Komori  appointments  JDF  printing - digital 
Komori will have its largest ever drupa stand this year, with 2,000 sq metres of space to demonstrate eight presses plus the company’s DoNet digital print network, which is featuring full JDF integration with the Komori presses at the show. The stand will have five distinct demonstration zones: JDF Production Management, Magazine and Commercial, Perfecting Theatre, General Printing and Carton Printing. Print management across these zones will be handled by the DoNet.

Komori will show CIP4/JDF in action on demonstration jobs and production work throughout the exhibition, including the world’s first application of JDF data for web fold formats. The Komori DoNet Digital Network utilises software for the total management of print related information, from initial enquiry to the final printed output, and enables access to real time production status, with on-going bi-directional data to the MIS system.

All the Komori presses at drupa 2004 are JDF compliant and the company’s JDF demonstrations will incorporate a selection of interfaces to MIS systems. Within the DoNet zone, which includes eight-up CTP facilities, there will be standalone demonstrations through Komori’s PQC-S press console, Komori K-Station - the central hub for all job data network information, KHS, which provides automatic de-inking and pre-inking, and PDC-S, the Komori spectrodensitometer, and K-ColorProfiler, which enables unification of press and proofer colour gamuts.

Komori System 38S - 16-page web offset press

Komori has led the market in terms of 16-page web offset presses and its System 38S has established itself over the last five years as Europe’s most popular 16-page general commercial web press. The press provides the world’s fastest changeover time through fully automated one-step register adjustment, colour matching, fold adjustments and plate changing. With the introduction of the latest System 38S webs, which make their debut in 16-page format at drupa 2004, Komori has extended the range to offer System 38S in 32-page formats, with a European cut- off of 1250 mm.

Tony Carter, Komori’s European web sales manager, says: "It is a natural progression for many web houses to incorporate 32-page products. Recently we have installed several duplex and tandem 16-page webs to provide the option of 32-page output. Now, for those printers whose work profile demands high volumes of 32-page production we have introduced the System 38S/1250, which provides the same characteristics of low waste and fast job changeover as the 16-page press. Our latest range of Komori 32-page web presses has already been installed in Japan with the Japanese cut-off of 1,092 mm."

The latest System 38S, to be shown for the first time at drupa 2004, is capable of printing 60,000 iph and incorporates a new folder - the DC38 with double chopper, designed for both 16-page and 32-page web offset presses.

As part of Komori’s JDF demonstrations, the folder on the System 38S will be set via JDF data transfer. New features on the press include KHS-AI, Komori’s advanced intelligence facility, which has self-learning software that further reduces job changeover time, costs and workload. The KHS-AI software automatically compensates for changes to printing parameters, such as alterations to stock, ink or ambient temperature.

Komori has also introduced a deck change facility that enables a full deck of four plates to be changed at the press of a single touch on the control console. This feature decelerates the press, changes the plates, reaches pass position and increases again to full production speed, enabling complete job to job changeover in just four minutes.

The higher printing speed of the latest System 38S, and the availability of a 32-page version, expands the type of work that can effectively be produced on Komori presses at the higher end of the spectrum. At the same time, the shorter makeready times and reduced material wastage enable the System 38S to compete favourably with the larger runs normally associated with sheet-fed.

Lithorn LS40SP 10-colour perfector

The new Komori five-over-five LS40SP perfector, which boasts a unique double deck design, will be shown for the first time at drupa. This dedicated perfecting press offers high productivity and fast turnaround, eliminating front/back quality variations that are inherent in conventional convertible perfecting presses.

The new B1 LS40SP incorporates all the features of the recently launched Lithrone ‘LS’ series that have made this model so popular, including increased rolling power, beneficial now that the Super Perfector is being recognised as suitable for general commercial work as well as magazine printing.

There is also a higher speed of 15,000 sph (30,000 iph) and increased control of the delivery to handle a wider variety of work at the higher speeds. Other features offered by the dedicated LS40SP perfector include significant space savings, with the footprint of a ten-colour S40SP requiring only slightly more space than a conventional five-colour press.

Through one pass printing and reduced material handling, the LS40SP offers tremendous output levels of approaching three times the productivity that can be obtained when printing both sides of the sheet on a straight press. Features on the new machine include the ability to handle a greater range of stock and plate laydown with an identical plate imposition for all units.

Lithrone eight-colour LS840P four-over-four perfector

The new 40 inch Lithrone LS840P will be shown for the first time in Europe at drupa 2004. The LS840P is engineered for printers who require the flexibility to print four-colour two-sided B1 work, plus the ability to print six, seven or eight-colours one side.

The eight-colour Lithrone LS840P incorporates all the award-winning design and technology features of the Lithrone LS40 Series, and includes Komori’s unique three-cylinder perfecting mechanism. This transfers the sheet entirely stress-free and ensures the highest quality of reproduction on both sides of the sheet over the entire stock range. Like all the presses on the Komori stand, the LS840P will be networked with JDF capability.

