When was the machine launched? The Roland 900XXL first appeared in 2004. Over the years, modifications have included a wider sheet size and the introduction of a reverse-sheet print system. Last autumn, Manroland introduced a perfecting version, which was officially launched into the UK in May this year.
Who is it aimed at? The press is targeted at magazine and book printers looking to print paper and light carton in perfecting mode for signatures and covers, says Manroland commercial sales manager Adam Robotham. "It may also interest printers who might want to take short-run work away from web presses," he adds.
How quick is it and what is the quality like? The press perfects at 10,000sph. Robotham says the build and print quality is as high as any other Manroland press, and there are tight tolerances for unit-to-unit register. To enable accurate front-to-back registration, the press uses Manroland’s exchangeable OptiPrint jackets, as opposed to the more typical textured cylinders.
What’s its USP? It’s the largest sheetfed perfector in the world and the only press capable of 64pp A4 production in one pass. According to Robotham, its productivity is equal to three conventional B1 perfecting presses, and this leads to significant overhead savings. Having no second pass means wash-up and makeready times are shorter, and there is a space saving due to fewer pallets and shorter throughput times. "Its USP is the unit cost of production," Robotham suggests. "If you’re running a B1 long perfector, you’re printing 16pp production. This machine will do four times as much print at any one time. Yes, it’s slightly slower than a B1 perfector, but overall productivity is still three times as high."
How does the perfector work? The perfector has double-sized cylinders, which help to keep the sheet stable and the turning process smooth. Built within the delivery section of the press is an inline slitter, and a slitting wheel runs against a steel band on the drum to do this while perfecting. Robotham says the advantage is that two stacks are delivered instead of one, assisting with the onward finishing of the sheet. Manroland’s ink measuring and controlling system, ColorPilot, can be included inline before and after perfecting.
How easy is the machine to use? Robotham says the operating system of the 900XXL is the same as other Manroland presses; if you can run one, you can run them all. The addition of ColorPilot, meanwhile, simplifies press operation. "When the job comes through to the console, all the colour values are already set. ColorPilot knows that, so as the job starts to print, it will automatically regulate the colour," Robotham explains. "It’s taken a lot of the difficult things away from the operator, because it all happens automatically."
What other modifications have been made? To cut makeready times the press is now equipped with Manroland’s automated plate-loading system (APL). APL has a four-axis robotic arm, which has a positioning accuracy of 0.01mm and can grip a set of up to four plates or, in case of a regional-edition change, just the plates that have been selected and prepared beforehand. "Because it’s such a big machine you want as little plate handling as possible, which is where APL comes in," says Robotham.
What level of service support is there? Manroland offers ProServ, a customised service programme based on the needs of the individual customer. Service contracts can range from a basic annual inspection and safety check, right up to maintenance supervision, production analysis and training. "If a customer has their own in-house engineer, they may not want that highest level of contract as they can do a lot of the maintenance and repair themselves," explains Robotham. "So we provide a bespoke service." The 900XXL is equipped with TelePresence, an online remote diagnostic service that can connect the press to Manroland’s support team. Built in to TelePresence is Maintenance Manager, a module that details and registers all the specific maintenance tasks that need to be performed on the press.
How much does it cost and how many have been sold? Robotham says a 900XXL eight-colour perfector will come in under £5m. To date, five perfector models have been sold worldwide, the first of which went to magazine printer Himmer in Augsburg, Germany, which helped develop the press.
How many perfectors does Manroland expect to sell in the future? Realistically, one or two per year in the UK is the target, according to Robotham, who appreciates that the B1 market in this country is very mature.
SPECIFICATIONS
Speed
Straight: 11,000sph (12,000sph optional)
Perfecting: 10,000sph
Max sheet size
1,310x1,870mm
Max imaging area
1,290x1,850mm
Units
2-10
Stock thickness
0.1-0.6mm (0.04-0.6mm optional)
Price
Eight-colour perfector: sub-£5m
Contact
Manroland GB 020 8648 7090 www.manroland.co.uk
COMPANY PROFILE
Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 162
The 162 press may be the biggest press in Heidelberg’s range, but the firm does not pitch it against the larger 900XXL, although at 15,000sph in straight mode it is quicker.
Speed 15,000sph (12,000sph perfecting)
Max sheet size 1,620x1,210mm
Price TBA
Contact Heidelberg UK 0844 892 2010 www.uk.heidelberg.com
KBA Rapida 162a
Like the Heidelberg, KBA’s machine is not a direct competitor, insofar as it’s a smaller format, and the perfector version is slightly slower in perfecting mode.
Speed 11,000sph (9,000sph perfecting)
Max sheet size 1,620x1,200mm
Price from £4m (eight-colour perfector)
Contact KBA UK 01923 699535 www.kba-print.de/uk/home.html 020 8648 7090
