To HEIDELBERG or to SAKURAI, that is the question.

Hi, great forum!
Can some one give me a light on this? The thing is as following: I´ve been a graphic designer for five years now, and I have a LOT of work guaranteed for 2010. So I finally decided to acquire a two colors offset press.

My options are: A Heidelberg MO (1987) or a Sakurai 258 EPII (1995)

What is the best option here? I´m not asking about the price (almost the same price both machines) I will do all kind of work, from flyers to folders.
What do you recommend?
There are almost ten years between the tho machines, still Heidelberg the best being the oldest?

They also offered me the posibility of get a KOMORI L 226 (1991).

Sorry if this is off-topic, my first post here.

I hope someone can help me on this decision.

Greetings!

 

Hi,

The MO is sometimes not the best machine for thicker stock so you may have some issues printing folders with a heavy ink coverage.

Regards.

 

All 3 of those presses have issues with thick stock. Main reason being the number and diameter of cylinders (transfer and impression).

Given the limitation of 2 colour, I'd hunt down a Komori Lithrone 226/228 if your budget will run to it.

Reasons:

Lithrone build quality is much higher than Sprint. Bearer contact means better solids.

Komorimatic dampening is way better than conventional and somes as standard.

Double diameter transfer/impression cylinders mean less curvature of the sheet and less gripper transfers mean less chance of interunit doubling.

Rotational speed (and therefore wear and tear) of transfer/impression cylinders is 50% relative to press speed. Triple race taper bearings for the cylinders are of way better spec than the needle bearings in a Heidelberg.

Double cast unit frame construction means much more stability than single units bolted together. (designed to cope with Japan's constant earth tremors)

You also get high pile delivery as well as a more robust feeder.

Hope that helps...oh, and welcome to the forum

 

When i ran an MO a few yrs ago it was a shower of sh/te never run a Komori or Sakurai but given the choices ide go for the komori

 

I've worked on 2 MO presses and never hed any bother although I would go with the idea of the Lithrone as already stated the larger diameter cylinders have many advantages. Never worked Sakuri.

 

Id give the Komori my blessing too. Best option for your needs

 

Thankyou very much. This was very helpful.