The transfer mechanism incorporates air-controls plus ceramic jackets on the second four impression cylinders, which assist in mark-free passage of the reversed sheets through to the delivery. The benefits of this include the ability to print on a wide range of stock and Komori will be demonstrating on its stand the Lithrone LS840P’s ability to print heavy grade stock at 15,000 sph.

Lithrone 10-colour 1028P five-over-five perfector

The Lithrone L1028P, which will be demonstrated at drupa, will be the first Komori B2 10-colour press ever shown at a world exhibition and reflects the trend towards longer multi-unit sheet-fed presses in all format sizes.

The presses in this series incorporate Komori’s unique three-cylinder sheet reversing mechanism for consistent and precise sheet reversing on all stock types and thicknesses at maximum running speeds. The L1028P will be equipped with Komori’s latest PQC control technology, including the KMS management system, the KHS de-inking and pre-inking facility to enable full job changeover, including changing ten plates in under twelve minutes.

SPICA 429P perfector

The compact SPICA is a completely new sheetfed press from Komori, and is aimed at printers entering the high-quality four-colour market for the first time, or those moving up from B3 format work to B2. The competitively priced SPICA is a four-colour two-over-two convertible perfector. The press is equipped with CIP4 compliant functionality, while combining a space saving footprint with excellent cost performance results.

The press can be specified to match a wide range of plate sizes allowing the reuse of existing plates, which may be metal or polyester, and the machine on the stand will be using 605 x 745 mm plates. The SPICA is ideally placed to handle short-run, fast turnaround colour work, making it ideal for the booklet market, and the 29 inch model is capable of printing four B4 signatures, maximising full-size B2 sheets.

The new SPICA combines flexibility and automation to allow operators to produce top quality four-colour print, even with lower skill levels. Features include Komorimatic dampening, remote control of plate register and transfer cylinder cocking plus automatic blanket and ink roller wash. The control panel is located at the delivery and provides touch panel remote operation, combined with straightforward maintenance and an environment and safety conscious design.

Printing speeds on the SPICA are up to 13,000 sph, while stock thickness can be as high as 0.45 mm when straight printing and 0.3 mm when perfecting. Minimum and maximum sheet sizes are 280 x 305 mm and 530 x 750 mm, while the feeder and delivery pile heights are 800 mm and 620 mm.

Lithorne L20 and L28

Also on Komori’s drupa stand will be a four-colour B3 Lithrone L420 and a four-colour B2 Lithrone L428. Both models incorporate the double-sized cylinder configuration of the larger Lithrone presses, a well established trade mark of these machines. The Lithrone L20 and Lithrone L28 have full digital workflow capabilities and provide short overall printing production times through the use of CIP4/JDF data and quick colour matching by utilising the pre-inking and de-inking facility.

New Lithrone NL-428 four-colour

More than 6,000 Lithrone 26/28 Series presses, comprising 30,000 printing units, have been installed since 1983. Constantly evolved according to user needs, the redesigned New Lithrone L28 now offers higher performance and addresses today’s requirements for high quality print within this format range.

Features include a new ink fountain design and an ultrasonic sheet detection device, while the plate cylinders have a specially developed coating on the surface that results in smoother transfer and reduced sheet marking. Models are available in a variety of configurations and levels of automation, with or without an in-line coater. The 26 inch version continues to be popular with the many printers around the world that concentrate on A4 page work.

Lithrone LS640
Komori has several products for the carton market and at drupa the company will have a carton printing zone on its stand. This will include a six-colour B1 Lithrone LS40 equipped with an automatic non-stop feeder and a double delivery system with in-line coater, which enables maximum productivity when printing cartonboard. The press is available in several unit configurations, with or without a coater.

Komori will also be presenting information on many of the configurations now available from the modular design of the Lithrone LS40 Series, including pre-unit coaters, triple coating facilities and mid press coaters.

The press will be demonstrated showing the highest level of automatic changeover, plus KHS colour matching. There is a one-touch facility that automatically presets the feeder, delivery, plate change and changeover for sheet thickness. The press will be shown using a new process developed by MetalFX that allows the creation of many different metallic colours through the use of silver metallic ink.

Komori Chambon

Packaging is an area of the industry that shows strong growth and Komori Chambon in France manufactures a range of highly successful offset and gravure presses for this sector. These Chambon presses are well suited to short runs combining a variety of work, and keep wastage to a minimum. Visitors to the Chambon zone on the stand will be able to see demonstrations of a new variable sized rotary die cutter, which can be installed on web offset or rotogravure presses.

The machine uses die cutting plates mounted on fixed size cylinders similar to those used on offset plates, which removes the need for costly diecutting cylinders. There are two forms of the system - diecutting plates mounted on a magnetic shell offering quick makeready for short runs, and diecutting shells mounted directly on the cylinder. Diecutting formats vary from 350 - 800 mm, and diecutting speed is around
150 mpm.

Securities division

Visitors to drupa will also be able to learn about Komori’s currency and securities printing facilities. The fact that Komori is Japan’s only manufacturer of currency printing presses is a clear indication of the quality and consistency of the presses. Komori won’t actually be printing money on the drupa stand, but will be happy to talk to printers about how they can make money using its technology.