ABDick 4995A-ICS Four-Tower Offset Press
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This versatile press was developed in response to our market’s demand for a portrait-format, four-color performance offset – one that’s suitable for short and long runs, easily handles economical polyester-based plates, as well as metal, and runs a wide variety of stocks via a vacuum-enabled stream feeder.
All types of full color projects can be delivered – easily and cost-effectively.
Numerous features and automated functions simplify operation, reduce make-ready time and enhance productivity while producing the high-quality prints your customers will appreciate. Digital compatibility assures its place in electronically enhanced workflows.
Stream Feeding Increases Usability and Accuracy
The stream feeding system on the ABDick 4995A-ICS press is beneficial to productivity, registration accuracy and ease of use. A feature usually found on larger presses, the stream feeder is built for delivering superior quality color work; and when a higher volume of prints is called for, it efficiently handles the job. Stream feeding sets up easily, allows a larger variety of stocks to be run and has a higher pile capacity of 29" (737 mm).
A vacuum conveyor and vacuum pull guides ensure consistent paper feeding and better sheet control with less marking. A sheet is simultaneously held down by a vacuum and pulled by the guide for positive alignment. Register is accurate even on lighter stocks at high speeds.
Automatic sheet positioning and head stops ensure proper sheet position for guide adjustments and quick setup.The pre-piling feature enhances productivity by allowing paper to be preloaded while the machine continues to run. It’s ready to go again when the last sheet of the first stack is fed.
Multiple sensors on the mechanical doubles detection system monitor paper travel. If a paper jam or double sheet is detected, the press shuts down automatically and the operator can view the source of paper trouble on an LCD. Also, sheets on the conveyor are automatically stopped from advancing by jam plungers.
Fast, Reliable Make Ready
The 4995A-ICS includes a high quality hand-operated register plate punch as standard equipment. For those who wish to upgrade, two models are available: the high-precision optical register punch or the video plate punch. Both of these options are designed to further increase accuracy to reduce the time required for make ready.
Semi-automatic plate insertion significantly improves plate handling and simplifies operation. Automating this function ensures greater accuracy and lessens operator intervention and results in reducing the time associated with making registration adjustments on press. Plate mounting is performed by simply inserting a plate into the plate clamps and pushing a button. Polyester or metal printing plates are loaded into proper position and tensioned by a pneumatic system.
Pre-tensioned, straight-edge plate clamps with positioning pins secure the plate reliably and precisely. Springs in the clamp system allow optimal tension for type of plate material being used which helps prevent plate stretch. If necessary, slight diagonal image adjustments can be performed by simply turning a knob on the plate clamp. In addition, plates can be removed quickly and easily – with no tools.
Handy Control Panels, Push Buttons Simplify Operation
Ease of use and operator comfort are assured with lever-free operation.
Push-button controls are concentrated at the delivery side which minimizes operator movement to allow more time for focusing on print quality. An additional control panel at the feeder furthers convenience and productivity.
Printing unit selection, press speed, and dampening solution supply volume can all be set via the control panel.
Inking functions and switching the water form roller on and off are also done simply by pushing buttons.After make ready, printing begins by simply pushing the production button from either control panel which activates pumps, paper feed and the gradual acceleration to the desired press speed.
A handy paper size change button reduces setup time and paper waste when changing stock sizes. One touch feeds a single sheet which automatically stops at the feeder and delivery sections to allowquick, easy resetting of the paper guides.
Easy Adjustments Ensure Excellent Registration
The micro dial-type image adjustment device provides precise vertical (±20 mm, ±.79") and lateral (±2 mm, ±.079") control of the print image position which significantly reduces the time and effort required for registration.
Lateral adjustments can be made on-the-fly for increased productivity.
A unique sheet skewing device further enhances register accuracy. Diagonal micro-adjustments (up to ±0.5 mm) can be made quickly without having to stop the press.
