Every printer needs a press capable of churning out work 24/7. A reliable, high-volume press will more than pay for itself in the long term, and Mitsubishi's Diamond 1000 fits into that category, according to Patrick Brennan, UK sales and marketing manager for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
"The fact that the Diamond 1000 is such a workhorse ensures its long-term popularity on the secondhand market," he says. "Reliability and robustness add to that appeal."
Mitsubishi introduced the Diamond series almost 10 years ago at Print 01 Chicago and it's now an established machine on the secondhand market. There are two models in the range: the standard LS model and the LC, specified for folding carton applications. The latter had a thicker sheet range of 0.8mm, compared to the 0.6mm maximum on the LC.
Aimed at the mid-size B2 format market, the Diamond series could churn out direct mail work, booklets, leaflets, point-of-purchase materials and packaging. With a maximum of 12 printing units, the machine was JDF compatible, with a speed of 15,000 sheets per hour.
Mitsubishi says that high levels of automation make the Diamond to stand out. The Diamond 1000 has an auto-preset inking system, feeder and delivery presetting and a remote controlled running register with lateral, circumferential and plate skewing. The press also has a remote-controlled front lay register and roller control.
Automation advantage
According to Mark Sheldrick, managing director at used-equipment dealer Direct Press Marketing (DPM), Mitsubishi was one of the first to introduce auto-plate loading on their presses. Another was rival Japanese manufacturer Komori. "A lot of the printing plants in Japan use non-skilled labour workers, so they needed the machine to be as efficient as possible without needing an intimate knowledge of the printing press," he says.
The machine was heavily engineered so the operator could benefit from an easier makeready. For example, greasing points mounted on the outside of the machine make the operator's life easier. This is one of the reasons why it has remained popular on the secondhand market.
The double-sized chrome-plated impression cylinders of the machine are configured in a ‘seven o'clock' formation, allowing one print cycle to be completed before it's transferred to the next unit. The press can also print on plastics and has chilled rollers. Options include anti-ghosting rollers, IR dryers with hot air knives, UV-curing systems, and extended delivery. Inline optional extras also include perfecting and coating.
Spares can be bought through Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE), the distributor for Mitsubishi presses in the UK, and both DPM and GAE offer service contracts.
A new five-colour Diamond 1000LS will cost £450,000 while a secondhand 2004 model costs £265,000 including delivery and installation.
Specifications
Speed 15,000sph
Max sheet size 520x720mm
Min sheet size 273x380mm
Sheet thickness range 0.04mm to 0.6mm
Carton max 0.8mm
Number of units 12 plus coater or perfector
Footprint 2.5x3.4m
Weight 19 tonnes
Price
New Diamond 1000LS-5: £450,000
Used Diamond 1000LS-5:£265,000
What to look for
Clean surface on impression cylinder
Service history
