What does the press do?
It is a new generation of the long established Roland 700 series of B1-plus format presses, with new capabilities and a new look. In particular it offers a new optional sheet size of 740x1,050mm to enable more pages, repeats or nesting of some types of image on the same sheet. It uses direct drive technology with new enhancements to the press.
A wide choice of configurations is available, with up to 10 units in both straight and perfecting options.
When was it launched and what market is it aimed at?
The Evolution model was launched at the Manroland Sheetfed factory in Offenbach in November 2014.
According to Martin Hawley, managing director of Manroland Sheetfed (UK): “With the versatility of the Evolution it is not aimed at any specific market segment, as the press would be at home in both the packaging and commercial printing environments. Printers now have to be flexible to meet the demands of their clients. The Evolution has the flexibility and versatility to produce short runs, thanks to the direct drive technology, as well as long runs when required. This gives the owner options which were never open to them before in the litho sector.”
How does it differ from previous models?
The Evolution has been redesigned from the ground up and incorporates a sleek new futuristic look. Among the new developments are the newly designed central console with touchscreen control, a new feeder transport to cut down on waste, new suction belt sheet handling technology for a more even pile contour, all-new dampening units, new bearings which significantly reduce vibration. Smarter control software and colour and press presets contribute to reducing time between jobs.
Options include InLine colour control and register, InLineInspector and LEC (Low Energy Curing) UV technology.
How fast/productive is it?
The speed is 18,000 sheets per hour for medium to longer runs. Hawley says that “the flexibility of the Direct Drive technology to minimise makeready time and make short runs practical and viable.”
What’s the USP?
Unique features are said to be the TripleFlow inking unit, intelligent speed compensation for inking and dampening units and effective anti-ghosting solutions.
However Hawley reckons that the clever stuff is really the “combination of all the innovations and additional options we have brought together to make the press as flexible as possible.”
How easy is it to use?
It’s got all the latest offset press automation features, including a new operating console. Manroland says users have found it “intuitive and very user friendly.”
What training and support is on offer?
To go with the Evolution, Manroland has introduced the new Proserve 360° performance programme, a combination of maintenance and service contract with usage analysis. The ProServe Supreme maintenance contract runs for the first two years and includes two machine inspections, two machine maintenance interventions, 24-hour telephone support, five remote check-ups and four productivity analysis reports.
“This gives the customer a full service concept to accompany the machine in the first two years,” says Hawley.
What does it cost?
As this is very much a build-to-order press with a lot of options, it’s hard to be exact, Hawley says. However as a guide, he says that “for a reasonably specified R704 LV Evolution the price can start from £1.1m.”
What’s the sales target and how many have been sold?
“The target is to sell as many presses as possible!” Hawley says. So far two sales have been announced, with Samson Druck in Austria taking the first machine and following it with a second order for a ten-unit machine after a few months. “Since the launch there have been strong levels of interest in the Evolution and we are in serious negotiations with a number of companies,” Hawley states.
SPECIFICATIONS
Sheet sizes standard: 740x1,040mm; optional: 750x1,050mm; 3B Plus format: 780x1,050mm
Max print area standard: 715x1,030mm; optional: 730x1,040mm; 3B Plus: 770x1,040mm
Max speed 16,000sph (18,000sph optional)
Substrate thickness range 0.04-1mm
Price From £1.1m for a typical configuration
Contact Manroland Sheetfed 020 8648 7090 www.manroland.co.uk
ALTERNATIVES
Heidelberg XL 106
The B1-plus model in Heidelberg’s flagship XL perfecting range, which emphasises a lot of automation.
Max sheet size 750x1,060mm
Min/max caliper straight: 0.03mm/1mm; perfecting: 0.03mm/0.8mm
Max speed straight: 18,000sph; perfecting: 15,500sph (18,000sph option for perfecting)
Price From £836,314
Contact Heidelberg UK 020 8490 3500 www.uk.heidelberg.com
KBA Rapida 105
KBA offers perfecting configurations with up to 10 units. There are options for board printing. A lightweight option handles paper down to 0.04mm.
Max sheet size standard: 720x1,050mm; special: 740x1,050mm
Min/max caliper standard: 0.06mm/0.7mm; perfector: 0.06mm/0.6mm; other options for lightweight and packaging
Max speed straight: 16,000sph (17,000sph optional); perfector: (simplex): 15,000sph; perfector: (perfecting): 14,000sph
Price From £1m
Contact KBA UK 01923 819922 www.kba-uk.com
Komori Lithrone G40
Komori’s family of B1 presses is available with a range of capabilities, with the KHS-AI advanced interface for quick changeovers and optional H-UV drying.
Max sheet size 720x1,030mm
Min/max caliper 0.04mm/0.8mm
Max speed 16,500sph
Price £865,000 (four-colour press plus coater and dryer)
Contact Komori +31 30 248 2828 www.komori.eu
Ryobi MHI V3000 LX
The flagship Diamond can be configured with automatic simultaneous plate changing) and inline closed-loop colour control).
Max sheet size 750x1,050mm
Min/max caliper 0.04mm/1mm
Max speed 16,200 sph
Price around £1.4m (five-colour machine with coater and extended delivery)
Contact M Partners 020 8835 2221 www.mpartners.co.uk
USER REVIEW
“The new console and touchscreen are user-friendly and Inline colour measuring and control ensures consistent quality” 4.5/5
Gerhard Aichhorn Owner and general manager, Samson Druck, Austria
