Ry-Offset joint managing director Neil Handforth said Ryobi had incorporated exactly the right amount of automation for those wanting to get into the short-run A3 market.

We still sell a lot of two-colour presses so theres definitely a market there. Lots of customer enquiries ask if we do a two-colour or above of a certain press, said Handforth
The new press, which is available now after being brought forward from September, can run at a top production speed of 11,000 sheets per hour.

Handforth added: This press is for those who might aspire to have a fully automatic 522HXX but their finances might not allow. This gives them a way in to the market.

The 524HE has Ryobi S-RPC semi-automatic plate change as standard, along with Ryobi Program Inking and Ryobi PCS printing control system.

Unlike the 522HXX, ink settings and lateral and circumferencial plate adjustments are done manually. The press can handle metal or polyester plates, which do not have to be bent before they are put on. It can handle paper sizes from 100x105mm to 520x375mm.

A lot of companies now use CTP, so there arent too many adjustments once the plates are on press. Some people feel that having all the electronic adjustments is overkill, said Handforth.

The first installation of the four-colour 524HE has taken place at R&B Printers in Kent.

Story by John Davies