Press manufacturers are placing as much emphasis on their skills as consultants and equipment integrators as they are on improving press technology. With leaner times ahead, lean manufacturing and maximum productivity is a key message from capital equipment providers at Graph Expo. But the increased productivity of the newest machines is its own best business argument for upgrading for those who haven't done so lately.

Despite the commonplace from some quarters that the 40´´ market is too crowded, re-engineering of the eight-up sheetfed format remains resilient, with significant upgrades and developments from all the major manufacturers. In the eight-up field, “X” marks the spot, as “40-inch” models with an X in the model number measure 41´´ wide or more.

Not every press supplier is bringing its full-sized machines to Graph Expo. KBA, with sheetfed presses ranging up to 81´´, is exhibiting its 20´´ Genius 52 UV and is making presentations on its newly launched and upgraded half-size, full- and large-format Rapidas. Sakurai is showing its 466SDC, 20×26” 4-color with coater and a Sakurai 575SDC, 23 5/8×31´´ 5-color with coater.

Goss and manroland will pursue another take on press exhibition strategies. Goss is using virtual presentations drawn from its drupa exhibition of the roll-to-sheet M600 Folia, as well as other equipment. manroland is relying on live breakfast presentations at its Westmont, IL office, where show visitors can see the newest generation presses, including a 73´´ Roland 900 XXL placed in operation this summer. Ryobi and Heidelberg have something in common this year: introduction of 10-color perfectors (see p.14).

Two full-sized drupa-debut presses—Komori's Lithrone SX40 and Mitsubishi's Diamond V3000LX—are making their U.S. debut. The V3000LX features over 80 enhancements, says Mitsubishi, including stylish side frame covers. Increased automation is aimed at creating “a safe, stress-free and less skill-dependent pressroom environment.” Handling a wide thickness range, from 0.00160´´ to 0.040´´, the Diamond V3000LX prints on paper, plastic and board up to 29.5 ×41 11/32´´.

Key features include scuff and mark-proof transfer and delivery skeleton cylinders, air showers above impression cylinders, a gripper height adjustment device and individual air chamber at each printing unit. These innovations in air management prevent scratches and smudging when printing on thick sheets. SimulChanger fully automated plate-changing system and the Diamond Color Navigator color adjustment interface further improve performance. A new clamping and positioning system eliminates the need for pre-bending plates, saving prepress time. Impression-on speed has been raised to 10,000 sph, slashing startup waste.

The 18,000-sph Lithrone SX40 features fully automated plate changing with non-stop continuous plate removal. It can change six plates in about two minutes. Specs say just six minutes elapse from the end of production on one job to an okay sheet on the next. KHS-AI (for artificial intelligence), a new fast print startup system, leads to a 35% reduction in job changeover time, says Komori. KHS-AI has a self-learning function that progressively updates press settings based on information gathered from live runs.

The feeder board requires no wheels for most jobs. It has an independent motor—not driven by the press—so sheet arrival timing can be adjusted electronically. This allows for greater control, especially important since the press now accelerates faster to its maximum speed. The front lay area has been optimized to handle lightweight stocks, also at maximum speed.

The water flow in the damping system has been improved to stabilize damping solution temperature, optimized for alcohol-free printing. Blanket washing speed is increased through a new wet cloth system. Blankets and rollers are washed simultaneously at a higher cylinder revolution speed of 8,000 sph.