a digital pioneer for Sharp in the compact MFP market, and it paved the way for the development of later models in the series.

Features like large-volume scanning and confidential printing contributed to better productivity and security in the office. And a network scanner function made possible easy digitisation of paper documents. The optional AR-FR1/2/3 data security kit for this model was certified by an American certification authority for Common Criteria EAL2 (EAL: evaluation assurance level), making Sharp the first MFP company in the world to achieve this.

• *1 Common Criteria (CC) is an international accreditation standard for evaluating security levels of hardware, software, and information systems. In 1999, it became the ISO/IEC 15408 international standard for IT security certification.
• *2 Based on Sharp findings (at the time).

Responding to market demands, Sharp equipped these models with a touchscreen LCD control panel—the first for a Sharp low-speed B/W machine. Acclaimed for being cost-effective, these models met various office needs with features like duplex printing, multi-bypass tray feeding, and sorting—all packed into a compact unit. As with Sharp’s higher-end models, this series had an optional AR-FR12 data security kit certified for Common Criteria* EAL3+ (EAL: evaluation assurance level). This boosted Sharp’s reputation as a brand committed to security. The AR-M276 series was also designed for energy efficiency—for example, it had lower standby power consumption.

• * Common Criteria (CC) is an international accreditation standard for evaluating security levels of hardware, software, and information systems. In 1999, it became the ISO/IEC 15408 international standard for IT security certification.

Following EAL2 (EAL: evaluation assurance level) in 2001, Sharp earned another Common Criteria certification. In 2004, the optional AR-FR4 version M.20 data security kit for the 2001-launched AR-M450 (AR-450M) was certified for EAL4. This made Sharp the first company in the industry to achieve EAL4, a higher security assurance level. This model became an industry-leading digital MFP thanks to its enhanced security features.

• *1 Common Criteria (CC) is an international accreditation standard for evaluating security levels of hardware, software, and information systems. In 1999, it became the ISO/IEC 15408 international standard for IT security certification.
• *2 Based on Sharp findings (at the time).

Sharp pulled out all the stops to achieve the highest possible productivity in the MX-M1100. In addition to super-fast 110-ppm output (A4 long-edge feeding), it could be equipped with a saddle unit or saddle stitch finisher for automated production of booklets. A folding unit that allowed automated Z-folding was optionally available. It also allowed continuous runs—no need to stop the MFP for toner replenishment during a print job.

This was Sharp’s first-generation multifunctional copier for convenience stores in Japan. It offered a variety of services, including an industry-first calendar printing function, PDF/image printing, network printing, and faxing. A dye-sublimation printing system allowed high-quality printing of photographs. And Sharp’s first cloud-based convenience store platform enabled online updates, billing management, and other cloud-based services.

* Based on Sharp findings (at the time).

The MX-2600N (MX-2600FN) used newly developed Mycrostoner-HG, a toner that minimised graininess for clear, super-fine output. A large 8.5-inch WVGA colour LCD touchscreen boosted ease of use. The LCD displayed thumbnails of incoming faxes and files saved onto the MFP so users could print only what they needed, thus reducing wasteful paper use. These and other features earned it a Highly Recommended award from Buyers Lab (BLI)*, a leading independent U.S. organisation that tests document imaging equipment. Starting with this model, Sharp changed the exterior surface to feature a textured pattern. This new design complemented office interiors and became a trademark of Sharp MFPs for years to come.

*Buyers Lab (BLI) is currently a division of Keypoint Intelligence.

The MX-3631DS was designed for convenience stores in Japan. In addition to printing on postcards and photo paper, it allowed printing on adhesive paper—a first in the convenience store industry. It had a large, easy-to-view 15-inch colour LCD touchscreen, and the control panel could be tilted freely at various angles, allowing easy operation even for wheelchair users. The machine also allowed printing via QR codes. It featured Network Print for Biz, a printing service for businesspeople on the go or teleworking, and For Biz Scan, a service to digitise paper-based documents and upload them to the cloud. It could also print out content provided by third parties (such as photo portraits of celebrities, newspapers, musical scores, and maps) and was compatible with public administrative services. Such features made the MX-3631DS an evolution of the copier into a service platform terminal.

* Based on Sharp findings (at the time).

This MFP meets the needs for efficiency and large-volume printing in corporate centralised reprographic departments (CRDs), copy centres, and other such services. The upright 15.4-inch LCD touchscreen provides an easy-to-see large-screen user interface. Users can also operate Fiery’s Fiery® Command WorkStation® software—right from the touchscreen, thereby boosting efficiency through one-stop operation. The MFP features enhanced full-bleed printing so users can print booklets, pamphlets, long banners, posters, and more in-line.

The revised Electronic Books Maintenance Act came into effect on January 2022 in Japan, prompting a rise in the need to save business transaction-related documents such as receipts, invoices, and delivery slips in electronic form. Sharp responded with a new MFP equipped with a duplex single pass feeder that scanned two-sided documents at 130 opm—among the fastest in the industry, supporting the speedy digitisation of paper documents.
This was the first A4 MFP to incorporate a toner fusing system that had been adopted in Sharp’s latest A3 MFPs at the time. This achieved a short warm-up time and a low TEC value among the best in the industry*.
The MFP was also designed for environmental friendliness. It used significantly less packaging, including plastic materials, as part of efforts to reduce environmental impact.

* Based on Sharp findings (at the time).