The Lithrone GX44RP, which is commercially available with immediate effect, uses the same technology as the manufacturer’s existing B1 GX840RP press but has a maximum sheet size of 840x1,150mm.
The 15,000sph machine, which can be equipped with either an H-UV or UV drying system, is said to deliver high quality, short turnarounds, high speed, stability and reduced waste in double-sided printing.
Komori UK director of sheetfed sales Steve Turner said: “Potential markets for this press include publications such as magazines and books, as well as web-to-print. This is because as well as having the larger format it is also an extremely automated and very fast makeready press so is equally suitable for very short-run production.
“It’s also potentially interesting for the packaging market. We’re seeing a trend in the packaging sector towards duplex printing and for that application this press is absolutely ideal because it’s capable of printing onto cartonboard and guarantees perfect registration front to back.”
Front-to-back plate imaging is in the same direction, just as with single-sided presses, which Komori said increases efficiency in pre-press.
A new system on the press eliminates sheet reversal and features single-edge gripping. Eliminating sheet reversal is said to ensure stable sheet transport that is capable of handling either light or heavy stocks through the use of four double-size transfer cylinders.
“Because you’re not turning the sheet over halfway through the press you only need the gripper margin at that single edge so you potentially have a saving in substrate,” said Turner.
“In the packaging sector reducing the amount of board required for the job can be a significant benefit.”
Komori said the press can also be optionally specified with the A-APC Asynchronous Automatic Plate Changer, the PDC-SX Spectral Print Density Control SX Model and the PQA-S Print Quality Assessment System for Sheetfed to further boost quality and productivity.
Pricing for the Lithrone GX44RP has not yet been disclosed.
