Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75
The Speedmaster XL 75 series is Heidelberg’s solution in the 50 × 70cm format. This range includes presses with two to 12 printing units and an optional perfecting or coating unit.
Depending on printers’ requirements, the Speedmaster XL 75 can be equipped with packages to shorten makeready times and boost productivity. It can also be combined with various components, such as Star System peripherals from Heidelberg, for a made-to-measure machine that offers added value and an opportunity to differentiate in a crowded market.
The XL 75 is also fully available with special configurations for packaging, security and specialty printers, such as double coating units, rainbow printing, duo presses, LPL perfecting coating models and Foilstar.
Heidelberg says that to date more than 15,000 units of the Speedmaster XL 75 have been delivered worldwide.
Quick specs:
Production speed: standard max 15,000 sph, straight printing max 18,000sph
Max sheet size (F format/C format):
605 × 750mm or 530 × 750mm
Min sheet size (straight printing):
210 × 350 mm
Min sheet size (perfecting mode, F format): 340 × 350mm
Min sheet size (perfecting mode, C format): 300 × 350mm
Max print format (F format/C format):
585 × 740mm or 510 × 740mm
Max stock thickness: 0.04mm to 0.80mm
KBA Rapida 75
KBA’s venerable Rapida 75 is now more automated than ever, and offers greater versatility because of it, says KBA.
It offers production speeds up to 16,000sph with a minimal footprint, and according to KBA, uses only about half the power of other comparable B2 presses.
Among its automation initiatives is ErgoTronic SpectroDrive, an automatic colour measurement directly on the console, QualiTronic ColorControl inline colour control, and ErgoTronic ACR, a compact, hand-held measuring system for register control.
Its unit design offers double-size impression cylinders and transfer drums for reliable sheet travel over the whole substrate range. Its cylinders use a ‘7 o’clock’ cylinder arrangement.
KBA Australasia’s David Lewis says, “One of our most important offerings on this press, an option only available from KBA, is our VariDry Blue drying system, which delivers energy savings through recirculation of the partially saturated drying air within the extended delivery on presses equipped with IR/Hot Air drying. KBA is also the only press manufacturer to make its own drying systems.
“Our Rapida 75 is a competitively priced press ideal for short run jobbing printers in particular, but which can handle up to 0.8mm board as well. We offer full operator training and we have locally based technicians and spare parts for the Rapida 75.”
Quick Specs:
Configurations: 2-8 colours and coater
Sheet size: 530 x 750mm, 605 x 750mm option
Print size: 510 x 735mm standard, 585 x 735mm option
Production speed: standard 15,000sph
option 16,000sph
Substrates: 0.04mm to 0.6mm standard,
0.04mm to 0.8mm option
Komori Lithrone S29
Komori’s Lithrone S29 has been developed in response to the need for on-demand and short run printing, and pricing pressure.
Rayne Simpson, general manager of Komori agent Ferrostaal ANZ says the Lithrone S29 has the capacity to finish ten jobs of 200 pages each in just one hour.
Billed as the ultimate short run printing machine, the Lithrone S29 is a highly automated press which Simpson says gives the world’s shortest setup time.
The Lithrone S29 incorporates Komori’s most advanced technologies, including the new Full-APC (what Komori says is the first fully automatic plate-changing system). The press also comes with completely automatic washup of the blanket and impression cylinders and inking rollers.
Simpson says there is seamless interlocked operation of these automatic systems, to achieve the shortest makeready available.
The makeready functions work together to reduce the time from the end of one 200-page job to the start of the next job by 50 per cent to a mere six minutes. Simpson says this job changeover time is a powerful instrument for handling short-run work profitably.
The major advantages of the Lithrone S29 include high print quality, reproducibility, inking and distribution, and colour brilliance along with productivity. The printing units are at the core of this quality. They incorporate an optimised roller configuration derived from a computer analysis to specify the ideal model for maintaining the optimum balance of ink and water, ensuring sufficient ink retention, and attaining high quality.
In addition the H-UV Innovative Curing System is the core technology of OffsetOnDemand. This is a powderless UV drying system that enables instant drying using a UV lamp developed with Komori’s own know-how and high-sensitivity UV ink. H-UV enables immediate drying with just one lamp for each printed side of the sheet and offers ecological and economical benefits as well as high quality and reliability. OffsetOnDemand is enabled as a total workflow by the combination of Komori technologies such as KHS-AI and H-UV.
