What does the machine do?
The Manroland 505LV is a five-colour B2 press with an online flexo unit and UV drying facility.
Why did you buy this particular machine?
Manroland's modular programme allowed us to select specific areas for our specialist business. For example, we produce a lot of branded stationery, packaging and point-of-sale, which requires a bigger footprint than B2, and we wanted to be more efficient than using a B1.
What materials are you able to print on?
With the Premium Format Change feature, we have a range of automatic settings for different size and heights of suction heads and for the lateral adjustment of pile in the feeder. This allows us to run batches of materials ranging from 70gsm FSC paper to 500 micron board and a range of polymers from 100 micron to 1,000 micron.
What is the advantage of using UV on an offset press?
You really do get the best of both worlds. Solvent-free inks are being dried inline with light, rather than heat. We even have a heat exchange system built into the specification to allow us to convert the energy into air conditioning in the factory area. When we are working with clear plastics, such as lenticular lens sheets, we can use the interdeck driers to lay down an opaque white, to save us silk screen printing afterwards
Can you do special coatings?
Yes. We have a wide choice of specialist coatings, including antimicrobial coating to prevent cross contamination in hospitals and public places. We also provide write-on coatings, opaque white coatings and non-write-on coatings. All of these are inline on the press, which reduces cost and time.
Did you consider any alternatives?
We went to Drupa to check everything and were very impressed with several companies. However, the flexibility and modular approach of Manroland really did knock out the competition.
How did the installation go?
We signed the deal at Drupa and wanted the press in December. We installed it in two weeks during that month and it really gelled. We also had to add in a completely new floor - it needed to be reinforced.
How fast is the press?
We can run paper and card at optimum speeds of 16,000 sheets per hour, but experience has proven that we should run at slower speeds on difficult and heavy substrates, which we run at around half the speed.
Has it won you any new work?
The trade grapevine has been good to us and the lenticular business we are winning from strong overseas competition is significant. I can't wait until Christmas to see all the posters, packaging and point-of-sale material we will have produced for retailers. Meanwhile, we have lots of lenticular promotions going to our regular customers such as Williams Lea and Office Depot. Universities are also using it for a variety of applications
Is it good value for money?
It is extremely good value for money. We are looking at the time saving and efficiencies we are making to keep our prices competitive in a difficult market. We are even winning the hearts and minds of the most demanding print procurement companies. Also, we fixed the rate at Drupa in sterling.
Under what circumstances would you buy another?
This finishes our current investment programme with a unique set up of two digital HP Indigo S2000s, a KBA Genius waterless press and the Manroland 500. The next investment will almost certainly be a second Manroland
Conclusion
User’s verdict
Speed 5/5
Quality 5/5
Reliability 5/5
Value for money 5/5
Supplier’s response
Gary Doman, sheetfed sales director at Manroland GB, says: It’s about having the muscle. The 500 is a quarter of the size of the XXL press and is nearly a third heavier than its nearest rival – you do have to take into consideration the floor during installation, which is something you don’t normally need to do for a B2 press. But it is worth the extra investment. It was one of the neatest installations and the guys at Easibind really look after the press – it’s a good operation.
Price From £700,000
Contact Manroland GB 020 8648 7090
