More than 450 visitors attended the Open House at Komori’s Graphic Technology Centre Europe in Utrecht on November 9th and 10th. The theme of the event was The evolution of Offset on Demand. Satoshi Mochida, Chief Operating Officer of Komori Corporation Japan, emphasised the importance of continued Research & Development to serve the graphic industry with profitable solutions. He also highlighted one of the latest innovations of Komori technology, the successfully introduced H-UV curing system.
Mochida said, ‘We chose the title Offset on Demand very carefully. Firstly, because we wanted the industry to know we truly recognise that ‘On Demand’ requirements now apply across every field of the printing industry. Then we use the word ‘Evolution’, because, even in these difficult times, we have continued Research and Development throughout our entire range of products, which have evolved to include the exciting new ‘Lithrone G-40’ press which achieves outstanding quality, higher productivity, increased flexibility and is capable of competitive production on both long and short run lengths.’
As part of the ‘Green’ Commitment, the ‘Lithrone G-40’ has been developed to reduce global warming and chemical pollution, protecting safety, as well as conserving resource. For example, a very slight decrease in the weight of the press realizes 8% reduction of CO2 emitted at the production process. Not only that; it also reduces electricity consumption by 6% and can reduce paper waste by 55% – compared to other presses.
‘Another significant evolutionary development is our H-UV drying system. Compared with normal UV, H-UV can reduce power consumption and CO2 emitted. But its most outstanding benefit is within the production cycle – where it enables jobs to continue straight through to the finishing department immediately after printing – whatever the job and whatever the material. The advantages are enormous and are another example of our response to Offset on Demand, said Mochida.
All attendees experienced the demonstrations of The Lithrone G-840 P model with the H-UV drying system, Komori technology which not only improves productivity but also quality. The Lithrone G-540 with Coater and with H-UV represents Komori’s latest ‘Green’ technologies and technical innovations – all in one press. This demonstration included a full technical walk-through. The company also presented its fast make ready system, KHS-AI, and automated job changeover system, ‘Smart Sequence’, on the Lithrone S-529 with Coater.
The seminar ‘Understanding H-UV’ with presenters by Neil Wrigglesworth, Komori’s General Manager at Komori Graphic Technology Centre Japan, explained the development of the benefits attained by introducing this new system. Other seminar partners, Baldwin, further explained H-UV drying and Apex explained the added value of coating.
In the seminar on ‘Performance enhancements packages Technotrans showcased environmental benefits and Prisco explained alcohol-free printing. Komori illustrated how, through its unique KHS-AI system, printers can, firstly, reduce the amount of waste paper to one tenth of that of a press without KHS-AI and also reduce CO2 emissions, shorten printing lead times, and consequently dramatically reduce total costs.
Also of great interest to attendees were the enhancements of K-Station and Remote Access. All partners (Apex, Atece, Baldwin, Cedu Graphics, Compri, Horizon, Kodak, Prisco, Proost en Brandt, Technotrans and Toyo Ink) took the opportunity to show visitors new products and services at their own booths, located in the reception area of Komori’s European Head Office.
