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| January 28, 2004 No.0978 | ||
| MHI Brings the Future of Printing to 'drupa 2004' - Exhibits to Include Variable Web Offset Press, Reusable Plate System and Other State-of-the Art Technologies - |
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Dusseldorf, Germany, January 28, 2004 - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI)
will exhibit and demonstrate an array of its state-of-the-art printing machines
and technologies in Germany at "drupa 2004," the world's largest international
graphic arts exhibition for the printing industry. This year's show will be held
from May 6 through May 19 in Dusseldorf at the Messe Fairgrounds.
The theme on MHI's stand (Hall 15, Booths 15C62-D62) will be "Contributions for your Success." Demonstrations will focus on performance, innovation and ecology, and the stand will be divided into three main zones.
MHI's nearly 1,600 square meters of exhibition space will also be used to present the company's advanced technologies in commercial web presses and newspaper offset presses. The company's comprehensive technological expertise in fields spanning environmental protection and automation to robotics and space technology applied in the design and development of its printing machinery will also be shown in the form of product model displays. DIAMOND 16 MAX-V with Variable Cutoff Up until now, the circumference of the plate cylinder has basically defined web offset press signature cutoffs. MHI's DIAMOND 16 MAX-V - this one press alone - changes this definition, handling variable cutoff sizes from 546mm up 625mm. Different diameter plate and blankets sleeves fit over cylinders in a relatively quick and easy operation. Folder changeover from one signature cutoff to another is fully automated. At drupa, MHI will demonstrate a job changeover involving a web cutoff and signature change. Reusable Plate System (RPS) Conventionally, text, illustrations and photos to be printed are imaged onto printing plates, and the plates are used once and then discarded. With MHI's reusable plate system, however, the aluminum plate serves as a bed on which a special polymer coating film is applied. Text, illustrations and photos for printing are created on the film by direct digital imaging. After printing, the film is washed from the plate and a new coating film applied, thereby enabling one plate to be used repeatedly. Unlike conventional direct imaging (DI) presses, the RPS is a separate offline erasing and writing system. This method enables reduced press costs, eliminates press downtime normally required while the plates are being imaged, and enhances the work environment for printing plate production. Together these innovative features, in combination with MHI's advanced printing technologies mentioned above, enable customers to achieve outstanding cost reductions and higher productivity. Although other press manufacturers have introduced the concept and prototypes of the RPS and variable web cutoff in the past, MHI is the first company in the world to exhibit and demonstrate commercially viable models. Sheet-fed Offset Presses: DIAMOND 3000TP / DIAMOND 3000LX The DIAMOND 3000TP applies MHI's proprietary technologies to enable one-pass perfecting and aqueous coating/IR drying on both sides of the sheet. Immediate drying time enables faster delivery to finishing. Utilizing a unique in-line unit arrangement for both front and reverse side printing, the tandem perfector (TP) achieves high-quality printing with easy operation. The press to be demonstrated at drupa will also feature a one-phase plate cylinder positioning system, enabling simultaneous plate changing operations and significant reduction in plate change makeready time. The DIAMOND 3000LX sheet-fed offset press prints on various stock across a wide thickness range, from 0.04mm (millimeters) to 1.0mm. At drupa, the DIAMOND 3000LX will also be used in demonstrations of the digital workflow process. In addition to these two sheet-fed presses, MHI will also present through graphic displays its shaftless driven commercial web offset presses equipped with MAX-saver software, a package of programs that significantly contribute to reduced paper waste by differing press speed and web speed. Newspaper press offset Graphic panels on the DIAMONDSTAR - the world's fastest double width newspaper offset press capable of speeds up to 90,000cph - will also be exhibited. Visitors will also be introduced to MAX-net, MHI's digital workflow networking solution that creates an advanced printing environment by integrating the printing system and a management information system (MIS). # # #
About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global heavy machinery manufacturers, with consolidated sales of 2,593 billion yen (US$21.6 billion) in fiscal 2002 (year ended March 31, 2003). MHI's diverse lineup of products and services encompasses shipbuilding, steel structures, power plants, chemical plants, steel plants, environmental equipment, industrial and general machinery, aircraft, space rocketry and air-conditioning systems. For more information, please visit the MHI website (http://www.mhi.co.jp). PRESS CONTACT: Hideo Ikuno: h.ikuno@daiya-pr.co.jp Tel: +813-6716-5277, Fax: +813-6716-5929 Daiya PR (in charge of public relations for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) |