Recent successful installations of this technology are Rawson Graphics, NSW, with a five-colour S29 H-UV, and a six-colour S29 with coater & H-UV has gone into Scott Print, WA.
Quick specs:
Configurations: 2, 4 – 8 colours + coater
Sheet sizes: 530 x 750mm
Print sizes: 520 x 740mm
Production speeds: 16,000sph
Feeder pile height: 800mm
Delivery pile height: 900mm
manroland R500
According to manroland, the Roland 500 offers the world’s flattest sheet travel during printing, helping it to print faster and with fewer sheet markings.
It can handle substrates up to 1mm thick, with three different height settings for the transferter gripper bars, allowing sheets from 0.04mm to 1.0mm to be transported through the press virtually contact free over the air tracks.
Its ability to process a greater variety of substrate thicknesses lets the Roland handle the work of two machines dedicated to paper and board respectively.
A wide range of optional manroland applications, including coater with automated plate tensioning, InlineFoiler and InlinePerfector, allow for a wider range of jobs with higher quality finishes and enables print companies to position themselves at the top end of their market. The automated clamping and tensioning system for InlineCoater ensures higher production efficiency.
The Roland 500 prints at a maximum speed of 18,000 sheets per hour.
Quick Specs:
Max output: 16,000sph, 18,000 (optional)
Max output perfecting mode: 15,000sph
Max sheet format: 530 x 740mm,
590 x 740mm (optional)
Max printing area: 510 x 740mm,
580 x 740mm (optional)
Stock thickness range: 0.06 to 0.6mm,
0.04 to 1.0mm (optional)
Presstek 75DI
Presstek DI digital offset presses combine the ease of use of digital with the versatility and high speed, quality output and low production costs of offset print.
As demand for shorter run lengths, faster turnaround and lower cost printed products increases, 80 per cent of all print runs are fewer than 5,000 and the number of long runs is declining. To address this change print shops need to bridge the production gap between digital and offset. Presstek claims the 75DI is designed to maximise profitability on run lengths from 500 to 20,000 sheets, thus bridging that gap cost effectively.
Compared to similarly sized inkjet presses the Presstek 75Di’s multi-tower configurations and offset printing accommodate a wider range of inks, varnish and stocks.
The Presstek 75DI features on-press, chemistry free, digital plate imaging – all plates are simultaneously imaged in register, cleaned and prepared for printing with no operator intervention, in six minutes. It prints waterless, with less dot gain and a broader colour gamut at 300lpi on any stocks, including onion skin, up to 0.6mm as standard, with a 0.8mm option available. It also offers aqueous and UV coating options, so is ideal for on-demand and web-to-print sales models.
The distributor for Presstek in Australia, Onyx Solutions, provides a network of field engineers.
It also has customer care reps technical support engineers, and on-board monitoring of digital offset systems.
Remote diagnostics and predictable maintenance are available for DI presses with Presstek Guardian Service. Through secure internet communication with a DI press, Presstek and Onyx monitor operating conditions and performance, log events and upload software upgrades to enhance press performance.
Quick Specs:
Max sheet size: 788mm × 600mm
Min sheet size: 279mm × 200mm
Max print format: 760mm × 580mm
Stock thickness: 0.04mm to 0.6mm,
(optional 0.8mm)
Imaging system: laser multi diode, single lens/one per tower
Image resolution: 2,540 dots/inch
(100 dots/mm)
Imaging time: all plates imaged simultaneously in two minutes
Spot size: 16 microns
Plate media: ProFire digital media
Screen ruling: up to 200lpi for FM (stochastic) and 300lpi dependent on job
Run length: 20,000
Max print speed: 16,000sph
Colours: 4-6
Inking process: waterless offset
Ryobi 750G
The Ryobi 750G B2 press, distributed here by Cyber Australia, is available in configurations from two to ten colours, and combines print speeds up to 16,000 sheets per hour.
Ryobi’s proprietary Smart Make-Ready function is designed to reduce makeready waste and time. This function automatically performs blanket cleaning, plate changing, preset inking and test printing.
The new Smart-RPC plate changer changes plates automatically and simultaneously by synchronising the phase of plate cylinders. Plate changing for an eight-colour convertible perfecting press is shortened to around two minutes from about five minutes with the system.
The new Ryobi 750 features Ryobi’s programme inking function for a faster start-up to reduce downtime, with a density control system.
