This will be Chengdu Boray Media’s second Comet, following a four-tower version with six reelstands and two folders that came on stream in mid-2003. The new press will have a heatset capability for semi-commercials.
Chengdu Boray Media, in Chengdu, capital of dynamic Sichuan province, incorporates three newspaper publishing houses – Chengdu Economic Daily, Chengdu Daily and Chengdu Evening News – plus one of the biggest printing operations in western China, Boray Printing Company.
Boray Printing director Jiang Xuemei says its 250 employees printed in 2004 about 1.35 billion newspapers. “We handle a lot of contract work and the excellent print quality the Comet delivers has enabled us to grow our business in a highly competitive market,” says Xuemei. “Now we are investing in a semi-commercial capability to address rising demand. After comparing a number of SC presses we chose the Comet for its superior technology and performance.”
The 75,000cph Comet will have a web width variable from 635 to 1,000mm (25 – 39½”) and a 546mm (21½”) cut-off. It will be configured as two four-high H-type towers with two reelstands, colour and cut-off register controls for the heatset web, a KF 3 folder (2:3:3 cylinder ratio), Gämmerler compensating stacker, a thermal air dryer and two EAE consoles.
The Guiyang Daily in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou, has ordered a six-tower Comet with six reelstands, three KF 3 jaw folders and Gämmerler compensating stackers for a new 16,000m2 (172,000ft²) printing facility. Web width and cut-off will be the same as in the Comet for Chengdu.
Other features include automatic colour register control and ink pumping, EAE consoles with PRINT PP software for press preset and control, a RIP interface and a diagnostics PC for remote maintenance.
Guiyang Daily was established in 1957 and employs over 400 people in its publishing and printing departments. Alongside five dailies and two magazines its activities also extend to the internet.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter