Developed the world's smallest ^* A3 color inkjet multi-function center
* As of March 2008, according to our research

Passion to develop and detailed market analyses were key to development

A3 color inkjet multi-function center Features of the A3 color inkjet multi-function center Small World's smallest machine in the A3 color all-in-one category Fast High speed head that prints a max. 35 sheets/min (A4, monochrome printing) Easy-to-use • One-touch paper tray selection (A4 to A3, or A3 to A4) • Ink replacement and paper replenishment from the machine's front side • Easy-to-see large LCD

"The world's smallest A3 multi-function center!" The development project began with the idea of shocking SOHO customers, who are adamant about installation space, into asking "how A3 sizes could be supported by such as small machine" and "how A3 support could be so affordable."

In 2005, never-before-attempted targets were set: integrate the functioning for printing, faxing, copying and scanning A3 size paper into a single machine, and keep the product about the same size as an A4 all-in-one machine. On top of that, there were those in the company who disagreed with investing resources into such a project.

So, after conducting market surveys around the world and verifying that there was sufficient demand for an A3 color inkjet multi-function center, the Brother Group decided to proceed with development.

Original thinking attained the industry's smallest size

The most difficult part of attaining these never-before-attempted targets was to house A3 support in the size of a typical A4 all-in-one machine. To achieve that, the printing hardware had to be downsized.

Separating the print head and ink cartridges and delivering ink by tube, this contributed to downsizing.

With inkjet printing mechanisms, the print head and ink cartridges are generally combined in the same unit, but Brother has for some time located the ink cartridges to the below right of the print head and used tubes to deliver ink. This was effective towards reducing product height. Moreover, the curving radius at which paper turns over was minimized. The scanner unit was further downsized by adopting a CIS method of scanning that used a traveling sensor as opposed to a CCD sensor that read documents in a single shot.

A series of the world's smallest A3 inkjet multi-function centers that were produced from these efforts went on sale in the USA in July 2008, in Europe in August and in Japan in October. The response from customers around the world was that they were "waiting for this kind of product."

Pursued "incomparable enjoyment" in high-end sewing machines with embroidery capabilities

Symbolic of Brother's 100^th anniversary

Innov-is I high-end sewing machine with embroidery capabilities

Equipped with sound sewing performance nurtured over Brother's long history and brand new features that surprise users, the Innov-is I ^* high-end sewing machine with embroidery capabilities is a symbolic product of the Brother Group's 100^th anniversary and a product that customers will be "happy to use and proud to own."

* Name of European model

World's first "above the needle" view

The image above the needle is shown on a display.

Obviously workmanship has this effect, too, but the accuracy with which thread is positioned is an important element that determines the beauty of an embroidered piece. But, because of the way sewing machines are built, the needle can be seen with the naked eye only from a misaligned position from directly above, therefore it is not always easy to stitch in the desired point.

In FY2008, the Brother Group launched in Europe the Innov-is I sewing machine with a built-in camera for capturing a "view from above the needle" on a display. The camera had to be mounted at a slight angle above the needle, so the actual image is taken at a slight angle. But, it is geometrically converted to appear "directly above the needle" using sophisticated image processing technology, before being reproduced on the display. This product incorporates various other features that make it the user's choice, such as an edge stitch mechanism that uses the camera to automatically detect the edge of the fabric and stitch seams at a set interval even with fabric that has been cut to a curve.

A big hit around the world

The Innov-is I is being sold in the USA under the name "Innov-is 6000D Quattro". It debuted to great reviews at a dealer event in August 2008. Not only in the USA but also at dealer events elsewhere around the world, it has garnered a lot of attention.

The future holds even greater enjoyment from things hand-made as Brother will be providing attachments for various added features and software.

	From the persons in charge Impress customers with our proprietary technologies.
	Brother International Corporation (U.S.A.) June Mellinger

I am a manager of the "education team" that plans and conducts domestic sewing machine trainings for dealers and customers. As for the Innov-is 6000D "Quattro" released this year, we ran a campaign named "Quattro Dreamscape" in over 100 cities, in which we conducted trainings for over 250 dealers and talked with hundreds of customers. All of our staff members are proud of the success of this campaign. We are now planning to offer customers opportunities to actually try our sewing machines in the same cities. I am sure our proprietary technologies will impress many customers.