It also features a convertible perfecting device, UV coating and printing for high value-added printing. The LED-UV dry-to-dry printing system is ozone free, improves turnaround time and eliminates work-in-progress.
A casting and foiling printing system for anti-counterfeiting print is available to diversify print offerings and add value to commercial jobs.
The Ryobi 750G series presses are CIP4 and JDF compliant, and Ryobi claims up to 100 print jobs are possible in a 24-hour shift.
When equipped with conventional UV or LED-UV, high value added printing such as on synthetic substrates, foiled cardboard, chemical embossed printing and matte masking process printing can be achieved.
With LED-UV printing, the space and time allocated to work-in-progress can be eliminated. Spray powder can also be removed, providing a dust free environment. Printing defects such as set-off and scuffing can be minimised.
Cyber Australia has 20 factory trained service contractors across all states for back-up service. The company works closely with several experienced finance brokers across all states, so finance can be secured.
The base Ryobi 755 five-colour B2 press starts from $980,000.
Quick specs:
Max paper size: 788 x 600mm
Min paper size: 279 x 200mm
Max printing area: S type 765 x 545mm,
XL type 765 x 580mm
Paper thickness: 0.4mm to 0.6mm
Print speeds: 3,000 – 16,000sph
PLATES
Agfa :Azura TU
Agfa says its :Azura TU plate is designed for high volume printing while simplifying platemaking, and is easy on the environment.
The :Azura TU is a true chemistry-free plate that can handle print runs up to 150,000. Based on Agfa Graphics’ award winning ThermoFuse technology, the image on the :Azura TU is created during exposure and the non-image areas are cleaned out in one simple gumming step. Contrary to conventional platemaking, all processing variables are eliminated, resulting in a stable and consistent image of the original data. It offers imaging quality up to 240lpi with Sublima screening.
With a plate sensitivity of 160mJ/cm², maximum plate throughput can be achieved on most commercial CtP platesetters.
In combination with Agfa’s Avalon N8-80XT a throughput of more than 50 B1 plates per hour is now within reach.
The :Azura TU offers the convenience of daylight operation, and its scratch resistant surface provides easy handling, simple visual inspection and quality control, ensuring that plates are mounted on press in the right order.
Made of high-grade aluminium, the :Azura TU uses Agfa’s Flat Grain Technology — an electrochemically grained and anodised aluminium base that is coated with a single layer containing ThermoFuse particles small enough to deliver sharp highlight reproduction. During the exposure on standard 830nm thermal platesetters, the coating absorbs the heat. This heat causes these particles to fuse to each other and bond firmly to the aluminium substrate, so image formation is a 100 per cent physical process, not chemical. The non-imaged areas can be washed away with the Azura CX gum in the :Azura CX clean-out unit. At the same time, the gum protects the hydrophilic aluminium substrate from oxidation.
Quick specs:
Technology: ThermoFuse negative working
Substrate: grained and anodised aluminium
Spectral sensitivity: 830nm thermal
Plate sensitivity: 160mJ/cm2
Resolution AM/XM: up to 1-99 per cent at 240lpi Sublima
FM capability: 20um
Run length: 10,000 for UV, up to 150,000
Fujifilm Brillia Pro HD T3
Fujifilm introduced its first processless plate, the Brillia HD PRO-T, to the market in 2006, and it was taken up rapidly because a processor, with its costs and problems, was not required.
Fujifilm has since introduced a second generation plate, the Brillia HD PRO-T2 in 2008, and now offers the Brillia HD PRO-T3, the third generation.
According to Fujifilm, the Brillia HD PRO-T3 incorporates three technologies designed to optimise performance.
These include a new Multigrain V (MGV) technology. This micro-graining process applied to the surface of the aluminium promises the widest possible latitude in ink/water balance on-press. There is also a multi-layer coating exclusive to Fujifilm which provides different functionalities within ultra-thin layers.
An undercoat layer incorporating Rapid Stable Start-up (RSS) technology speeds up the removal of the plate coating by the ink and ultimately onto the paper.
Because it is a completely dry process, the Brillia HD PRO-T3 can be imaged in an office environment if required.
