September 16-21, 2011
Press Demonstrations
At IGAS 2011, Komori exhibited five sheetfed offset presses, including four new products. During the show, demonstrations on the five exhibit machines according to their objective/application were presented on the basis of three solutions – ‘Innovative OffsetOnDemand Solutions,’ ‘Innovative H-UV Pack-Print Solutions,’ and ‘Efficient and Multi-Flex Print Solutions.’
These demonstrations introduced the outstanding performance and effectiveness of these machines, including the latest technologies that meet a variety of demands in the printing industry. The demonstrations on each machine were run four times a day (three times on the final day), meaning a total of 115 live demonstrations were run over the six days of the exhibition. In addition, simultaneous interpretation (in English and Chinese) using earphone guides was offered for overseas visitors for the ‘Innovative OffsetOnDemand Solutions’ and ‘Innovative H-UV Pack-Print Solutions’ demonstrations.
Innovative OffsetOnDemand Solutions
In the main theater of the Komori stand, two types of OffsetOnDemand demonstration on the new Lithrone G40P (H-UV-equipped eight-color 40-inch perfecting press/GL-840P + H-UV) and the well-known Lithrone S26 (H-UV-equipped four-color 26-inch offset press/LS-426 + H-UV) were carried out using a huge screen.
The demonstrations started with the three narrators – Takamatsu-san, Nose-san and Otsuka-san – taking the stage.
= Demonstration of Lithrone G40P (GL-840P + H-UV) =
First, visitors saw the realization of OffsetOnDemand on the Lithrone G Series presses, which are loaded with the latest technologies, with the explanation provided by Takamatsu-san and Otsuka-san.
* There were two ozone-free 160W lamps equipped on this press, one in the delivery and one in the sheet reversal mechanism. Production printing was run at the maximum printing speed of 15,000 sheets per hour.
< Demonstration highlights >
－ Reduction of paper waste by means of the KHS-AI integrated control system
－ Ability to meet tight turnaround deadlines by means of the outstanding instant drying afforded by the H-UV system.
－ High print quality on both the front and back sides of the sheets due to the H-UV system
－ Ultimate short makeready performance offered by the A-APC system (Asynchronous Automatic Plate-changing system, a fully automatic plate-changer that changes all plates simultaneously)
－ Reduction of the number of changeover times/number of plates/turnover times and paper waste by means of ganging.
< Content of demonstration >
Three jobs were performed in the demonstration.
Three jobs were performed in the demonstration.
In the first job, four-color two-sided printing was performed of images of an art-type character-focused pamphlet using rough gloss printing paper with color matching and register adjustment completed in advance. Then 200 sheets were printed in production printing. After this, the sheets were cut by a paper guillotine from Nagai Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd. (NCW-116HHD9) that was exhibited in the stand and then finished as a 16-page brochure using a saddle-stitching machine from Horizon International (StitchLiner 5500). Following this, job changeover (automatic blanket washing -> pre-inking -> plate-changing by the A-APC system -> paper switching) was performed and the demonstration proceeded to the second job. In the second job, coated paper was used and, in a tie-up involving MIS from Tosbac Systems, prepress by Screen, postpress from Horizon and Komori, four-color two-sided printing was performed by imposition of different images and sizes (ganging). After front/back register and color adjustment at the 20th sheet of test printing, 200 sheets were printed in production printing. Following this, job changeover (automatic blanket washing -> pre-inking -> plate-changing by the A-APC system -> paper changing) was performed and the demonstration proceeded to the third job. In the third job, images typical of an automobile magazine and a character-focused pamphlet were printed in four colors on coated paper by perfecting printing. After front/back register and color adjustment on the 20th sheet of test printing, 200 sheets were printed in production printing. Then, just as in the first job, postpress processes were performed and the printed work was finished as a 16-page brochure.
< Images of printing >
During the demonstration, new devices such as the A-APC system, the fully automatic plate-changer that changes all plates simultaneously, PDC-SX and PQA-S were explained using computer graphics and video. From the first to the third job, each changeover time from the end of printing to the completion of test printing and the start-up densities measured by PQA-S could be checked by the audience because the screen of the KID monitor was projected onto the huge screen installed in the theater. The state of postpress following the completion of production printing for the first job was also shown on the screen. In addition, the 16-page brochure that was completed in the booth was distributed to visitors after the demonstration.
