Heidelberg has optimized some 200 components throughout the entire system, from feeder to delivery. For example, two servo motors now drive the feeder directly and, in the delivery, the weight of the gripper bars has been reduced and they have been adapted to the new printing speed to ensure stable and reliable operation.

“With the newly unveiled Speedmaster XL 106, Heidelberg is taking sheetfed offset printing performance to the next level and enabling folding carton manufacturers in particular to become more competitive,” said Dr. Ludwin Monz, CEO of Heidelberg.

Cardbox Packaging, an international packaging manufacturer headquartered in the Austrian town of Wolfsberg, has commissioned the first Speedmaster XL 106.

“With MGA Contact, brand owners and packaging designers now have twice as much space to display their messages and information. This way, packaging for fruit, vegetables or chocolates can feature a more attractive design,” explains Josef Sutter, product manager for Sheetfed/UV Europe at Hubergroup.

This is possible as the ink specialist only uses ingredients that have been authorized for direct contact with food in accordance with EU guidelines and FDA criteria. Moreover, the ink series is produced in a separate production facility at Hubergroup’s plant in Celle, Germany.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, PrintAction has created a podcast series focusing on some of the important developments in the industry.

In the inaugural episode, Nithya Caleb, editor of PrintAction, spoke to industry leader and chronicler Nick Howard about the evolution of offset technology in the last 60 years.

Listen to the episode below!

With the new Speedmaster CX 104, Heidelberg is looking to meet the growing demand for flexible printing systems with a variety of automation solutions and variants in the commercial sector. The new 104 sheet format press offers commercial, packaging and label printing customers access to cutting-edge sheetfed offset technology from Heidelberg.

“Heidelberg is investing in the industry’s future. With the new, intelligent Speedmaster CX 104, we’re making our customers and Heidelberg itself far more competitive,” says CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer. “We’ve developed the press for a broad cross-section of customers and a wide range of applications to target the vast market potential. With our new universal press in the 70 x 100 format, Heidelberg is making state-of-the-art sheetfed offset technology available to a large number of print shops worldwide.”

Printing nearly 100 million worksheets in 2019, Kumon needed to add to its existing fleet of offset presses to keep up with the demand at its Hebron, Kentucky plant. Despite having never purchased from Heidelberg in the past, Kumon selected the Speedmaster XL 106 for several key factors, such as press speed, advanced press technology & automation, Heidelberg’s vast service network, and the availability of parts and consumables.

“We’re able to consistently run the press at top speeds of 18,000 sheets per hour, which is significantly faster than our other two machines. This press is far more advanced than anything we’ve run before. The consistency of it is outstanding, especially since we typically run thinner, uncoated stocks,” said Tom Mock, operations manager for Kumon.

In addition to faster speeds, Mock credits the advanced Push-to-Stop technology on the machine for increasing the overall throughput and productivity of the plant.

Founded in 1929 and employing approximately 90 people, Capital Printing is one of the largest commercial print shops in Austin. President and majority owner, Michael Martin, acquired the company three years ago. Clients are drawn from a variety of market segments, including government, non-profit, education, publishing and retail and typical jobs include newsletters, books and a range of other applications. The company provides offset and digital printing—and hybrid print production—as well as mailing and fulfillment services. In addition to its main facility, Capital has a second location in Austin that specializes in wide-format printing.

“The sales opportunities in the past three years have exceeded my expectations with more opportunity to grow than I thought there would be,” said Martin. “It created a good problem to have. I decided investing in new equipment made sense now because of the increased capacity and productivity gains.”

Capital had been a Komori shop and Martin decided to stay with the manufacturer because the staff was familiar with the equipment and had positive relationships with Komori representatives and technicians. Further, the new GL840P runs 25 per cent faster than the press it replaced.

“The overwhelming advantage of LED is the fact the sheets come off the press dry. That was another huge productivity gain,” said Martin.

Capital Printing is confident the new press will be a key component in its continuing growth.

“We are looking forward to supporting Capital Printing’s growth with both Komori presses, which we know will exceed their requirements and meet customer demands for quick turnaround,” said Mark Milbourn, executive vice-president, Komori America. “The GL840P is designed to provide more options and expanded capabilities for every type of print requirement.”

Training and development

In terms of training and professional development, April Burke, vice president of operations at Bellwyck, pointed out that analytics and data points can help a printer decide on plans for skilled trade operators. She also noted that data produced by an automated offset press helps an operator understand a shop’s capacity loading and operations, and aids in driving some decisions.

