Written by Christina Vullo
Social Media Marketing Analyst
Xerox Corporation
Happy Flashback Friday! Here’s another blast from the past of Xerox Production history. The Xerox Copyflo 11 was a roll feed, Xerographic printer used for reproducing images from 36mm and 16mm film originals. The Copyflo produced dry, permanent, positive copies on plain roll paper, vellum, or offset master stock up to 12 inches wide.
Three Copyflo models were introduced with speeds varying from 20 feet per minute to 40 feet per minute. One model also included an automatic cutter. Xerox designed and built the Copyflo system in Webster, NY in 1954.
To give you an idea of how the Copyflo would rank today, here’s a comparison to the CiPress 500:
| Copyflo 11 Model 1-20 | CiPress 500 | |
| Year Released | 1954 | 2011 |
| Speed | 20’ per minute | 500’ per minute |
| Paper | Plain roll paper, vellum, or offset master stock | Plain paper that is uncoated, untreated, offset, recycled, newsprint, calendared, ground wood, mechanical fiber, bond, laser |
| Dimensions | 6.17’x2.75’ (7.5’ high) | 19.9’x7.66’ (8.75 high) |
| Weight | Approx. 1,800 lbs. | 12,031 lbs. (print engine only) 14,037 lbs. (with integrated thermal control and air compressor) |
| Print Size | Up to 11” wide | Up to 20.5” wide |
I am wondering which one of those extraordinary machines is the best for ever. Really hard to say. Maybe both are the best…
I think you’re right, Andreas! They’re both pretty extraordinary!
Ran, maintained and repaired 2 of these as recently as 1992 for Knox Atty. Service in San Diego CA. As far as I know, they are still running. Real workhorses, if you can get parts and the drums recoated once in a while.
Back in 1981 at Xerox Canada, XRC in Montreal (Xerox Reproducing Center) i was the operator on 2 Xerox Copyflo machines , 20 feet per minute and 40 feet per minute, printing library cards and microfilms on paper.
After 33 years i still in the printing business (digital press) but i will never forget how solid and reliable were these 2 machines.
I ran these great macines for Dakota Microfim, microfilm Business systems and computer Micro graphics from 1959 thru 1970. I could still thread the film and paper with my eyes closed. It was a center piece for any service bureau.
Worked with these from 1978 – 1984. First with CMI which was absorbed by Anacomp. Then Anacomp sold the business to the former CMI CEO, to get a tax break.
1984 – 1992 Then continued with Rockwell International. They had their own in house data processing. A bit later they got rid of the copyflos, and went on to some newer technology, for the parts on the Copyflos were getting hard to obtain, for Xerox was moving into the page printing era of the 8700/9700 era series, soon to be followed by the 40XX and 41XX series.
I used to heat my lunch under the fuser coils…