= Demonstration of Lithrone S26 (LS-426 + H-UV) =
Following this demonstration, visitors saw a demonstration of OffsetOnDemand that meets the demand for ultra-short turnarounds with very short runs and color management using a print-on-demand system and an inkjet printer with explanation provided by Nose-san and Otsuka-san.
※One 120W ozone-free lamp was installed in the press and production printing was run at the maximum printing speed of 16,000 sheets per hour.
< Demonstration highlights >
－ CMS in OffsetOnDemand (K-ColorSimulator exhibited for reference)
－ Checking color matching immediately after printing made possible by no-drydown H-UV printing
－ High print quality due to the outstanding powderless instant drying of the H-UV system
－ Low initial cost, energy-saving and eco-friendly features of the H-UV system
－ 20Matching that makes possible production printing from the 20th sheet of start-up printing due to the fusion of H-UV and KHS-AI
< Content of demonstration >
Two jobs were performed in this demonstration.
In the first job, four-color printing of an image of the Tokyo Sky Tree on rough gloss printing paper with color matching and register adjustment completed in advance. Then 200 sheets were printed in production printing. Following this, job changeover (automatic blanket washing -> plate-changing by the Full-APC fully automatic plate-changing system -> pre-inking -> paper changing) was performed and the demonstration proceeded to the second job. Four-color printing using coated paper with images of an automobile magazine was performed in the second job. After this, the 20th sheet of test printing was compared with a toner printing sample that was output by a Konica-Minolta print-on-demand system (bizhub C8000) and a proof sheet output by an Epson inkjet proofer (PX-H9000). Both the print-on-demand system and the inket proofer were exhibited in the DoNet/CMS Zone of the stand. After confirmation of color matching, production printing of 200 sheets was performed.
< Images of printing >
During the demonstration, K-ColorSimulator, a Komori Color Management System (CMS)-related product that optimizes color matching with the offset press-standardized inkjet proofer and print-on-demand system, and K-PressNavi, a system that stabilizes the press and standardizes work, were explained by mixing in video feeds from the DoNet/CMS Zone.
Innovative H-UV Pack-Print Solutions
Package printing was demonstrated with the new Lithrone G40 (H-UV-equipped 40-inch offset press with coater/GL-640 + C + H-UV), which is the optimum machine for thick paper and special substrates.
= Demonstration of Lithrone G40 (GL-640 + C + H-UV) =
Visitors saw in the demonstration H-UV package printing, which is suitable for a wide range of substrates, and also the quality and effectiveness of high added value printing with the H-UV printing, with the explanation provided by Yoshimi-san, the narrator.
* There were three ozone-free 160W lamps equipped on this press, one in the drying unit, one in the extended delivery and one in the coater.
< Demonstration highlights >
－ Instant drying of printing on thick paper by means of the H-UV system.
－ High printing quality on a wide variety of special substrates by means of the H-UV system.
－ Suitability to high added value printing such as pseudo-embossing by means of the H-UV system
－ Low initial cost, energy-saving and eco-friendly features of the H-UV system
< Demonstration content >
Two jobs were performed in this demonstration.
In the first job, package printing was performed with an image of small boxes using coated cardboard (0.4 mm in thickness) as the printing paper. After four-color printing was performed with color matching and register adjustment completed in advance, clear varnish was applied in the coater and then dried by the ozone-free lamp in the drying unit. Two-hundred sheets were printing in production printing. Following this, job changeover (automatic blanket washing -> plate-changing by the Full-APC fully automatic plate-changing system -> pre-inking -> paper switching) was performed and the demonstration proceeded to the second job. In the second job, high added value printing was performed with an image of accessories and small objects using metalized paper as the printing paper. After the application of white in the first printing unit, it was dried by the ozone-free lamp installed in the interdeck drying unit. Then, following four-color printing, overprint varnish was applied by the sixth printing unit, and finally clear coating was applied, finished into pseudo-embossing, and the sheet was dried by the ozone-free lamp in the delivery. After color matching and register adjustment, 200 sheets were printed in production printing.
< Images of printing >
During the demonstration, the superiority of the H-UV system, the double-camera model of the PQA-S system for high-precision in-line inspection that was developed for packaging printing, and the multifunctional PDC-SX Spectral Print Density Control device were explained. In addition, visitors could check a variety of data during printing start-up since the screen of the KID monitor was projected onto the huge screen installed in the theater. Moreover, printing samples that used special inks and special substrates such as polypropylene film were also introduced.