“They’re more informed decisions, as opposed to the emotional decisions that we can get caught up in,” she said. “It doesn’t take away that this industry is a very tactile and sensory industry where we still have that emotional connection to the visual product that we produce. However, we need to remain competitive and lean at our operations and become more efficient and when we can really do that is by understanding, truly, how your machines are operating.”

According to Richard Kouwenhoven, president and COO at Hemlock Printers, the data provided by automated offset presses helps operators see how they’re doing against benchmarks. This is something Hemlock is really focusing on right now, he said, adding that the company is designing a new dynamic feedback system for operators.

“We’re spending a lot of time on that kind of design for the reporting system because we don’t want it to be a rear-view mirror; we want it to be live to the operator because it’s not really that valuable when it’s a month old,” he said. “For a press operator, [we’re focusing on] what kinds of cues help them change their habits or give them some feedback to how they’re measuring against the standard without it being overbearing or negative.”

Workflow mapping

During the webinar, Kouwenhoven added that every shop is different, and it takes quite a bit of commitment to get the data out of the printer, and then be able to use it effectively.

Using and reporting the data created by Hemlock’s automated offset presses is where the company is focusing its efforts now. In order to manage and analyse the data being created by Hemlock’s automated offset presses, the company hired an intern to help with some workflow mapping, which has now become a full-time data and workflow analyst position.

“It is no small undertaking,” he said. “This person is in high demand at our company because every department wants to map and dissect workflows. We really didn’t have that role in the company, and now it’s a central role.”

The data and workflow analyst at Hemlock helps administer the analysis and the reporting, something which Kouwenhoven said is becoming invaluable because it’s helping the company tackle some long-term tasks, such as sales reporting.

“We’re really just at the beginning of that journey, but I’m quite excited to see what we’re going to be able to accomplish in the next year or so,” added Kouwenhoven.

Process flows

For Jay Mandarino, president and CEO of CJ Graphics, the data is important to track jobs and determine whether the company is charging enough for a job, or other client-related decisions.

“We use it for more than just tracking automation, we use it for all aspects of our operation,” said Mandarino. “It shows all the special colours we use. How many special colours, how many long run jobs, short run jobs, so we’re able to plan production-wise; we can guesstimate, we can come up with averages.”

According to Mandarino, the data is also vital for making decisions such as getting like-minded machines and technologies to “talk to” one another.

“With the machines and manufacturers willing to work more together than they used to and share information, we can track a lot of things that we couldn’t track before, but some [manufacturers] don’t allow their machines to talk to other machines, so it’s hard to get that full integration when you’re using all different types of machines,” said Mandarino. “If they don’t all talk to each other, it’s hard to track some of that stuff.”

Operations

Burke added that the data can impact how a print shop operates because challenges could arise that a shop perhaps did not recognize as challenges, but that’s precisely the value of analytics that come out of automated presses.

Mandarino agreed. “In this day and age, data is more important than ever. I mean, we’re not just using data in our pre-press, we’re using it in our mail division,” said Mandarino. “We’re using it when we’re doing variable data and selective marketing campaigns. And all these bits of information put together help come up with how we’re going to do certain things.”

“I think what we’re trying to do is not just use that data that is in our manufacturing to improve our productivity and quality, but we’re also trying to figure out how to use that data further upstream to benefit the planners and the estimators so you get a real-time picture on how we’re performing against their standards, and also to add value to the customer experience,” added Kouwenhoven, mentioning order status or automated pricing as two examples. “I think that’s the thing that can give a printer a competitive advantage, if you’re able to leverage that insight to the customer in a variety of ways. Those printers that are able to harness that information and make it travel upstream, I think they’re going to do well.”

Kavita Sabharwal-Chomiuk is the editor of PrintAction.

This article was originally published in the November 2020 issue of PrintAction.

The Rapida 76 is an efficient, high-performance sheetfed offset press due to its new and proven automation functions. Key features include the DriveTronic dedicated drive components, which eliminate complicated gear systems and provide for both simple handling and parallel processes during job changeovers and make-ready.

The Rapida 76 can be comprised by up to 11 printing and finishing units, to be tailored to individual production needs, including a ten-colour press with automatically convertible perfecting unit, packaging presses with double-coating facilities, the production of security documents and more. It is also compatible with different ink and coating systems, including both conventional and UV inks and coatings. Beside IR/hot-air drying systems, various UV, HR-UV and LED-UV systems are also available.

Further special features on the Rapida 76 include:

• Inking units can be disengaged from the press drive if not needed for a particular job, reducing roller wear and cutting make-ready times.
• Unbent plates can be mounted, regardless of whether an automated or simultaneous plate changing system is in use.
• ColorTronic ink ducts with bleed-free ink metering, rendering ink duct foils unnecessary.
• Simultaneous plate changing which allows the change of all plates in 45 seconds, shortening make-ready times.

