Ryobi and Miyakoshi Printing Machinery Developing 29" Liquid-Toner Digital Press

TOKYO—April 2, 2012—Miyakoshi Printing Machinery and Ryobi Ltd. have jointly developed a six-up (29"), liquid-toner-based digital press capable of B2-size printing at up to 8,000 sheets per hour. The new press will be exhibited as a pre-market model by Miyakoshi (Hall 9, Stand A04) at drupa 2012. Ferrostaal Equipment Solutions North America markets and sells Ryobi printing equipment in the United States and Canada.

“This ‘next generation’ printing press is a significant milestone in Ryobi’s 68-year commitment to innovation and the success of printers worldwide,” said John Torrey, president of Ferrostaal’s U.S. and Canada operations. “Today’s news is also a signal that the days of artificially dividing up printing into digital and offset are over. This is a new type of press—a brand new category—that combines the best of offset and digital.

“Printers can have access to the quality and high throughput of an offset press that previous-generation digital presses have not been able to achieve. This new generation of printing press answers an important need between a 40˝ offset and smaller electrophotographic and inkjet presses,” Torrey added.

Digital printing technology has been attracting wide interest for its ability to handle short-run variable data printing with short lead times, and a variety of digital presses are already on the market. But traditional offset printing technology still offers many advantages over digital printing, including higher printing quality, lower running costs, faster printing speeds and the ability to handle long-run jobs.

This has led to strong demand for a new type of press that combines the strengths of both technologies. Responding to that need, Miyakoshi and Ryobi jointly developed a new type of digital press that enables high-speed printing on media as large as B2 size with quality comparable to that of an offset press.

The new press combines the 1,200-dpi resolution and ultrafine-particle liquid-toner electrophotographic technology that Miyakoshi demonstrated on a web press at drupa 2008 with the high-speed sheet feed printing technology Ryobi has perfected for its offset presses.

Through offset transfer of ultrafine-particle liquid toner from a photosensitive drum to the media, this new digital press is able to offer high printing quality comparable to offset printing. Although recent advances have been made in commercial inkjet printing quality, this high level of quality is not yet achieved with an inkjet system.

In addition to short-run printing applications, such as catalogs, posters and packages, the new B2-size liquid toner-based digital printing press is also ideal for high-quality, large-size variable printing.

Based on the response it receives at drupa 2012, preparations will be made to move the press toward its market release.

The press is expected to be available for sale in 2013 and will be marketed, sold and serviced through Ferrostaal and its network of dealers across the United States and Canada. Other Ferrostaal dealers around the world will also sell and service the press in places like Latin America, Asia/Pacific and the Middle East.

According to Torrey, the press is expected to be available for sale in 2013 and will be marketed, sold and serviced through Ferrostaal and its network of dealers across the United States and Canada. Other Ferrostaal dealers around the world will also sell and service the press in places like Latin America, Asia/Pacific and the Middle East.

Specifications of the pre-market model to be exhibited at drupa:

• Printing method: Electrophotographic
• Resolution: 1,200 × 1,200 dpi
• Max. printing speed: 8,000 sheets per hour
• Max. paper size: 31.02 x 23.62˝
• Min. paper size: 16.14 x 11.42˝
• Paper: 64 - 360g/m2
• Feeder pile capacity: 31.50˝
• Delivery pile capacity: 35.43˝

About Ferrostaal
Ferrostaal Equipment Solutions North America helps commercial, in-plant and package printers in the U.S. and Canada make their businesses stronger, more innovative and more sustainable. The company provides printing equipment, custom financing, quick-dispatch service and overnight parts availability through a large network of local and regional graphics equipment dealers.

Ferrostaal tailors its offer to each printer’s specific business needs. With more than a half-century of experience working with printers worldwide, Ferrostaal is independent, entrepreneurial and expert in the business of print, publishing and packaging. Ferrostaal markets and distributes the Ryobi 1050, 920, 750/780, 520, 3304 and 3302 series presses, Ryobi’s market-leading LED-UV curing technology and its inline casting-foiling system for package and security printing.

About Ryobi
Ryobi Ltd., Tokyo, is a diversified manufacturer and leading OEM with operations on three continents and sales in more than 170 countries. Ryobi is a major supplier of precision die-casting products for the world’s top automakers. It is also a leading manufacturer and innovator serving the printing, telecommunications, electronics and construction industries.

Source: Ryobi/Ferrostaal.