Nov. 13, 2006—Last week we reviewed some of the software and prepress technologies introduced at Graph Expo and Converting Expo Oct. 15?18 in Chicago. Here is a recap of some of the press, postpress, and media products the show had to offer.

Start the Presses
Agfa Graphics showed the violet-laser addition to its platesetter portfolio, the Avalon LF Violet, which incorporates violet technology into an external-drum platesetter. Using a variation on HD imaging head found in the Avalon thermal engines, the new head can be interchanged with the thermal version, giving shops a less costly path to switching technologies. The Avalon LF Violet is available in a manual plate-loading, semi-automatic configuration. A single- or multi-cassette option for full automation is also available.

"Agfa's complete line of Avalon thermal and violet platesetters offers users the most potential in their prepress environments," said Susan Wittner, director of marketing, North America. "For example, our thermal line of Avalon CTP systems gives users the ability to run our chemistry-free Azura plates, our low-chemistry Amigo plates, as well as traditional thermal plates such as P970. Our new violet systems will also be able to run our chemistry-free violet plates when they become available."

Heidelberg featured a Speedmaster SM 52 using the new Anicolor keyless inking system. Needing less than 40 sheets of waste, it produces very short runs cost effectively. Anicolor will be available for all four-color models of the SM 52 starting in the fall of 2007.

"Anicolor is an innovative solution for shops looking to deliver perfect offset quality at highly attractive margins for short runs," said Joerg Daehnhardt, director of product management for general commercial print, Heidelberg USA. "Whether you print four-color brochures or flyers, invitations or business cards, you will benefit from dramatically reduced makeready times and minimal waste with this innovative new technology."

MAN Roland had a variety of enhancement announcements at the show. The company's 29" line, the Roland 500, added perfecting to its list of capabilities. The InlinePerfector equips the press to take on a broader range of applications in commercial printing, packaging, and book manufacturing, while giving printers a more profitable way to complete front-and-back jobs. It features a single-drum sheet turning system combined with double-diameter cylinders to handle thicker substrates up to 24 pt.

In addition, the firm demonstrated a feature to provide 30 percent faster makereadies on its Roland 700s line.

QuickChange is available as a productivity option on the 41" line of presses. Consisting of a bundle of integrated makeready enhancements, QuickChange makes it easier and faster for printers to transition from one job to the next by addressing virtually every function of the makeready process, with seven modules that can be added in any combination desired.

Adast a.s. demonstrated its Automation Affordable feature set?CIP3/CIP4 compatibility combined with perfecting options to offer offset presses for short-run multicolor work at affordable prices. The features include: semi-automatic plate changers with Bacher registration that accept metal or polyester plates straight from CTP; CIP3/CIP4-compatible AdaControl computerized inking console; automatic blanket washers, each allowing different combinations of solvent, water, and cycle to match printing conditions; and automatic ink roller wash-up with auto-spray to disperse ink wash-fluid.

"The market for print is being squeezed by shorter press runs and fierce competition for fewer jobs. As printers' markets and margins have shrunk, most press manufacturers have chased the larger printers...leaving smaller and medium-sized shops with the choice of financing a prohibitively expensive new machine or settling for used equipment," said Radek Dudas, Adast general director. "With our Automation Affordable presses, smaller shops can buy a new machine that produces the short-run four- and five-color work the market demands and at the level of quality every printer needs to make money and grow their business."

Finish What You Start
Muller Martini featured the newest addition to its growing line of adhesive binding systems, the Pantera perfect binder. It runs at up to 4,000 cycles per hour, and in addition to conventional hotmelt binding, it can process PUR adhesive (polyurethane reactive). It handles a broad array of different size jobs, and can be configured with up to 28 feeder stations. Pantera can be equipped with a drum cover feeder and an optional crash feeder station for hard cover book production.

"Pantera has been engineered with versatility in mind...binderies, printers, in-house operations, and many other businesses with the technology can produce a diverse range of top quality perfect-bound products quickly and cost efficiently," said Werner Naegeli, president and CEO of Muller Martini.

Pitney Bowes showcased a new mailing solution, noting that it can increase productivity by up to 44 percent. The HPI-72C cutter can process 72,000 cut sheets per hour, on two-up continuous roll-fed or fan-folded applications. The new unit can be integrated with the company's APS Advanced Productivity Series and FPS Flexible Productivity Series inserting systems.

"We've removed a major speed bump that slows mail production," said Clint Dally, vice president, product line management. "Now a three- to four-page job flies through like a two-page job. Clients asked us for speed, easy set-up, high productivity, and, more importantly, consistency. The Pitney Bowes 72K cutter delivers on each of these key performance demands."

The company also highlighted new enhancements to the Flowmaster RS inserter. These include: modular operator-replaceable feeders; proven rotary feed technology; 16K cycle rate for letter applications; tampling deck for insert preparation; visual set-up marketers; and a Teflon-coated paper path.

GBC featured the Arctic 1064WFc and Arctic 1040WFc laminators for professional print providers at Graph Expo. The Arctic 1040WFc runs pressure-sensitive film up to 38", while the Arctic 1064WFc has a maximum width of 61". Both feature large diameter, easy-to-clean silicone rollers to provide a high level of pressure for clear output. Foot pedals for hands-free operation and removable feed tables for easy film loading are included on both models.

The company also introduced the Titan 1264WF and Titan 1244WF wide-format laminators. Both have been redesigned to incorporate heavy-duty swing-out shafts for easy film loading and unloading. This new feature was added in response to requests for more user-friendly equipment. The Titan 1264WF runs film up to 63", while the Titan 1244WF has a maximum width of 43". Both feature easy-to-clean heated silicone rollers to provide smooth output while preventing surface scratches on films.

Vijuk demonstrated its computerized auto fold-plate setting system. The G&K V-14/V-18 Miniature/Commercial Folders are now available with the Auto Fold-Plate setting, which save setup and production time. From a single control panel, users can pre-program the plates for standard folding jobs, using eight preset patterns or specifically pre-program them for custom jobs. Micro adjustments can be made on-the-fly, and stored for later recall.

Make Media Count
Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. have relaunched, reorganized, and expanded the Via line of media with a new look, swatchbook, packaging, and a consolidated product line consisting of papers from the Via line acquired from International Paper's Fine Papers last year, as well as papers from its former Vellum, Tomohawk, and Satin lines. New papers, called Via Digital, expand that further, with a collection of cover and text weights engineered with the i-Tone surface for digital production color environments.

"As promised, Mohawk as taken the very complex challenge of bringing together a number of...grades under one banner," said Richard LaBonge, executive vice president, sales and marketing. "The result is a manageable line that is clean, vibrant, imaginative, and printer friendly. Mohawk Via is the end result of a great deal of hard work."