The Rapida 76 also features application-oriented measuring and control systems, leading to faster make-ready, reduced waste and consistently high print quality. It can be configured with systems for register measurement and control, colour control and sheet inspection. All inline systems operate with a common camera, reducing maintenance requirements and simplifying handling.

Digital services to reduce downtime can be accessed at the press of a button, allowing convenient maintenance of the press.

The Roland 900 Evolution offers a wealth of automation technology to deliver cost and energy savings for printers, along with faster make-ready times. Its features include Autoprint, providing uninterrupted productivity from prepress to post-press at the touch of a button, and InLine ColorPilot 3.0, the most efficient and accurate colour measurement technology available, according to Manroland Sheetfed, measuring densitometrical and colorimetrical values in a single pass.

New Triple Flow inking technology provides three separate inker running modes, while the AC Drive promises annual savings of up to 10,000 kWh, or eight years over the lifetime of the press.

“We are really strong in this sector of the market and this is a natural next step in the development of the product line; using the platform proven on the Roland 700 Evolution machine and going to the larger format,” said Dr. Peter Conrady, head of global sales at Manroland Sheetfed.

“The RICOH Pro C5300s and C5310s can help in-plants bring more work in-house and marketing agencies exceed quality expectations,” the company said in a statement. “Commercial printers can also leverage it as a proofing device to produce high-quality customer proofs without having to interrupt long-run jobs on higher-production presses.”

The models are said to be good options for franchise printers looking to deliver more standout applications with specialty stocks that command premium prices. “Precise registration and colour matching pair with support for a wide range of media – including specialty stocks, synthetics, envelopes and oversized sheet options – to empower design creativity while driving accuracy and reliability,” Ricoh said. “Finishing options take this versatility to the next level, helping users create professionally finished saddle-stitch booklets, course guides, marketing materials and presentations. Meanwhile, intuitive controls make this power even more accessible.”

“Technological innovation has pushed the sheet-fed market forward, first with incredible strides in accuracy, media versatility and image quality, and second, making those advancements accessible to more printers,” said Heather Poulin, vice president, marketing, Commercial Printing Business Group, Ricoh USA Inc. “The RICOH Pro C5300s and C5310s’ affordability and size bring some of the most eye-catching, productivity-enhancing features to an even broader customer base. These presses deliver best-in-class media support for specialty stocks, oversized sheets and heavier weights, a game changer for in-plants and marketing agencies looking to make print pop without breaking the bank.”

The RICOH Pro C5300s and C5310s provide high productivity with full-colour, 2400 by 4800 dpi at up to 80 pages per minute (ppm). Built-in sensors aid front-to-back registration, which has received vast compliments from users for duplexing, especially business cards. Also useful for premium applications, these presses maintain their impressive image quality on media up to 360 gsm.

The RICOH Pro C5300s/C5310s’ 10-inch Smart Operation Panel makes managing the many substrate options available significantly easier with an intuitive paper library that contains 1,000 preset or custom profiles. Additionally, trained customer replaceable units (TCRUs) empower users to execute routine maintenance on their schedule, helping to drive uptime, further contributing to the presses’ reliability.

Both the RICOH Pro C5300s and C5310s are ENERGY STAR certified and carry an EPEAT Gold rating.

Featuring a three double-sized cylinder perfecting mechanism, the GX40P’s impression cylinder, transfer cylinder and perfecting cylinder are each double-sized to avoid stress on the paper. Simplified and highly rigid, use of the new perfecting mechanism ensures high-speed, stable two-sided printing at speeds of 18,000 sheets per hour for both single- and double-sided printing, the press manufacturer explains. Additionally, the GX40P boasts environmentally- and workplace-friendly printing that saves energy and space and reduces exhaust heat.
 
Komori’s GX40P offers a variety of options designed to enhance productivity, such as Parallel Makeready to shorten makeready times and Autopilot for non-stop automation from test printing to production printing. The A-APC (Asynchronous Automatic Plate Changing System), PDC-SX (Spectral Print Density Control – SX model) and PQA-S (inline Print Quality Assessment System) can also be added to make additional quality and productivity improvements possible, the company notes.

The new Lithrone GX40P perfector is now available through Komcan Inc., the exclusive distributor of Komori presses in Canada.

On the occasion of its 200th anniversary last year, the press manufacturer went back to its roots and returned to its founding name Koenig & Bauer as part of a global brand re-launch. In a continuation of this rebranding this year, Print attendees will now see signage for Koenig & Bauer (US) at its booth to be aligned with the new brand.

