Sakurai is using Drupa to launch its first digital products, including the TruePress, Screens radial DI press for which Sakurai developed the paper handling.
The four-colour TruePress is one of two new digital machines on the stand, forming a "two-pronged attack on the digital market," said Sakurai.
Its other new machine is the four-colour Oliver 474 EPII DI and both will be available later this year or in 2001.
Southern area sales manager Colin Hewett said: "The machines put Sakurai at the forefront of technology. We want to show our customers we are really in business."
The B2 TruePress was developed with Dainippon Screen and uses conventional inks and consumables.
It can print 8,000 sheets an hour and has a total print cycle of up to 1,000 B2 sheets in 20 minutes.
The Oliver 474 EPII DI with perfecting prints 13,000 sheets an hour and works in digital or conventional mode. It resulted from a joint venture with Presstek and uses its Pearlgold process-free plates.
Prices for the two new presses are being finalised, but the Oliver should cost around 625,000. Hewett said five- and six-colour versions would be developed around August.
Story by Jez Abbott