Manroland Sheetfed’s first time exhibit of Roland 700 Evolution

German press manufacturing giant, Manroland Sheetfed showed its 12-unit Roland 700 Evolution press at Drupa. It’s the Roland 700 Evolution’s first outing at any exhibition since it was introduced two years ago.

14 Jun 2016 | By Noel D'Cunha

Outlining Manroland Sheetfed’s philosophy, progress and strategic outlook, as well as the technological highlights of the press at a pre-event, Rafael Peneula, the CEO said, “The double-digit increase in order intake and a healthy order backlog going into 2016, shows company’s way of doing business compared to the past, has been positive. A solid position has enabled Manroland Sheetfed to invest heavily in intensive research and development.”

The 12-unit Roland 700 Evolution on the show is built for a print company specialising in pharma folding carton, includes eight colours, double coating and an inline foiler. It has a brand new console, the PressPilot, an intuitive, smartphone-like touch operation and multiview infoscreen with personalised and transparent information, claimed Penuela. There is the new simultaneous plate changing system and the infrared/hot air dryer, which Peneula claimed, can save up to minutes per job change and consumes 30% less hot air volume.

The perfecting press can run at a straight printing speed of 18,000sph and perfecting speed of up to 16,000sph, and is available in sheet size of 740x1,040mm with an optional sheet size of 750x1050mm. Each 700 Evolution press is offered with 24-month ProServ 360, Manroland Sheetfed’s service and maintenance programme, which continuously monitors and reports on the machine’s productivity.

The press also offers LED UV curing and Roland’s InlineFoiler options. The InlineFoiler is used for cold foil application, and has around 130 installation worldwide.

The press, depending on the configuration, will cost anywhere in the 3-3.5-million Euros.

“In short the press has everything inline,” said Peneula. There are about 200 units of the 700 Evolution installations so far. Products like the Roland 700 Evolution helps in delivering greater production stability and reduced cost of ownership.”

Manroland Sheetfed will take the success of the 700 Evolution to its other presses, for example, the simultaneous plate loading system will not be available on the Roland 900 series.

Speaking on the sidelines to PrintWeek India, Peneula, acknowledged his company’s lack of business, and linked the time-slot of the last year and a half to a soccer game, where it lost. “It took us more time than we thought to establish our own organisation in India. But things have settled, and with this Drupa, where we hope to sign an order, we hope to buck the trend.”