The company will highlight product offerings ranging from conventional to digital, new customer success stories, and important trends in the industry. The firm invites attendees to learn more about the RotaJET L-series high-volume inkjet web press that offers upgradeability with its modular design, scalable drying system. As well, the firm will showcase its sheetfed Service Select program, and dedicated experts will also be on hand to discuss newspaper retrofits and upgrades.

On the opening day of the show, Koenig & Bauer (US) will be presented with the Printing Industries of America (PIA) 2018 InterTech Technology Award for its Rapida LiveApp before an audience of industry leaders. The Rapida LiveApp, described as the first of its kind in the industry, is one of twelve of the 29 entries to be chosen to receive an InterTech Technology Award.

Described as the industry’s first in-line roll sheeter with integrated lap splicer, the LS model combines the benefits of a traditional roll sheeter with the continuous feed operation made possible by a lap splicer, Quantum explains. The LS model is designed for easy integration with all major medium and large format sheet-fed printing presses up to 65 inches wide for both new and retrofit installations.

“We will be showcasing the new LS model which makes it possible to run 10 million more sheets per year, per press with the ability to have a continuous 24/7 operation,” says Derek Wheeler, General Manager of Quantum Roll Sheeters.

The DualUV system, Benford explains, incorporates LED, eco and conventional UV and cures the low energy UV inks and coatings, as well as traditional UV products. With some printers still using conventional drying methods like spray powder to dry inks and coatings, UV curing is the alternative that offers quicker turnaround, saves time, opens more print opportunities and provides better quality print, says Benford.

“We look forward to exhibiting this technology at PRINT 18, the largest print industry show in the U.S. Anyone involved in print should come down to the exhibition as it offers the widest array of emerging technology in printing and the graphic communications industries,” says Marc Boden, Benford UV Managing Director.

The press can be equipped with a range of options, including Komori’s proprietary H-UV or H-UV L (LED) curing systems. As well, the optional PQA-S Print Quality Assessment System can be added to inspect each sheet for defects and continuously adjust ink keys designed to maintain consistent colour throughout the run—all at maximum speed.

The PQA-S works in conjunction with the PDC-SX Spectral Print Density Control by combining automatic register functions with analysis of print characteristics, such as grey balance, dot gains and Delta E.

The perfecting mechanism of the new 37-inch press does not require any gripper change as the sheet is flipped; instead, the entire gripper mechanism rotates after taking the tail of the sheet from the vacuum cylinder, explains Komori.  This design adds stability and reliability when turning the sheet, boasting a “huge reduction” in maintenance requirements.

Komcan of Georgetown, Ont., is the Canadian dealer for Komori presses.

The new Speedmaster XL 106-DD, explains the company, unites two key production steps in a single machine, describing this as a unique combination in the market. The rotary die-cutter’s first unit places the injection hole in the label for the subsequent production process by means of a die on a magnetic cylinder with a high level of precision. Heidelberg explains even the tiniest holes of five millimeters diameter or more are possible. This has traditionally been a separate production step.

The cut out material is removed by means of an extraction system. The second unit of the XL 106-DD subsequently cuts out the contour of the label from the sheet. Heidelberg explains this combination of the two production steps in a single pass means a doubling of the die-cutting throughput, while makeready times and costs for die cutting tools can be reduced to half of what was previously required.

The XL 106-DD processes foils and paper with thicknesses of 0.05 to 0.3 mm at a throughput of 6,000 to 10,000 sheets per hour – almost twice as fast, according to Heidelberg, than a flatbed die-cutter. The machine is typically set up in 15 minutes.

Injection holes of five millimeters diameter and more can be cut. Apart from in-mould labels, the XL 106-DD can also cut plastic or paper packaging elements, such as POS items which, due to their design, need a window or hole for mounting in the shelf or for attaching to the product.

Komcan explains the system requires minimal investment and no prior experience to accurately record spot nip width at any section of the web or sheetfed process. The product allows for nip readings to be determined instantly and adjustments made while the DigiNip sensors are between your rolls.

The sensor elements that connect into the DigiNip device are designed to provide thousands of readings before replacement is necessary. The technology is designed to act rapidly on the cause of problems, not on the effects.

It is estimated that DigiNip allows users to reduce nip measurement time by at least 50 percent, while also significantly reducing paper waste and providing ink savings based on better water/ink emulsion.

The Speedmaster CS 92 was first launched at China Print 2015 as a press for printers looking to consolidate multiple, older machines or wanting to upgrade from a half-size press to widen their market offering. The new press is available in standard four- and five-colour configurations with and without coater or as a six-colour plus coater model. The CS 92 is also available with UV curing.

