When was it launched and what market is aimed at?
This 75,000-copies-per-hour (cph) version of the Goss Universal 2x1 cylinder format web press was unveiled at Ifra Expo last October. According to Goss International EMEA marketing manager Eric Bell, the Universal was launched in response to a greater need for higher production speeds within the mid-volume newspaper market. Most of these printers fill their press capacity by contract printing for external publishers – put simply, the faster they can print, the more contracts they can accept. Contract printing has become more lucrative as run lengths reduce and as modern-day press capabilities allow printers to diversify into a wider range of products.
A web of paper is fed from a reelstand through a unit or a tower of units, printing both sides of the web. Units can be single for mono colour or stacked on top of each other vertically to form a tower. Each unit in the tower prints a single colour on both sides of the web at high speed. The printed web is fed into a folder, which cuts and folds the pages into editions.
What’s its USP?
According to Bell, the new Universal meets the dual requirements of single-width agility and high output. He says it has been enhanced with the same blanket lock-up features used in other high-end Goss commercial web presses, enabling it to maintain the same quality at a faster speed. While Bell acknowledges there are a variety of presses within the newspaper sector that could be recommended to satisfy the production demands of a particular printer, he believes the Universal gives customers more options and flexibility.
How does this press differ from other Universal models?
It’s 50% faster. The original Universal 2x1, launched in 1991, ran at 50,000cph. This latest single-width model is available in cut-offs from 530mm to 630mm and web widths from 840-1,000mm. The Universal is also available in 4x1 and 4x2 double-width, single-circumference formats (eight and 16 pages per cylinder revolution respectively), as well as a 2x2 single-wide, double-circumference model. A double circumference means print signatures can be collected together. The 4x1 format is especially suitable for newspaper printers that produce many different editions quickly but don’t need the capacity of 4x2 or 6x2 presses.
How easy is it to use?
Goss claims the shaftless design, with one motor per unit, means tension control is better so there are fewer web breaks. The design is also said to make the press easier to operate and allows "top-level" automation features to be incorporated. These include: high-speed web-up; tower phasing; quarterfold blade phasing; and ink and register presetting from CIP4/JDF files. Up to 30 jobs can be stored and recalled, and there are separate servers for job preparation, logging, reporting and maintenance, enabling easy data retrieval for all aspects of production.
What training and level of service support can users expect?
Bell says Goss offers extensive training, both at its own facilities and on-site. Regardless of the age of the press, the manufacturer can also provide interactive ‘flight simulator-type’ software programs to help train new personnel. Should anything go wrong with the press, Goss has "round-the-clock" remote diagnostic support as well as a 24-hour emergency breakdown hotline. The UK parts centre in Preston has 17,000 line items so Goss says spares can be supplied quickly and efficiently. Goss can also provide an on-site inventory service for customers to ensure they hold a full stock of essential spares at all times.
How much is it and how many are installed?
Goss launched the product in October and is ready to take orders for the press, which will set you back between £4m-£6m. The web offset press market continues to be slow and, thus far, there have been no shipments of this latest member of the Universal family, although, across the whole range, 4,900 Goss Universal printing units have been installed since 1991.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max speed
75,000cph
Size
(cut-offs x max web widths available)
530 or 533x840mm; 546, 560, 578 or 600x914mm; 620 or 630x1,000mm
Footprint
16.x4.7x3.3m
Weight
24 tonnes
Price
£4m-£6m DOC
Contact
01772 257571
ALTERNATIVES
Manroland Rotoman Like the Universal, the single-width variant of Manroland’s Rotoman range is able to print up to 75,000cph. It has improved in performance over the years too. One such example was the introduction of automated plate changing – it takes just two minutes to change the plates on all eight cylinders.
Speed 75,000cph
Size (cut-offs x max web widths available)
578, 598, 620 or 630x965 or 1,000mm
Price From £2.8m (€3.3m)
Contact Manroland GB 020 8648 7090
KBA Continent The Continent 2x1 cylinder format press is based on the technology of KBA’s better-known 2x2 sister machine, the Comet. The 75,000cph machine uses KBA’s shaftless drives and comes in a tower configuration to support high colour content. A heatset package with modified folder is optional.
Speed 75,000cph
Size (cut-offs x max web widths available)
546 or 630x1,000mm
Price £1.25m-£8.5m (€1.5m-€10m)
Contact KBA UK 01923 819922 www.kba-print.de/uk
Solna D680 Swedish manufacturer Solna’s single-width equivalent to the Universal is the D680. It’s noticeable for its ‘box-type’ side frames on both sides of the unit. Two folders are available, the Solna F400C, which allows a maximum speed of 75,000cph in straight mode and 37,500 in collect mode, and the Wifag Jaw KF115. The KF115 is based on a modular design and is automated for a number of operations, which Solna says ensures fast changeovers.
Speed 75,000cph
Size (cut-offs x max web widths available)
546x840mm, 560 or 578x915mm
Price £3.4m-£3.8m
Contact JanusTech 01565 723538
