Presses @ Graph Expo

Printing systems of all stripes will be showcased at this year's biggest print industry trade show. As a result, exhibit space at Graph Expo & Converting Expo, running Oct. 15-18 at Chicago's McCormick Place, has already topped 400,000 sq.ft. with nearly 600 exhibiting companies planning to be there.

While some exhibitors have slimmed down the size of their booths, in some cases bringing less machinery but more multimedia presentations—the net effect is a show that is larger and it is still growing. “We are very close to being sold out and having a waiting list for exhibitors,” says Ralph Nappi, new president of the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC).

Shaping up to be the largest national show since 2000 (excluding the mammoth, quadrennial Print 05 show, of course), firms of all sizes will be able to find technology and supplies that fit their needs.

Audience data from 2004 found that 86% of the 50 largest print companies sent at least one person; and of the largest 100 companies, nearly 80% had high-ranking managers on hand. Of printers with $7 million or more in revenue, nearly two-thirds were represented, reports GASC; while 39% of attendees came from companies with more than 100 employees, and 61% from smaller shops.

What attracts this wide range of print practitioners is the broad palette of technologies that will be on display, as well the extensive education programs that surround Graph Expo. This issue's preview, part two in our series, focuses on printing systems, including digital machines, and sheetfed and variable-repeat web presses. This report covers exhibition plans available from firms ready to divulge them 10 weeks before the show opens. But we still expect some surprises as well. Companies are mentioned here, or detailed in the New Products section (see p.42). Also previewed are training opportunities in the Wide Format Pavilion Theater.

At least two exhibitors will feature a unique approach to commercial web configuration: Drent Goebel (Booth No. 2053) and Muller Martini (Booth No. 1229).

Drent Goebel says it will give an interactive show of its array of solutions for the commercial and packaging printing market. One interesting line worth examining is the VSOP, or Variable Sleeve Offset Press. At the end of June, the company held an open house at its North American base in Montreal, where more than 400 packaging printers from about 100 companies from the U.S. and Canada had an opportunity to see a seven-unit version of the VSOP equipped with a Martin Automatic infeed and electron-beam curing unit. The presentation included various partners demonstrating their latest developments in inks, platemaking, finishing and web cleaning.

The press shown runs at 1,200 fpm and is available in three web widths: 20½´´, 33½´´ and 49½´´ with variable repeat lengths between 15´´ and 30´´. The patented cylinder configuration and sleeve design allows users to change repeat sizes by swapping out lightweight Rotek plate and impression cylinders—and without completely changing the rest of the unit. It incorporated a Teknek web cleaner and a Tresu dowwnstream flexo coater. The wet-trapped inks and coatings were cured instantaneously using an EZCure-1 electron-beam unit supplied by Energy Sciences Inc. The Eltromat Offcon III system gave fully automatic and integrated camera-based control over print and diecut register and video web inspection. It also automatically presets the ink fountain keys, either singularly or in groups, based on CIP3 data conversion files.

Developed from an earlier shaftless approach, the VSOP uses centrally controlled servo drives for all the printing, coating and ancillary functions.

Muller Martini says it will show industry-first advancements on the Alprinta, which includes a continuously variable-format offset insert that allows the operator to keep the printing insert in the press at all times and perform a size change by simply removing the composite blanket and plate cylinders without any tools needed. A unique varnish cassette mounts on the back side of any printing unit. The servo-driven Alprinta also features a robust ink train that ensures outstanding coverage.

Among sheetfed offset and digital press manufacturers who have responded to Graphic Arts Monthly's call for pre-show information are the following (in alphabetical order):

Akiyama (Booth No. 2637) will show its 29´´ JPrint 4-over-4 press, a unique perfector design using a linear transfer arrangement for two-sided printing with sheet transfer managed with a gripper margin on just one edge of the sheet.

Heidelberg (Booth No. 1200) says it will showcase a range of sheetfed solutions designed for small businesses, mid- to large- sized commercial printers and packaging printers. Its newest addition is the Speedmaster SM 52 with new Anicolor short-train inking unit for very short runs. Shown at Ipex and profiled in a Product Spotlight in the June issue of GAM, Anicolor technology is available for, and will be demonstrated on, the 4-unit SM 52. It features keyless inking, large ink rolls and a flexo-style doctor blade to meter ink delivered to the plate.

Heidelberg will also present two Printmaster models, the QM 46-2 and PM 52-2-P; and three other Speedmasters: the CD 74-6+L; the CD 102-6+L; and the XL 105-8+L. [Editors note: Heidelberg says that instead of demonstrating the Dimatrix, as reported last issue, it will present the Kama diecutter/stamping/embossing machine.]

KBA North America (Booth No. 2029) is introducing a new feature to its closed-loop Densitronic S scanning Spectrodensitometer system that measures both the density and spectral values on the x and y axis, i.e., reading it anywhere on the sheet. This new feature, called Dynamic Control, calculates ink surges based on a reference sheet and opens the ink keys to a specific target according to what is needed to achieve the reference densities. The optional software is available immediately on new system installations and can be retrofitted on all KBA presses from 1995 to the present. KBA says the feature can cut makeready sheets from 700 to as little as 120 sheets even in zones with 5% area coverage.