Heidelberg states based on its productivity versus price performance, the new press offers the lowest cost per sheet against any other competitive press in its class. With a format size of 25 x 37 inches (8-up letter size sheets), Heidelberg explains customers benefit from a 20 percent plate savings over traditional 40-inch presses.

Built upon the platform of the Speedmaster CD 102, the CS 92 prints up to 15,000 sheets per hour and comes standard with Preset Plus Feeder and Delivery. It can also be equipped with Intellistart technology to shorten makeready times.

Described by Komori as a compact press that can produce A1-size products, the Lithrone G37 provides a 640 x 940 mm maximum sheet size (printing sheets up to 37-inches wide) and is equipped with an updated version of the KHS-AI integrated control system for quick press start-up.

Komori explains colour management can be implemented by including a CMS colour bar on sheets even with 8-up A4 or American letter-size impositions. Its format size is also well suited, explains the company, for printing items in the international standard A1 poster size, while providing flexibility in layout criteria such as bindery register marks.

The Lithrone G37 produces a maximum printing speed of up to 15,000 sheets per hour. It also provides what Komori describes as stable high-speed operation over the 0.04 to 0.6 mm sheet thickness range. The press can be integrated with Komori’s H-UV drying system.

Komori describes the press as being well suited for applications like publication printing, magazines and books, and duplex package printing. Key features of the new press include single-edge gripping, which makes the margin on the tail edge of the sheets unnecessary. This enables paper costs to be cut by minimizing the sheet size.

The Lithrone GX44RP also employs four double-size transfer cylinders, which eliminates sheet reversal and to help provide stable sheet transport for handling either light or heavy stocks through. Additionally, front/back plate imaging is in the same direction, (just as with single-sided presses) increasing efficiency in prepress.

Supported by the KHS-AI integrated control system, benderless Full-APC and the H-UV curing system, the Lithrone GX44RP provides short makeready and powderless instant drying to accommodate fast turnarounds. Options that can be included with the press are the A-APC Asynchronous Automatic Plate Changer, the PDC-SX Spectral Print Density Control SX ,odel and the PQA-S Print Quality Assessment System.

At the heart of the VANTAGE LED program, according to Flint, are EcoLUX LED lamps supplied by Air Motion Systems, which develops LED UV technology often applied in the sheetfed offset industry.

Flint explains VANTAGE LED is geared toward users of legacy UV methods and for those printers who have had no exposure to UV curing methods but are now investigating LED technologies.

“LED curing technology will change sheetfed offset printing forever – there is no doubt,” said Jim Buchanan, Global UV Business Development Director for Flint Group Packaging & Narrow Web. “VANTAGE LED has been developed to ensure those wishing to convert to LED curing can do so with confidence in a very short space of time. Our expert print technicians will audit an operation in the first instance and a full cost-benefit analysis will follow – a press can be converted in as little as one day.

“We have seen a staggering increase in factory-fitted LED presses, but the process of converting existing presses to LED, with retro-fitted lamp systems, allows printers a fast track to the benefits this technology brings.”

The new double-pile delivery for the Rapida 145 is designed to optimize production at packaging companies with high throughput. A waste-free delivery pile which stands next to a smaller pile of waste, explains KBA, can be sent straight to a die-cutter or laminating machine to be converted. Productivity is increased as manually sorting through a pile for waste is now no longer necessary.

KBA explains both piles can be embedded in substrate logistics. Waste can be ejected at full speed, i.e. at 18,000 sheets per hour (Rapida 145) and 20,000 sph (Rapida 106). This allows for start-up and run-up waste to be removed automatically. Further applications are planned in the future, explains KBA, which adds that double-pile delivery makes nonstop pile change at maximum speed safer. Production with two piles is possible in both manual and automatic mode.

Heidelberg explains its Anicolor advantages are summarized with the formula 90-50-50: “Around 90 percent less waste thanks to fast and constant inking. It takes just 20 to 30 start-up sheets to reach the correct ink levels for a new order. The result is a 50 percent reduction in setup times combined with a 50 percent increase in productivity.”

“We presented the Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor as prototypes at drupa 2012. We have sold over 200 printing units since then – split down the middle between commercial and packaging printers,” said Stephan Plenz, member of the management board responsible for Heidelberg Equipment. “At the next drupa we will be showing how easy it can be to complete short production runs quickly, flexibly, and economically using offset printing with the Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor 2.”

The first of three Anicolor 2 innovations highlighted by Heidelberg is the Anicolor Booster, which can be activated at the push of a button on the Prinect Press Center and permits a wider use of inks based on a new setting range for ink density on different printing stocks.

