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Describe your business
We are a Dorset-based litho and digital print company. We do everything from general commercial print, instant quote work, short-run books, packaging and newsletters.

What does the machine do?
This five-colour B2 press enables you to program the next job while the machine is still printing. When the job is finished, it will de-ink, wash the blankets and back cylinders, take the old plates off and put new plates on, pull in the new ink colour profile and restart – all without needing to lay a finger on it.

Did you look at any other similar machines?
The Roland 300 was okay, but it didn’t have the level of automation the Komori has, while Hedielberg’s SM75 is just a slightly upgraded version of what we had and its XL75 is fantastic, but has silly things like computer-controlled air under the side of the pile that you just don’t need.
 
Why did you make the purchase?
Our Heidelberg press was 10 years old.

What features do you particularly like?
The fact that it has got oversized transfer cylinders so you don’t get paper marking, yet it is so compact. I also like the fact that you can queue jobs up.

Is there anything that you dislike?
I had reservations about the wash rolls, which are pre-impregnated cloth, but though they are more expensive, they do clean the blankets much better and use less chemistry.

Is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t?
The only thing I can think of is a front-lay register warning. It trips out if it doesn’t make the front lay by 0.5mm, which is a problem when you’re running it at really high speeds.

How fast is it?
I’ve had it running at 16,000sph on 70g bond, which is a horrible sheet to print.

What’s the quality like?
The print quality is extremely good.

How easy is it to use?
The Heidelberg and Komori operating systems are completely different, but now we’re used to it, it’s simple.

How much time has it saved?
Makeready times have been halved – they are now always under 10 minutes. Running speeds are up by 40%.

Has it won you any new work?
We’ve secured quite a few more catalogues jobs, as well as some extra work with existing customers. When they saw the quality of their work, they asked us to take on more.

Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
You have to install a transformer to take the electricity current down to 200V.

What about the pre- and after-sale service?
Komori’s has been excellent.

Under what circumstances would you buy another?
When I get enough work for it. I would buy another one tomorrow if I needed another press.

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Conclusion
User’s verdict    
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5
Reliability 4/5
Value for money 5/5

Supplier’s response     
Steve Turner, Komori UK general sales manager for sheetfed presses, says: "The Lithrone S529 at Remous has the full Komori automation package, which is ideal for their work profile. The quick print start-up system reduces the company’s turnaround time on its short-run web-to-print jobs. As the Remous site is compact, the relatively small footprint of the Lithrone suits them down to the ground."
Price Around £575,000
Contact Komori UK 01132 799900