Following on from Sakurai’s successful A2 size 66 SI single diameter impression cylinder range, and the B2 size 75SD double diameter impression cylinder range, Japanese manufacturer, Sakurai has released the A2 size 66 SD and SDP double diameter series. This is Sakurai’s latest offering in 60 years of heavy press construction. Charlie Scandrett from Australian agent Pressnet, says this 66 SD A2 format has been launched onto the 52cm two page market. “It is a double diameter mark-less technology, scaled down into a compact press,” he explains. “It offers a broad range of print capabilities in a short run press. It has twice the print power at approximately the same price as competing 52cm presses. And the automated set up is just as fast as any 52cm press.”
Scandrett says the 66 SD comes with complete automation of feeder and delivery size, impression, blanket wash, roller wash, touch screen 3-axis register control, CIP3 ink profile set and IR dryer.
Because this 66cm press has autoplate and cylinder cocking, plates as thin as 0.15mm can be used. When compared to a 52cm press:
•A four colour set of 66cm plates are about $8 dearer on a 2 page A4 print leaflet job, and $5 cheaper on a 4pp A4 leaflet job;
•The setup times are identical;
•Backup with IR dryer is near instantaneous;
•A 4pp A4 job requires only one colour make ready on a 66cm;
•This 66cm has twice the print power as a 52cm;
•Double diameter cylinders dramatically reduce marking on board.
Scandrett claims savings of over $200,000 per year when a 66cm is compared to a 52cm press for short run work, single shift.
The new press was released by Sakurai at JGAS in October this year, and already has had success overseas. “There has already been several units sold in the UK and Japan, and in Australia the machine already generated interest when it was still being built,” says Scandrett.
Its solid frame structure and flood lubrication give a maximum printing speed of 16,000IPH (in straight mode), and achieves a high printing quality on the larger double diameter impression cylinder with 7 o’clock alignment. Other features are its ergonomic design with small foot print, easy and accurate plate mounting and a variety of automatic wash up devices. Optional equipment includes a CIP3 interface, ink roller temperature controller system, automatic ink dispenser, non-stop feeder, hicky picker bars and interdeck UV dryers.
The Sakurai touch-screen colour console is available in stand alone or delivery top, and semi-high pile and high pile delivery. Sakurai also offers several print colour control systems, including X-Rite ATD, MTD and Sakurai Colour Mission, which uses a photospectrotometer.