Heidelberg explains, in most cases, Anicolor Booster does away with the need to change the ink chamber as was previously required with very absorbent printing stocks, adding this shortens the setup time in commercial printing since both coated and uncoated paper can now be processed with the same ink series. Heidelberg states this benefit is even more pronounced in packaging printing, with its ever-changing spot colours – up to 15 minutes can be saved here by not having to change the screen roller, which is mostly only required for orders involving the application of opaque white, gold, or silver.

The second innovation of Anicolor 2 highlighted by Heidelberg is a faster washup program that provides for faster ink changes and, therefore, shorter setup times based on 9,000 revolutions per hour instead of the previous 7,000. As a result, Heidelberg explains the changing colour shades can now be achieved up to a minute faster.

The third innovation of Anicolor 2 highlighted by Heidelberg is a new function allowing the operator to choose between “standard,” “short,” or “none” for the ink shut-off time, depending on the colour assignment from one job to the next. The shortened ink shut-off, according to Heidelberg, saves another 20 seconds, while eliminating it altogether reduces the setup time by 40 seconds. The option of “none” is suited for successive orders of the same type.

Anicolor 2 with a new design, new feeder, and the new Prinect Press Center XL 2 will be available as standard from November 2016. A number of technical functions such as the new Anicolor Booster and the faster washup programs will be available earlier from July 2016.

The UV market is changing: Besides the classic UV medium pressure lamps, in recent years the curing of inks and varnishes by means of UV LEDs has been established. This has even opened up whole new business areas, e.g. in the industrial joining technology. Offering both types of UV systems, IST METZ GmbH has even further expanded the LED business this year. Apart from the successful market launch of its own high-performance LED products, the acquisition of the majority interest in the British UV systems manufacturer Integration Technology Ltd. in May brought an additional gain in expertise in this field.

Christian-Marius Metz, grandson of deceased company founder Gerhard Metz and previous Head of the Central Area Operations & Services, becomes Chief Executive Officer of IST METZ.

Holger Kühn was named Managing Director Sales. He has been part of the company for 17 years in various functions in sales, most recently as Head of the Central Area Sales. Dr. Robert Sänger will complete the management board at the beginning of next year as Managing Director Technology. Having been Head of Development at the subsidiary eta plus electronic GmbH, he will now join the parent company. Dirk Jägers, previous Managing Director of IST METZ GmbH, left the company.

“We are looking forward to running the company in the spirit of my grandfather”, said Christian-Marius Metz. “We are leading in the industry in terms of know-how in UV technology, and we will know how to make the most of it.”

Launched worldwide at the beginning of 2015, the Komori Lithrone GLX sheetfed press features a fully automatic, non-stop feeder and delivery, camera inspection and inline colour control. The GLX’ A-APC plate changers can change plates in one minute regardless of number of printing units. The company also points toward how the press runs on vegetable-based greases and oils. The new Komori GLX is rated at 18,000 impressions per hour, and although focused for the carton market, is described as a versatile machine is also suitable for the high-end or ultra-quick make-ready commercial market, as well as printers with long runs.

Scheduled for a launch after Graph Expo 2015, the Komori IS 29 is a B2-format sheetfed UV inkjet press that can operate in perfecting or straight mode, printing on up to 18 point board substrates. It runs at 3,300 sheets per hour in straight mode. The IS 29 is a 20-inch web-fed machine that prints at up to 150 meters per second. According to Komori, this machine will be available as a roll-to-roll, roll-to-sheet, roll-to-saddle stitching or roll-to-perfecting binding configurations.

PQA-S, introduced in 2014 for Komori press integration, is an external camera inspection system designed to detect defects like hickies, scratches, dry-up, lost image, oil drops, that can occur during printing. In addition to detecting colour changes, PQA-S automatically corrects them. The system is focused through a narrow slit in the catwalk to the last impression cylinder. It photographs each sheet at press speed for comparing to master sheet.

Launched in June 2015, the Rapida 105 PRO is a new medium-format sheetfed offset press. At 17,000 sph, the press delivers a slightly higher level of performance in terms of production, a larger standard sheet format of 740 x 1,050 mm, shorter makeready times based on more automation and a new operating concept. KBA explains it also offers more equipment flexibility and greater scope for customization. One of the Rapida 105 PRO’s key features, according to KBA, is the full preset capabilities from the feeder through the printing units to delivery. All of the settings at the feeder and delivery can be stored according to job type, which can be leveraged with repeat jobs or orders printed on the same substrate.

