Having manufactured its first press back in the late 1940s, Shinohara was already a well-known and established name by the time its flagship B3 press was launched in 1982.

Originally named the Fuji 52 (although there was no connection with pre-press manufacturer Fujifilm) the machine started life as a single-colour offset press before production began on a two-colour perfector version, the 52IIP, a year later. It was renamed the Shinohara 52 in the late 1980s, with the option of an aqueous coater added.

Developments didn't stop there as Shinohara strived to keep the press up-to-date so that it could compete with its German rivals. This included a high-pile series launched in 2002, while the biggest revamp came in 2007 when, according to Chris Hammond, technical sales manager at UK distributor Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE), the machine was given a total redesign. "The speed went up from 13,000 to 15,000 sheets per hour. Printers could also have an aqueous and UV mini coater," he says.

Alongside a complete overhaul of the feeder system, the changes also included a redesign of the machine's internal mechanics to improve paper transit through the press. The control system also switched to an icon-based interactive touch screen.

However, the revamped press didn't make its UK debut until January 2008 when the Shinohara 52VP five-colour convertible-to-perfecting B3 machine was demonstrated at a GAE open house. Thanks to the redesign, the new press offered makereadies of less than 10 minutes.

The cocking system on the machine is the only one in the world that allows the plate clamp to be skewed during operation. It involves the motorisation of the plate clamps on the cylinders allowing plates to be moved on the cylinder from the remote console while the press is printing. This allows a greater degree of adjustment, so the cylinders always run true in their bearings and the press maintains its accuracy for longer.

Press options
Printers can opt for a two-, four-, five- or six-colour press. The four-, five- and six-colour models have the option of a medium or high pile. Automation is key to the press's appeal, according to Hammond. Designed to cater for the needs of short-run work, it needed to be highly automated.

"It features semi-automatic plate change, automatic roller wash and blanket wash, CIP4 and JDF compatibility plus the option of perfecting," he says. Models within the range are denominated by Roman numerals: so a 52IVP is a four-colour perfecting press while a 52VHP is a five-colour high pile series perfecting press.

According to Hammond the machine was very successful with Shinohara having a patent on its perfecting technology. GAE has sold over 700 units since it started selling the machine back in the early 1980s.

GAE has eight dedicated press engineers and an off-the-shelf service contract, although it can be customised to suit clients' needs. A new five-colour perfecting press will cost around £295,000 while a 2002 model costs from £100,000 depending on age and mileage.

Hammond advises buyers to check all the usual things on a secondhand press; cylinder damage, wear and tear, etc. At the time of writing PrintWeek's sister used machinery website Pressxchange had five Shinohara 52s advertised with models ranging from 1992 to 2002.

SPECIFICATIONS
Speed 15,000sph
Max sheet size 370x520mm
Min sheet size 100x148mm
Feeder pile height 900mm
Delivery pile height 420mm
High pile option 740mm
Weight 8.6tonnes (52VP)
Footprint 5.2x2m (52V/VP)
Price
New 52VP: £295,000
Used 2002 52VP:from £100,000
What to look for
Cylinder damage
Impression count