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Why do faster makereadies command higher press prices?
July 17, 2008

Question: I read so many reports touting fast makeready times on sheetfed presses and higher speeds—but with run lengths going down and new equipment prices going up! What gives? 

Answer: Makeready (MR) times for sheetfed presses have been going down for years and, with recent servo-motor advances on the plate cylinder, they have really dropped. Having a 6-color press with a 4.5-hour MR is just not competitive anymore.

Making ready in 5 minutes

Today, we are hearing of five-minute makeready times. This is one way the press manufacturers are trying to address short runs. For press speed in the 40´´ format, we see speeds at 18,000 iph, This is not a rated speed—it is the actual production speed. Keep in mind it is how many jobs you can get off in a shift. Also keep in mind that there are (still) long runs.


Readers, please e-mail your questions to Ray.   

Posted by Raymond Prince on July 17, 2008 | Comments (0)