Quick Specs:
Print application: commercial
Laser type: thermal LD 830 nm (800 – 850nm)
Technology: non-ablative, processless
Sensitivity: 120 mJ/cm2
Resolution: 200 lpi (1 – 99 per cent)
FM screen compatible: yes, FM20
Gauges: 0.15, 0.20, 0.30 mm
Safelight: white 400 lux for two hours for latent image visibility
Latent image: up to 1 week
Run length unbaked: 100,000
Kodak Sonora XP Process Free Plates
Kodak says its Sonora XP Process Free Plates are a new class of offset plates, letting printers realise the benefits of eliminating processing without sacrificing productivity or quality. Sonora XP Plates are completely process free, meaning that there is no plate processing step, no chemistry and no processing equipment.
Sonora XP Plates combine the benefits of process free with the productivity and print capabilities of mainstream plates and have a stronger latent image than previous process free plates.
Kodak says the environmental benefits of removing the processing step are clear. Printers eliminate all processing chemistry and waste, and they reduce water and electricity usage.
Economic benefits include not just cutting out chemistry and using less water and energy, but also eliminating all the costs related to maintaining processing equipment and disposing of chemistry. One of the biggest potential savings comes from eliminating the variability caused by processing, which can lead to poor quality, plate remakes, additional waste on press, and more.
Fast imaging speeds, long run lengths and strong print capabilities make Sonora XP Plates suitable for a range of printers, large and small, using sheetfed or web. Specifications are similar to mainstream processed plates, allowing printers to meet customers’ needs while enjoying the environmental and economic benefits of a process free plate.
With the ability to satisfy up to two-thirds of the world’s offset printing requirements, the Sonora XP Plate is the first plate with the potential to shift the industry to process free plate making.
Quick specs:
Plate type: non-ablative, thermal, negative-working (write-the-image) plate, process free
Substrate: electrochemically grained and
anodised aluminium
Gauges: 0.15mm, 0.20mm, 0.30mm,
and 0.40mm
Spectral sensitivity: 800 – 850 nm
Laser energy*: 150 mJ/cm2 on Kodak Platesetters with Kodak SquareSpot Imaging Technology, 75 mJ/cm2 on Kodak Achieve Platesetter
Resolution*: 1 to 99 per cent @ 200 lpi
FM capability*: 20-micron stochastic
Run length*: Up to 100,000 impressions with sheetfed presses
Up to 50,000 impressions for
offset packaging (non UV)
Up to 10,000 impressions for
the UV-ink applications
Xingraphics Prius + Hybrid
Ferag Australia, distributor of Xingraphics plates here, is excited by brand new plate
technology from Xingraphics that the company is due to release in the near future – the Xingraphics Prius+ Hybrid.
According to Xingraphics, the plate graining technology allows for lower water usage in most print environments, especially when printing alcohol free or with an alcohol substitute. The average water saving is 10 to 15 per cent, and Xingraphics says in some cases it can be significantly higher.
Due to the physical characteristics involved in ink/water balance on press, a reduction in water also means that ink consumption can be reduced by the same percentage and still achieve the desired solid ink densities. This allows for faster makeready, improved colour control and faster drying times.
Xingraphics says the Primus+ Hybrid plate is its lowest chemical consumption product. Replenishment rates are typically 70-90ml/sqm. The combination of low chemical consumption and its grain technology can lower printers’ carbon footprint.
Performance in dot reproduction and linearity is reportedly excellent, with the dot proportion tolerance less than one per cent without calibration. This gives printers the ability to print at 10 micron FM screening.
Up to 250,000 impressions are possible without post-baking, rising to more than one million impressions when baked.
According to Ian Martin at Ferag Australia, the key advantage over other plates is the ability to significantly reduce the amount of water and ink in the printing process.
“A number of trials have been performed with customers throughout the world and the results have been quite spectacular,” he tells ProPrint.
Quick Specs:
Screening: To 10 micron FM screening
Max impressions: 250,000 unbaked, one million baked
Water use reductions: 10-15 per cent
BLANKETS
Böttcher Top (BT) 7501
The Böttcher BT7501 differs from most blankets available in the market, primarily due to its construction and combination of compressible layer technologies. Böttcher claims that this blanket’s mechanical features and performance stand out from the crowd.
While most blankets with three or four-ply construction would have a fabric ply between the print surface and compressible layer, the BT7501 doesn’t.
As a result the fabric plies underneath the compressible layer are protected by that layer in case of format changes, double sheets and/or folded sheets. A blanket with the fabric ply located between the printing surface and the compressible layer isn’t – as a result the blanket gets damaged by excess pressure and never fully recovers, resulting in the need for a blanket change.