Efficient and Multi-flex Print Solutions
The presentation of presses that pursue high print quality and high performance while being user-friendly was explained through a demonstration with two machines, the new Lithrone G40 equipped with Semi-APC (H-UV-equipped four-color 40-inch offset press/GL-440 + H-UV) and the new addition to the Enthrone Series lineup, the Enthrone 26P (four-color 26-inch perfecting press/E-426P).
= Demonstration of Lithrone G40 (GL-440 + H-UV) =
With the explanation of Sakurai-san, the narrator, visitors saw the demonstration of the machine equipped with Semi-APC (semiautomatic plate-changing) and the H-UV system that enables the press, which has ample basic functions and more than adequate performance, to be provided to customers at very reasonable conditions.
* There was one ozone-free 160W lamp equipped on this press. Production printing was run at the maximum printing speed of 16,500 sheets per hour.
< Demonstration highlights >
－ Lithrone G40 concept
－ Lithrone G40 specifications
－ Instant drying, energy-saving and eco-friendly features of the H-UV system
－ Effectiveness in reducing plate costs by means of work-and-tumble printing
< Demonstration content >
Two jobs were performed during the demonstration.
In the first job, four-color printing of an image of an automobile magazine on rough gloss printing paper was started with color matching and register adjustment completed in advance, and then 200 sheets were printed in production printing. Following this, work-and-tumble printing (printing on the back side of the sheets) was performed without plate changing, and following checking of front/back register, 200 sheets were printed in production printing. Then job changeover (automatic blanket washing -> plate-changing by the Semi-APC semiautomatic plate-changing system -> pre-inking -> paper changing) was performed and the demonstration proceeded to the second job. Four-color printing using coated cardboard (0.4 mm in thickness) with images of a character was performed in the second job. After register and color adjustment during test printing, production printing of 200 sheets was performed.
< Images of printing >
During the demonstration, the Lithrone G40 concept and the main specifications of the machine as well as the features and mechanism of the H-UV system were explained using computer graphics and video projected on the plasma display installed at the venue.
= Demonstration of Enthrone 26P (E-426P) =
Visitors saw the power of a multi-flex solution that is suited to the needs of the times. Harumoto-san, the narrator, explained that based on a cylinder array of double-size impression and transfer cylinders, the Enthrone 26P offers stable print quality and facilitates production with short runs and a wide variety of printed items.
* Production printing was run at the maximum printing speed of 13,000 sheets per hour in straight printing mode and 11,000 sheets per hour in perfecting printing mode.
< Demonstration highlights >
－ Inheritance of the legacy of the high print quality of the Enthrone 26
－ Compact design with outstanding cost-performance
－ Configuration of double-size impression and transfer cylinders
－ Perfector with suitability to printing on thick paper
－ User-friendly perfector well-suited to operators with little experience
The demonstration was conducted in two patterns, straight printing on four days (the 16th, 17th, 19th and 20th) and perfecting printing on two days (the 18th and 21st).
< Content of straight printing demonstration >
Two jobs were performed in the straight printing demonstration using high-fidelity ‘Kaleido’ inks from Toyo Ink.
In the first job, four-color printing of an image of an iridescent colored jewel beetle on thin coated paper (0.08 mm in thickness) was started with color matching and register adjustment completed in advance, and then 200 sheets were printed in production printing. Following this, job changeover (automatic blanket washing -> tool-less clamp plate-changing -> pre-inking -> paper changing) was performed and the demonstration proceeded to the second job. Four-color printing using coated cardboard (0.3 mm in thickness) with images of postcards was performed in the second job. After register and color adjustment during test printing, production printing of 200 sheets was performed.
< Images of printing >
< Content of perfecting printing demonstration >
Two jobs were performed in this demonstration.
In the first job, two-over-two printing of an image of a town map on thin paper (0.05 mm in thickness) was started with color matching and register adjustment completed in advance, and then 200 sheets were printed in production printing. Following this, job changeover (automatic blanket washing -> tool-less clamp plate-changing -> pre-inking -> paper changing) was performed and the demonstration proceeded to the second job. Two-over-two printing using coated cardboard (0.3 mm in thickness) with images of nametags was performed in the second job.
After register and color adjustment during test printing, production printing of 200 sheets was performed.
< Images of printing >
During the demonstration, an explanation intermixed with video on the features and construction of the Enthrone 26P machine was provided.
Actual printing samples from the demonstrations of each press were distributed to visitors in the Print Gallery of the Komori stand.
During the exhibition, the demonstrations were a great success as the stand filled with customers when the demonstration of each press started.
Komori is confident that we were able to present substantial optimum solutions to visitors.
