Komori Introduces Offset-on-Demand with Launch of Lithrone G40 Press

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL, August 11, 2011—Komori America, a premier manufacturer of sheetfed and web offset printing presses, announced the launch of its latest press in the Komori line-up, the Lithrone G40. Formally introduced on July 20 to a select group of customers at Komori America’s GraphiCenter in Rolling Meadows, IL, the Lithrone G40 combines many of the state-of-the-art technologies from the Lithrone SX40 with the award-winning features of the Lithrone S40 to deliver a best-in-class machine that meets the demands of today’s fast-paced printing marketplace.

With Komori’s revolutionary KHS-AI technology at its core, and a maximum printing speed of 16,500 sheets per hour, the Lithrone G40 is the backbone of Komori’s innovative “Offset-on-Demand” concept. The press is a high-performance machine that delivers outstanding efficiency and print quality through a stable printing platform. Some of the features on the new G40 include:

• Suction Tape Feeder Board equipped with one belt in the center and no brushers or rollers ensures stable, highly accurate feeding regardless of paper weight.

• With KHS-AI’s self learning function, paper waste is significantly improved reducing cost and environmental impact.

• The quickest automatic blanket washing system in the industry is further enhanced with the use of pre-soaked cloth for blanket and impression washer cleaning.

• The new full-APC (automatic plate changing) is not only faster than previous systems, it employs the use of a benderless clamp, eliminating the need to bend plates and making plate discharge and feeding more efficient.
“We are very excited that we can now take the KHS-AI-equipped Lithrone G40 and marry it with our newly introduced H-UV system,” said Doug Schardt, product manager for Komori. “The entire system is very efficient. With KHS-AI, you can make your first pull at 20 sheets, dramatically reducing makeready waste, then print the job on the H-UV equipped Lithrone G40, and literally produce a high quality, bindery-ready job in minutes. It is the perfect storm of productivity.”

During the demonstration at Komori America’s headquarters, a 16-page signature was printed on the Lithrone G40 using H-UV, and then immediately sent to bindery for cutting, folding and stitching on a Horizon Stitchliner 5500. The Stitchliner 5500 is an innovative saddle-stitching system which incorporates flat sheet collating, scoring, folding, stitching and three-knife trimming in-line. “We produced 500 completely finished 16-page, high quality brochures in just under 25 minutes,” said Schardt.

Komori’s H-UV System is an innovative curing system that was developed by Komori as one of its many products designed to improve overall pressroom efficiency. Designed with just one lamp mounted in the delivery, significant benefits include low heat to the stock; significantly reduced power usage; faster makeready times; superior dot reproduction and ink gloss; powder free application and dramatic special effects as well a cross platform compatibility with UV and conventional inks and coatings. With H-UV, sheets can go from the press directly to bindery, significantly improving efficiency and job turnaround times. The H-UV technology is a 2011 recipient of the Printing Industries of America’s InterTech Technology Award.

About Komori America
Tokyo-based Komori Corp., a premier manufacturer of sheetfed and web offset printing presses, provides world class technology especially suited for today’s highly competitive printing marketplace. Delivering the highest level in print quality coupled with impressively fast makeready and JDF connectivity through open systems architecture, Komori presses help printers achieve higher productivity levels essential for increased margins and business growth. Komori America Corporation is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, IL and manages a sales and service organization throughout North America.

Source: Komori.