The Roland 700 HiPrint sheetfed-offset press can be configured with any of co.'s in-line advancements to integrate special effects into the printing process, providing value without adding press time. Available with two to 12 colors and a single or double coater, the system includes automatic ink/roller blanket washers, remote-control inking, power plate loading and speeds up to 17,000 sph. In-line options such as the new Inline Foiler PRINDOR, which won the 2006 InterTech Award; the Inline Inspector to detect the smallest flaw on a printed sheet; and the Inline Sheeter to print directly from web rolls; are available. 
MAN ROLAND, INC., 630/920-2000, www.manroland.com

The Lithrone LSX29 is the largest half-size, sheetfed-offset press co. offers, accepting 24 x 29-½-in. sheets. It fits a growing US-market demand for a press that maximizes the sheet and provides rapid job-cycle times. A wide range of advanced technologies including hi-speed start and fully automatic console-driven makeready are said to be ideal for short-run, fast-turnaround work. Speeds of 12,000 sph are possible, and fully automatic plate-changing technology changes each plate in less than 40 sec. 
KOMORI AMERICA CORP., 847/806-9000, www.komori-america.us

Tags & Labels Printing, Inc. (Hallandale, FL), a full-service printing company for hangtags, woven and pressure-sensitive labels with $2 million in annual sales, attended Print 05/Converting 05 in Chicago with one goal in mind: To find a DI system.

After witnessing the Presstek 52DI at work, Tags & Labels' Peter Applebaum found what he was looking for. “It was the only one fitted for the 52-in. market,” he says. “It was also chemical-free.”

Tags & Labels installed the machine shortly after the show. The 52DI delivers four-color process printing in speeds up to 10,000 sph, with a maximum sheet size of 20.47 x 14.76 in. Its auto print feature lets the operator load paper, transfer jobs or update tickets while the DI automatically mounts and images plates and sets the ink keys.

Its plate-imaging capabilities are one of the big reasons Tags & Labels decided to buy the system. Instead of producing plates off-press, prepared digital files are sent via a high-speed network directly to the press, where the plates are automatically advanced and mounted on the press cylinders and imaged simultaneously.

“Not needing chemistry to develop the plates had big benefits for us,” Applebaum adds. “We didn't need to deal with hazardous materials or the additional expense of hauling it away. We didn't need to reburn plates, and it increased our capacity by three- to four-fold. It's wonderful, and we are thrilled to death with it.”
TAGS & LABELS PRINTING, INC., www.tagsandlabels.net 
PRESSTEK, INC., www.presstek.com

The Rapida 105 represents one basic concept for both paper and packaging printing, allowing flexibility and economical production for closely contested markets, co. says. The 18,000-sph, 40-in. press features an ergonomic console with flatscreen monitor, clearly structured menus, and direct access to all press functions and auxiliary systems. Print quality is further assured via co.'s Densitronic color-measurement and control system.
KBA NORTH AMERICA, 800/522-7522, www.kba-usa.com

Capable of production speeds of up to 18,000 sph, the Speedmaster XL 105-6+LX press (fitted with a coating unit and extended delivery) can be applied in packaging settings to accommodate a wide range of substrates. Further make-ready time reductions are possible via the Prinect Inpress Control, which provides reportedly the first in-line device for spectrophotometry to measure color and control registration on-the-fly, even when the press is running at peak speeds. Also available for the XL 105 is the FoilStar cold-foil application technology to produce metallic effects in-line. 
HEIDELBERG USA, 888/472-9655, www.us.heidelberg.com

The Diamond 3000LS incorporates a variety of automation technologies to reduce makeready times. Among these is the SimulChanger for simultaneous plate-cylinder repositioning to replace old plates with new ones on every print unit in one operation. It reportedly can reduce makereadies on an 8-color job by 10 mins. The 40-in. press in an 8-color configuration is said to deliver smooth color gradations and is popular with label printers, where enhanced graphics are needed to promote brand identity.
MITSUBISHI LITHOGRAPHIC PRESSES, 847/634-9100, www.mlpusa.com