Heatset Web Offset Presses -- Hot Rumors Cool Off

During a pre-Drupa press conference held in Düsseldorf in January, Mitsubishi announced the following new web product developments for the Drupa exhibition: Reusable Plate System (RPS) utilizing digital off-line imaging technology. The RPS is currently developed for run lengths up to 100,000 impressions; the MAX-Saver Expert Software Platform, which integrates all of the press operational functions through the Mitsubishi-developed, computer-integrated software program; and the Diamond 16MAX-V commercial web press system, which incorporates variable cutoff technology for increased format flexibility. The exhibit will include a single printing unit and a variable cutoff combination folder in operation.

There is a lot of interest in the industry right now in press control systems and CIP4 capability, notes Eric Short, president and CEO of RDP Marathon. "Press controls are key," he stresses. "Printers have to be able to take digital files from prepress, set up the press and make it functional with a minimal amount of waste and time."

RDP Marathon engineers web presses for commercial, direct mail, labels, packaging and document printing. The RDP Smart•Set 2000 provides control of all press functions on touchscreen graphic displays accessible from both the main console and individual print units, integrating seamlessly with management software, including CIP4 digital workflow, and providing job storage and retrieval, and a modem interface for remote systems diagnostics.

Dave Moreland, of Dauphin Graphic Machines (DGM), remarks that many of his commercial customers are bringing along their non-heatset print customers and eventually losing the fastest growing publications to heatset printers. "We have developed a press to allow our clients to add heatset capability affordably and efficiently in the DGM 440 press line," he explains.

The design is a three ink form, three oscillator vertical machine capable of speeds up to 45,000 iph. The press is oil lubricated, both gear and operator side, with cooled oil. The unit is also available with water-cooled oscillators and is equipped with a shaft or shaftless drive. The heatset equipment can be configured as vertical dryers or horizontal dryers over the press line. DGM will have a DGM 440 tower at its Drupa booth and information about its latest controls platform for the DGM 440.