The S40 P will be available in 4/4, 5/5 and 6/6 versions.

"We've always had a number of perfecting options but attention has focused on the SP," said Komori UK director of marketing Philip Dunn. "The Lithrone S40 P is new but we've done the Lithrone 40 in that configuration."

It will run at 15,000 sheets per hour and handle stock up to 0.45mm thick.

"It's important in a perfector to have flexibility on stocks," said Dunn.

The perfector uses three double size cylinders, which are claimed to give very stable and precise sheet transfer without marking, even at full speed.

The first machine is being installed in Japan and the second is going to a French printer. There are also orders from Spain and Australia.

Komori predicts that the 5/5 and 6/6 versions will prove popular in the US and Europe.

It is also possible to build machines with 13 or 14 units. Some US customers have asked for 15-unit machines. Komori claims that the S40's rigid frames make these extremely long machines possible.