Satellite V-Shaped 5-Cylinder System Provides
Stable and Reliable Multi-Color Printing
A simple mechanism links two sets of 2-color printing units – each a satellite V-shaped 5-cylinder system – via two impression cylinders and a transfer drum.
Sheet register is controlled by double sprung grippers on the paper feed drum, impression cylinders and transfer drum which firmly grip the paper. Even during high-speed and heavy solid printing, precise registration accuracy is maintained.
Separate blanket cylinders prevent ink migration for consistent color throughout the print run.
Quick-release aluminum blanket holders allow press blankets to be changed in much less time than conventional punched blankets. Once printing has been completed, automatic blanket cleaning can be performed on all four printing units simultaneously for easy maintenance.
Continuous Motorized Film Dampening System
The flexible continuous motorized film dampening system enables precise regulation of dampening solution supply volume to match paper stock, ink, plate materials and environmental conditions for excellent printed results. The 6-roller configuration, including a motor-driven fountain roller and two modes of pre-wet cycles, supplies an optimal water film to match the plate material (metal or polyester), delivering stable quality from the start of printing.
A pre-wet button lets the operator apply quick bursts of additional moisture to the plate surface on demand. This is helpful during start up when running polyester plates and for cleaning up plates quickly. Moisture level sensors monitor dampening solution, and when necessary, automatically shut off the dampener motor and paper feed and lights an indicator. Moisture rollers can be run at a slow speed for setting metering roller squeeze and unit maintenance.
A chiller/recirculator unit delivers full performance from the continuous dampening system and makes it particularly suited for polyester plates. Cooling slows evaporation of solution from rollers for simpler operation and better printed results.
Water rollers can be simultaneously cleaned with the ink rollers via the bridge rollers to simplify clean-up.
Ink System Delivers Exceptional Printed Results With Less Effort
A 16-roller inking system, including three ink form rollers of differing diameters, provides superior screen quality as well as the ability to print large, dense solids. The Ink Control System (ICS) lets the operator ‘dial-in’ the ink feed rate for precise image coverage needed.
This system features ink ductor roller shut off. In automatic mode, the ink ductor roller operates only while printing. When the ‘on’ button is depressed, it operates continuously. The drop-down ink fountain and ink roller cleanup device allow fast, easy cleaning. Ink form rollers can be released if the press is idle to increase roller life and prevent flat spots on roller surfaces.
Ink Control System (ICS)
The integrated Ink Control System (ICS) allows remote control over ink fountain keys from a stand-alone console. Computer controlled inking simplifies make-ready operations and ensures more consistent ink balance and color tones throughout the run. Once optimal ink values for a particular job are obtained, those settings can be stored on a 3-1/2" disk for easy retrieval and setup for future reprints.
Ink Volume Setter (IVS) Software
For greater workflow efficiency from pre-press to press, optional Ink Volume Setter (IVS) software provides a digital link between the job on a desktop computer, a PostScript RIP and the ICS console. Image area ratio data taken from a document is converted into opening volumes of ink fountains keys.
After a document is RIPped, the IVS software reads the light and dark areas (pixels) in the image for each color separation then translates the values (via floppy disk) to the ICS console for pre-setting of ink fountain keys to the amount of coverage needed for that specific job. This digital, pre-press data facilitates faster, more accurate set up and less paper waste by reducing the time and guesswork involved in setting opening volumes of ink.
Chain Delivery
The chain delivery has auto-lowering, roll-away paper tables and a capacity of 17.3" (440 mm). When the table limit is reached, paper feed shuts off automatically so the stack does not overload. A vacuum sheet brake and decurling device stabilize paper delivery even during high-speed printing.
A powder spray attachment comes standard and separates printed sheets to keep them from off-setting. Fine adjustments to the duration and area of the powder applied to the sheet are done at a control panel.
The air knife feature applies an automatic, timed burst of air to each sheet of paper, eliminating paper curl. This is especially effective when printing on lighter weight paper stocks.