Indian press maker Manugraph moves into double-width

Indian press manufacturer Manugraph has launched the country's first double-width press, a 4/1 design called the Smartline and with a quoted production speed of 70,000 cph. Launching the press at the Print Pack 2009 trade show, the company said the 4x1 configuration was becoming increasingly popular because of a number of advantages: For every impression a four-high tower produces eight colour pages, saving space over the same capacity on a 2/1 design and bringing savings on plate costs. Plate and blanket cylinders of the Smartline are mounted on three-race bearings to ensure vibration running at high speeds. The plate cylinder is of single circumference, while the blanket cylinder is of double circumference, ensuring good stability at high speeds. Also new is the Hiline Express, a technical extension of the Hiline, but with three forme rollers and three oscillators (with water cooling option) as well as spray bar dampening. This makes the ink lay on the plate more precise and improves dot reproduction, taking the press into the semicommercial market with a 45,000 cph maximum speed. The company also showed UV curing on its 35,000 cph Cityline press - an option it says costs a third of conventional heatset systems and occupies very little space. Other advantages include lower energy use, and the simplification of environmental issues with exhaust far cleaner and subject to less regulation.