The Japan-based manufacturer claims the Mega J-Print 40 offers unique product-ivity gains as the world’s first long perfector that can print and coat both sides of the sheet in one pass.

The machine, which had its first UK showing recently, is uniquely configured with two anilox coaters at the end of the press just before the delivery, avoiding the traditional marking problem presented by eight- and 10-colour machines that have a coater before the first perfecting unit.

The Mega J-Print can reach speeds of up to 15,000 sheets per hour on substrates between 360x540mm and 720x1,030mm. Coatings can be applied as a sealer, or as a gloss or matt feature. According to Akiyama, in all cases the sheet is dry the moment it comes off the press.

“The advantage of coating a sheet is that it allows the printer to carry out the next process, such as folding or guillotining, immediately after printing, without having to wait for the ink to dry,” said the manager of Akiyama’s UK distributor MDP, Mark Jennings.

“Many single-sided five- or six-colour presses are supplied with coaters for all these reasons, but no manufacturer before Akiyama has succeeded in doing it on a press that prints on both sides,” he added.

The kit’s double-deck configuration, which prints colours alternately front and back, takes up half the space of a conventional five-back-five press, and consumes about 30% less power.

MPD said a 10-colour B1 with double coater would cost around £2.2m. It is expected to ship in 2009.

Specifications
l Description: JP 5P540DC press with double coater
l Speed: 15,000 sheets per hour
l Capacity: between 360x540mm and 720x1,030mm
l Features: feeder static eliminator,
anti-curl system, continuous dampening, automatic ink roller
wash-up, ink temperature control, detachable slowdown suction wheels, double-sided coater
l Price: £2.2m for a 10-colour B1 with double coater
Contact: www.akiyma-international.com