Manroland web systems showed a wide range of solutions, systems and innovations for its traditional high volume web offset segment and as a growing supplier of in-line folding and finishing systems to high volume digital printers. Many of the automation developments at the show were aimed at improving the efficiency of its existing systems in some of the larger newspaper printing plants around the world. These included its improved human interface on its control consoles and the development of a portable wireless controller using an iPad that can be carried around the presses and to various levels of the superstructure.
Other improvements and add-ons for existing users included a more viable blanket cleaning system and a print quality monitoring system. The approach to spare parts supply has also been made similar to a web consumer application that recognizes the users equipment and helps to create an expert engineering environment with the buyer’s history and other details.
A number of customers at the fair opted for the 24-hour-B2B-virtual store, “Fast, flexible and convenient parts supply: that’s a real benefit for our customers,” said Alexander Wassermann, managing director of manroland web systems. The entire engineering and service thrust of the company was recognizable at drupa and several service contracts were signed at the show, including the refurbishment of a third-party machine in India.
In newspaper printing, the new Geoman e:line was introduced to the market and several upgrade sales were made. Customers, from all around the world, chose to make retrofits and refurbishments, and also purchased used machines.
A Kodak Prosper 6000S digital printing workflow unit with Manroland’s FoldLine variable in-line finishing system was demonstrated running throughout the show. The FoldLine variable in-line system has made significant inroads in the high volume digital printing arena in the past two years in conjunction with HP and Kodak inkjet printing systems.
A Foldline in-line finishing system was sold to a customer in Guam at the show while several projects were initiated at drupa. In the commercial printing sector, two more 96-page systems of the Lithoman series and two 16-page Rotoman systems were sold.
