The firm will give its four-page Lithrone S26 and S29 machines and the S40SP B1 super perfector their global launches at the April show.

It unveiled the S26/S29, which have makeready speeds 50% faster than the Lithrone 26/28, at an event in Japan earlier this week.

"We strongly believe that the [S29] press has the fastest make-ready available on the market," said UK head of marketing Philip Dunn.

Komori will show two configurations of the B2 S29 at Ipex, a five-colour with coater and IR drying, and a five-back-five long perfector (pictured).

The JDF-enabled presses are based on the highly specified B1 S40 series. They feature fully automated plate change (FAPC) as standard, with a new clamping system that negates plate bending, capable of changing six plates in just over three minutes (to the music of Indiana Jones if you're interested).

According to Dunn, FAPC has received "rave reviews" during beta testing in Japan. "Because it allows you to load job number two, while number one is being printed," he said.

Another key feature of presses is their virtually instantaneous 12,000sph start-up speed.

Ink profiling and pre-inking is fully automatic via KHS, and a new integrated press console controls it. Ink roller, blanket cylinder and impression cylinder cleaning are fully automatic.

The 15,000sph automatic convertible perfecting model uses three double-sized transfer cylinders, with the option for a skeleton transfer cylinder.

Both the S29 and SRA2 S26 have options including coaters, extended delivery, UV and IR drying. 16,000sph straight models are available from two to eight colours, and convertible perfectors from four to 10. The presses can handle sheets from 0.04-0.8mm and 0.04-0.45 respectively.

Pricing is yet to be revealed but Dunn said: "Bearing in mind that the S29 is fully automated, it will be around the same price as the highest specification Lithrone 28, even though it [the S29] will have much more automation."

The presses will begin shipping at the show, and eventually replace the Lithrone 26 and 28, although for the foreseeable future they will be sold alongside each other.

The Japanese manufacturer will also launch a new model in its B1 Lithrone S40 range at Ipex. The S40SP double-deck perfector, which was first shown at Drupa in 2004, is the first S version double-decker press and will, like the S26/S29, begin shipping soon after Ipex. It will be exhibited as a five-back-five machine and be used to print the PrintWeek-produced Ipex Daily live at the Birmingham show.

A five-colour version of the entry level B2 SPICA, which is convertible to a two-over-three perfector, will also be unveiled at the show.

"That's purely in response to market demand," said Dunn.