The BT7501 has no fabric ply between the printing surface and the compressible layer, so there is no room for damage. The blanket can thus resist format changes and recover from double sheets and/or folded sheets. The absence of fabric ply between print surface and compressible layer also gives the blanket an extra suppleness on the surface that allows it to handle uneven substrates and thickness variations with ease.
Unlike the majority of blankets available, the BT7501 also has two compressible layers, not one. This means it is resistant to excess pressure and can compensate for mechanical shortcomings such as cylinder bounce (streaks), press specific vibrations and press wear.
The top compressible layer uses standard and common microsphere technology with atmospheric pressure, while the bottom layer uses blowing agent technology with pressurised voids to recover instantly after every nip, extending service life.
Quick Specs:
Fabric plies: 3
Compressible layer: microspheres and pressurised voids
Identification lines: none
Surface colour: green
Finish: ground and polished
Roughness (Ra): 0.7 – 1.0μm
Micro-hardness: 60° Shore A
Overall hardness: 79° Shore A
Tensile strength: > 3750N/50 mm
Elongation at 500N/50 mm: < 1 per cent
Gauge loss at tensioning and running in: < 2 per cent
Nominal gauge: 1.96 mm (+/-0.02 mm)
Trelleborg Vulcan Combo
Since adding Trelleborg’s offset blanket to its range of consumable products more than six years ago, local consumable manufacturer DS Chemport (Australia) has made the most of the positive reputation of both Trelleborg brands, Vulcan and Rollin.
While Trelleborg’s products cater for all market segments, in the commercial B2 sheetfed market the Vulcan Combo style is a specialist sheetfed printing blanket.
DS Chemport reports that this blanket’s major benefits include excellent smash recovery properties, which originated in the packaging sector.
Being able to finish jobs following a smash on the press without the need to stop to change blankets (and often packings to go with it) is a distinct productivity advantage. Vulcan Combo’s carcass construction provides this ability.
A blanket feature often overlooked is its washability. Trelleborg claims the Vulcan Combo’s surface rubber chemistry lets users reduce wash intervals and chemical consumption. This can pay dividends in direct and indirect costs by being able to run the press more without stopping for wash-ups.
The company also claims that the Vulcan Combo’s hybrid rubber chemistry offers high resistance to all chemistry to which the blanket is exposed. These chemicals are forced onto the blanket surface by the printing ink, the blanket wash, the fount solution and the paper used.
The idea of hybrid blanket surfaces originated when hybrid inks appeared on the market. These products tried to combine the features of both conventional and UV curing inks. Instant curing of the UV system along with good lithographic characteristics of conventional ink systems called for a resilient blanket to withstand the challenge.
The Vulcan Combo can be used for printing paper, foils, cartons and metal decorating.
Quick Specs:
Printing surface colour: Light blue
Thickness: 1.96mm
Surface roughness: 0.6 Ra micron
Ink compatibility: Hybrid
Elongation: <0.9 per cent
Tensile strength: >60N/mm
Water solvent protected: no
INKS
DIC Syner G Ex
To provide an ink that suits the majority of applications for commercial printers, DIC/Sun Chemical has developed Syner G Ex to perform right across the press room.
According to the company, it has a resin/oil combination that particularly suits modern high speed perfectors. Work-and-turn is also an application for Syner G Ex, because of its fast setting speed.
Syner G Ex was formulated as a low mineral content hybrid type ink offering improvements in environmental footprint compared with traditional mineral based inks. It also offers high gloss, high scuff resistance and aqueous coatability.
DIC says Syner G Ex is suitable for publication and commercial printing, and can be printed inline with water based coatings or inline/offline with oil-based sealers to accelerate the print shop workflow. The application of UV coatings, both inline and offline, might require the use of a primer.
Syner G Ex dries by absorption and oxidation, is duct fresh and supplied ready for use. The use of additives is not required. It is suitable for all types of offset printing plates, but is not recommended for sensitive food packaging and outdoor posters or for printing on impervious substrates (films, foils).
Syner G Ex is available in all major pack sizes including 2.5kg cans, 2kg cartridges and 200kg drums for pump systems. DIC Australia can provide installation and management of ink dispensing pumps, as it already has several installations across the country.
Syner G EX is fully compliant to ISO 2846-1 and suitable for achieving ISO 12647-2 on press.
Quick Specs:
Ink use: sheetfed offset
Colours: black, cyan, magenta, yellow
Light fastness:
black – 8
cyan – 8
magenta – 5
yellow – 5
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