Komori America (Booth No. 629) will demonstrate three sheetfed presses—the award-winning LS40, the new LS29 and the Spica 429 convertible perfector.

MAN Roland (Booth No. 3237) was still formulating plans for its presentation, but is likely to include multimedia demonstrations of its range of presses, and off-premise tours of its equipment in Westmont, IL.

Mitsubishi (Booth No. 2612) will feature the Diamond 3000LX 40´´ configured with six printing units, inline coater and extended delivery. In addition, it will be connected to a new color control system (MCCS-V),which scans the entire print image. Also in the company's booth will be Portable DRA, a brand-new version of Mitsubishi's exclusive Digital Register Analysis technology. Portable DRA measures and analyzes the press performance of any size or model of press right at the printer's facility.

Mitsubishi will present a digital network linking the Diamond 3000LX to a ColorLink CIP4-compliant server connected to prepress and management information system, transmitting makeready data from electronic prepress for ink presets. Remote workstations will allow visitors to observe how the MIS captures production data and job status information. The Diamond 3000LX can be optionally equipped with Mitsubishi's new package of features for efficient production on plastics and synthetic substrates for restaurant menus, recipe books, maps and credit/gift cards. Skeleton transfer cylinders, vacuum and air pressure elements, and an optimal sheet-guiding system are all standard. Air bars above the impression cylinders help prevent heavier weight stock from marking. Individual air chambers located at each printing unit enable the press to run lighter weight stock. A gripper height adjustment device and changeable gripper pads minimize problems handling thick substrates.

Sakurai USA (Booth No. 2417) says it will feature the 575SD 235⁄8×31´´ (six-up format) 5-color press with the latest enhancements. The company is now also offering the Maestro MS 10A cylinder screen press.

xpedx Printing Technologies/Ryobi (Booth No. 3812) will demonstrate several offset presses including the 23x29´´, 755 5-color full UV press. xpedx will soon announce that it is distributing SpeedyDry, a liquid ink additive that cuts dry times, improves adhesion and reduces the need for specialty oxidizing inks. A new national distribution agreement reached with Burlington, N.C.-based Genesis, LLC allows xpedx to offer the additive, which has been demonstrated to speed dry times on average 75% and, in some cases, more than 90%. It is used with most traditional inks on sheetfed and cold-set web presses—and works with nearly all uncoated and coated papers, specialty papers and synthetic substrates. The product received the PIA/GATF Intertech Award in 2005 after being extensively tested both by PIA/GATF and by Clemson University's Dept. of Graphic Communications technicians. More than 600 North American printers now regularly use it, including Quebecor World and Cincinnati-based Stevenson, Inc. R&D officials at International Paper as well as at Arjobex, makers of Polyart synthetic paper, have also tested the product and report success with it.

IBM (Booth No. 2600) will be exhibiting independently for the first time at Graph Expo. Its high-speed monochrome print engines feature enhanced capability for halftone reproduction and web paper handling.

The HP (Booth No. 248, 646) graphic arts portfolio has a broad array of digital printing systems, including wide-format, industrial inkjet and high-speed digital color presses, as well as a selection of quality media.

Kodak (Booth No. 400) will display the NexPress digital production color presses and Digimaster monochrome digital presses, Versamark continuous inkjet printing systems, with emphasis on output linked to Kodak unified workflow solutions.

RISO will show its line of printer-duplicators, operating much like photocopiers, but consuming far less energy by using liquid inks like mimeograph machines. They print in spot color at up to 180 ppm on a variety of paper stocks and sizes, from 14-lb. carbonless to 110-lb. index in sizes up 11×17´´. Its MZ790 prints a single color or adds a second color, all in one pass. RISO's HC5500 ComColor printer delivers fast and affordable color printing for everyday communications. The HC5500 prints at up to 120 8 ½×11´´ pages per minute and at sizes up to 11×17´´ on paper, card stock and envelopes—making it the fastest sheetfed inkjet printer on the market today—with low running costs of 3¢ per page in full color. It uses a unique Spectra inkjet to transfer belt print system.

Xeikon's flagship product—the 5000 full-color digital print engine—will be shown with a flexible and highly capable digital front-end, the X-800, and a new Xeikon IPDS controller. Xeikon says these two components allow native IPDS data stream to support transactional documents and native PostScript or PDF support for any other applications. The native IPDS controller is capable of handling typical data center as well as mainstream graphic arts workflows. Xeikon has also introduced Print Protector, which guards against scuffing damage in mailing and finishing processes by applying a water/wax/silicone oil emulsion on both sides of a print.

Xerox (Booth No. 1217) will focus on its combination of business model, workflow and wide range of digital print technologies—including the Nuvera monochrome line, the iGen3 color printer, and its DocuColor systems—as part of its “The New Business of Printing” exhibit.

www.gasc.org and graphexpo.com