The interest in LED-UV technology has grown substantially over the past couple years, particularly for the its use on sheetfed offset perfecting presses. Introduced in summer 2014, KBA’s VariDry LED-UV system is designed for commercial and packaging printers from small to large format. The instant cure-to-print system offers low energy costs to power LED-UV, flexibility to easily move LED-UV lamps interchangeably on press, as well as environmental and safety benefits.

Introduced in January 2015, the RotaJET L and VL inkjet presses serve a range of applications for book, advertising and publications printing as well as additional industrial application fields, like decorative and packaging printing. At Graph Expo the company will be focused on its RotaJET 130 L and RotaJET 168 VL digital inkjet models.

RotaJET presses, explains KBA, feature a web guidance system over two large cylinders without turner bars, which result in optimum web tension and a high print and register quality even on thin paper. The modular RotaJET L platform is available in five different web widths from 35.2 to 51.1 inches and can be upgraded to the maximum printing width and colour content or configured to suit all fundamental application areas in the high-volume digital printing segment. Retrofitting future generations of printing heads is also possible allowing users to react quickly and economically to changing demands.

Compared to the Rapida 105, which is still available, at 17,000 sph the new press delivers a slightly higher level of performance in terms of production, a larger standard sheet format of 740 x 1,050 mm, shorter makeready times based on more automation and a new operating concept. KBA explains it also offers more equipment flexibility and greater scope for customization.

One of the Rapida 105 PRO’s key features, according to KBA, is the full preset capabilities from the feeder through the printing units to delivery. All of the settings at the feeder and delivery can be stored according to job type, which can be leveraged with repeat jobs or orders printed on the same substrate.

The Rapida 105 PRO is also available with semi-automatic plate change (change in every printing unit) and automatic plate change (fully automatic change in all units in 2.8 minutes). Optional features include DriveTronic SRW (simultaneous roller wash), CleanTronic Multi (ink changes) and CleanTronic UV. KBA explains its Fast Clean feature enables the high-speed washing of rollers and cuts washing times from four to two minutes.

The EasyClean ink duct’s non-stick coating shortens cleaning times when changing inks. In addition, the ink ducts do not have any expendable parts, which need to be replaced frequently. As it is not equipped with a film liner, KBA explains deviations when setting to zero are prevented and ensures that the ink zone settings can be reproduced precisely.

In terms of flexibility, the Rapida 105 PRO is available with up to 10 printing units, perfecting, as well as single and multiple coating applications. In addition to its potential position in commercial printing, the press is equipped with a range of features suited to packaging printing. This includes what KBA describes as coating unit function valued by packaging printers when changing coating plates, setting the register at the console and the coater and when automatically cleaning the coating circuit or the hydro-pneumatic adjustable doctor-blade chamber. This is in addition to the option of non-stop systems in the feeder and delivery up to the integration in fully automated pile logistics.

Microflute, film and lightweight paper packages or kit for in-mould film are available for special applications. The Rapida 105 PRO covers a range of substrate thicknesses from 0.04 mm to 1.6 mm. KBA explains the press’ gripper systems do not need adjusting even when making extreme substrate changes. It can also be integrated with special components like a reel-to-sheet unit, perforation and numbering unit, iris printing device, or the KBA ColdFoiler.

KBA explains a new, intuitive operating concept for the Rapida 105 PRO allows all functions to be controlled via touchscreen with a maximum of two touches of a button. The Rapida 105 PRO’s ErgoTronic console no longer features a data entry keyboard. Icons allow operators to change systems.

The new JobAccess program facilitates savings in makeready times of up to 50 percent, according to KBA, and new tools for setting up ink profiles reduce start-up waste. A job list with preview images and optimization functions for determining the sequence of jobs is also featured to speed up production changes. HR and LED drying are also available with the Rapida 105 PRO, including the VariDry Blue drying system.

At drupa 2012, Heidelberg unveiled the Speedmaster XL 75 with an Anicolor inking unit, following the 2006 introduction of its smaller 13.78 x 19.69-inch Speedmaster with the same Anicolor technology. The Speedmaster SX 52 Anicolor has been available as a perfecting press since 2008 and as a UV press since 2010.

The Speedmaster XL 75, running a maximum sheet size of 530 x 750 mm (20.87 x 29.53 inches), reaches production speeds of up to 15,000 sheets per hour.

This year’s Red Dot Awards program attracted nearly 5,000 entries from 56 countries. Founder and President of Singapore-based Red Dot, Professor Peter Zec, said manroland had showed “uncompromising competency and considerable courage.”

The competition’s jury was made up of designers, academics and journalists from 25 countries. manroland’s CEO, Rafael Penuela, said: “We are naturally thrilled to have won this award. Printing presses are not usually recognized for their design. It’s a tribute to our team here in Germany who conceived, developed and launched the Evolution in just two years.”

