Launched in 2001 and aimed at commercial, packaging and magazine printers, the B1 Mitsubishi Diamond 3000 range proved an alluring and enduring press that racked up 50 installations in the UK and an enviable 2,000 worldwide.
Since 2001, different models of the sheetfed offset press have been released: the LX for cartons and plastics, the LS for general commercial work, the R for convertible perfecting and the TP for tandem perfecting. These were pitted against B1 rivals, including the Heidelberg CD 102 and the KBA 105. What set the Diamond 3000 range apart, according to Mark Stribley, director at M Partners, the UK and Eire distributor for Mitsubishi sales and service, is flexibility and strength."What the Diamond 3000 series gives is superior build quality, low cost of spares, reduced downtime, due to its excellent reliability, and flexible specifications for specific work like cartons. It also has fantastic print quality due to the build and cylinder configuration."
On the subject of cylinder configuration, sheets travel through the press via Mitsubishi’s double-size impression and transfer cylinder with air cushion tracks. The cylinder arrangement is at a seven-o’clock position, which allows for the sheet to be fully printed before transfer, helping to eliminate marking and to give, says Stribley, the "best possible print quality".
He adds that if evidence were needed that this configuration is the best for quality, you just have to look at the fact the system is used by every major press supplier.
At the front-end of the press, Mitsubishi’s IPC press control system is a step-by-step colour display from which the operator can access all press functions including makeready tasks and fault diagnosis. The system can also store information such as sheet sizes and ink key settings.
Turning to the back end of the press, there are several inline coating and drying options available on the range. In terms of coating, you can pick from an anilox roller, a large varnish forme-roller and a double coater. Meanwhile, a range of driers are available that includes solutions for UV printing and UV coating applications.
Extras include reel sheeters, colour control systems and CIP3 compatibility. Some D 3000 machines were also supplied with simultaneous plate change.
Secondhand machines
The Diamond 3000 range has now been succeeded by the new V3000 family that was launched in 2008. However, Stribley says that there are still some original new 3000 machines available from stock. More likely, however, is that you will get hold of one of the presses secondhand.
"Popular models for export are the four- and five-colour straight machines without coaters," reveals Stribley. "Machines most popular for the UK, though, are the five- and six-colour presses with coaters, perfecting machines, and the six-, eight- and 10-colour presses."
Stribley says a number of factors determine secondhand press prices, but a 10-colour perfecting model, delivered and installed, cleaned, checked and with a warranty, will cost around £800,000.
A new five-colour press from stock will cost around £850,000. By comparison, the latest-generation five-colour V 3000 with coater is £1,350,000.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max speed
16,000sph
Max sheet size
720x1,020m
Min sheet size
350x540mm
Sheet thickness
0.04-0.6mm
Footprint (wxl)
Five-colour LS model: 3.8x10.4m
Weight
Five-colour LS model: 39 tonnes
Price
New V3000: £1.35m
Used 10-colour press with warranty: £800,000
What to look for
• Cylinder damage
• General wear and tear
