Screen ends 2011 on a high note

Dainippon Screen has ended a busy 2011 with the signing of two important orders for delivery in early 2012, the 1st Australian Truepress Jet 520 digital press and  PlateRite 8900.

Australia’s first Truepress Jet 520 under the Screen brand (there are 3 installed under the Ricoh Infoprint brand at Computershare’s Sydney and Melbourne sites), has been ordered by a yet-to-be revealed Queensland company.

Screen’s Northern Region Manager, Peter Scott (pictured) says: “Worldwide, Screen has now shipped in excess of 380 Truepress Jet 520 models, making it by far the most successful high volume digital press. We are delighted that the first one in Australia, adding to an installation in New Zealand, will be coming in early in 2012.”

The machine is a 128 metres per minute ‘Z’ model with Hunkeler unwind and sheet finishing equipment. The front end is a combination of Screen Equios workflow and GMC’s Printnet T variable data seats. Production will commence in early February 2012 following installation and training.

CTP DEMAND UP ALSO
The other order just in at Screen is for one of the new PlateRite 8900-series CTP setters, again the first ordered for Australia. The PlateRite 8900 is available in three speed configurations up to 68 B1 plates-per-hour. Sydney printer Mega Colour has chosen the 33 plates-per hour PT-R HD 8900E model with autoloader.

Already a Screen CTP customer with the smaller format PlateRite 6600 SAL, Mega Colour is upsizing its press to a Heidelberg CD 102-6 and therefore needs to make bigger plates. In a deal that involved distributor Ferag, plates will be the Chinese-manufactured Xingraphics thermal grade.

“Installation is planned for March/April 2012, to coincide with the arrival of the new press,” says Scott. “We are delighted that Mega Colour has stuck with Screen for its CTP and look forward to many more years of service.”

Pictured: Screen Truepress Jet 520


Mega Colour’s managing director Michael Fang says “Our decision to buy the PlateRite 8900 system (pictured below) was based on our assessment of its technical superiority and performance. We also recognised our years of past experience of support by Screen where they have met our requirements for consistent and reliable high quality plate output. Their technical support and fast response enabled us to cope with a substantial increase in volume over the past years.”


“We see that this CTP system will support our plans for increased productivity through the new press and ancillary equipment installation program,” says Fang.

In conclusion, Scott notes that 2012 looks like being a bumper year for Screen Australia; “There’s no denying it has been tough for the past 2-3 years, and investment in capital equipment has been delayed. But we are now looking at good opportunities for 2012, right across the range of our products. Drupa and new releases from Screen should also stimulate the market.”