Evolution press design
Manroland explains the Roland 700 Evolution press is designed from the ground up and incorporates what the company describes as a futuristic look and new technological developments. Its newly designed central console, for example, replaces buttons with touchscreen panels that provide detailed graphical information – with options for left- and right-handed operation, as well as customization for different operator body heights.

The Evolution press’ new feeder pile transport is designed to provide an upward motion of the pile-carrying plate and improved sheet travel from the feeder to delivery. This leads to fewer interruptions, according to Manroland, less start-up waste and reduced walking distances to the feeder. The company also explains solid fixing of the suction head reduces vibration and wear, while ensuring safer sheet separation and higher average printing speeds.

The press also includes completely redesigned cylinder-roller bearings, while separate bearings for radial and axial rotation provide better absorption of vibrations with fewer doubling effects and, Manroland explains, longer bearing life and significant improvements in print quality.

All-new dampening units in the Evolution press bring greater solidity with fewer roller vibrations during passing of the plate cylinder channel and fewer stripes. Manroland also points to new software for practice-oriented roller washing cycles to further reduce downtime with more precise dosage of the dampening solution over the entire width, reducing the possibility of skewing the dampening dosage roller.

In terms of environmentally progressive design, the press includes a new three-phase AC motor designed to provide high power output with lower energy consumption.

The new press also features a new chambered doctor blade system for producing gloss effects. Manroland explains this system, with additional profile, provides higher solidity over the entire width of the doctor blade, and a more even varnish application. The company states it also features better absorption of vibrations of the Anilox roller and doctor blade caused by passing the coating form cylinder, while also resulting in fewer stripes, especially in combination with pigmented varnish.

Newly developed suction belt sheet brake technology offers higher printing speeds combined with improved sheet alignment and tail edge stabilization. Manroland explains this provides a more even pile contour and reduces the risk of misaligned sheets in the delivery pile.

For more on the new Evolution 700, read Victoria Gaitskell’s feature article, Evolution of the 700, from PrintAction December 2014.

KOMCAN states its rebrand is a move that will allow the market to better identify with the authorized agent for Komori printing presses and auxiliary equipment, including factory approved service, parts and consumable products, in Ontario and Western Canada.

“We felt that with the changing times in the printing industry and our close relationship with Komori it was a good time to rebrand,” said Steve Ranson, President of KOMCAN. “Komori is diversifying into many different print markets such as printed electronics and digital equipment that present new opportunities for our company and for our customers.”

“Throughout our company’s history we have been known for bringing innovative new technology to the printing industry,” said Manroland Sheetfed CEO, Rafael Penuela. “The Roland 700 Evolution press is the latest ground-breaking new press which we believe will be yet another milestone in the evolution of print technology.”

Manroland explains the Roland 700 Evolution press is designed from the ground up and incorporates what the company describes as a futuristic look and new technological developments. Its newly designed central console, for example, replaces buttons with touchscreen panels that provide detailed graphical information – with options for left- and right-handed operation, as well as customization for different operator body heights.

The Evolution press’ new feeder pile transport is designed to provide an upward motion of the pile-carrying plate and improved sheet travel from the feeder to delivery. This leads to fewer interruptions, according to Manroland, less start-up waste and reduced walking distances to the feeder. The company also explains solid fixing of the suction head reduces vibration and wear, while ensuring safer sheet separation and higher average printing speeds.

The press also includes completely redesigned cylinder-roller bearings, while separate bearings for radial and axial rotation provide better absorption of vibrations with fewer doubling effects and, Manroland explains, longer bearing life and significant improvements in print quality.

All-new dampening units in the Evolution press bring greater solidity with fewer roller vibrations during passing of the plate cylinder channel and fewer stripes. Manroland also points to new software for practice-oriented roller washing cycles to further reduce downtime with more precise dosage of the dampening solution over the entire width, reducing the possibility of skewing the dampening dosage roller.

In terms of environmentally progressive design, the press includes a new three-phase AC motor designed to provide high power output with lower energy consumption.

The new press also features a new chambered doctor blade system for producing gloss effects. Manroland explains this system, with additional profile, provides higher solidity over the entire width of the doctor blade, and a more even varnish application. The company states it also features better absorption of vibrations of the Anilox roller and doctor blade caused by passing the coating form cylinder, while also resulting in fewer stripes, especially in combination with pigmented varnish.

Newly developed suction belt sheet brake technology offers higher printing speeds combined with improved sheet alignment and tail edge stabilization. Manroland explains this provides a more even pile contour and reduces the risk of misaligned sheets in the delivery pile.