stream feed press

Registration is important -- how much extra would you pay for a stream fed press? Can someone explain stream feeding vs. push/pull when it comes to accurate registration?

 

Yes, stream feed generally allows you to run with accurate registration at higher press speeds than without - that's the idea. Which press(es) are you considering specifically?

 

Looking at AB Dick Century 3500S vs 3500, (maybe 3000) Ryobi 3302

 

Better go for a speedmaster. I also heard shinohara are great too. Ryobi is a middle quality to my opinion. I would get ABDick ever if they gave it for free. In general registration has nothing to do with the feeder (unless of course, the machine is not built well)

 

Stream feed v push or pull feeding, there is little difference when the press is young and the stock is good.

The main advantage as I see it, is the stream feed is forgiving when it comes to quality of stock it can run. If the sheet is curly then as long as you can feed the first 5 to 10 sheets the rest will just follow on without a problem. I have MO's here; the 4 colour is stream feed, the 1 & 2 colour have grippers and feed tables and the 4 colour can run stock the 2 colour has trouble with.

 

I agree. this is because the sheets cover each other half their length. I also want to add, envelopes are running faster with stream feed, especially the ones that open on the side.

 

It also is easier to see how straight and accurate the sheets are going into the press. I've run a Harris L438A four colour with No guides to feed the sheets into the press and that's the only way that I could tell how the sheets were feeding up to the pull guide

 

I'm sorry, I meant I would not buy ABDick press as their quality doesn't meet my standarts.

 

Stream feeding is designed to meet the need for speed. So your criteria should be determined by your production needs. Myself, I operate the whole printshop on my own so I need speed and since I have no personnel, I could invest some more money on a more expensive streaf fed press. Don't stick with technical, think half as a technician half as bussiness man.

 

Are you guys confusing stream feeding with sidelay action? Stream fed is as Socrates posted, the sheets are shingled, single sheet fed machines tend to have push sidelay, whereas streamfed tend to have pull sidelays (I'm prepared to be corrected).

But whether the sidelay is push or pull is academic to accuracy of registration.

If either system is set incorrectly then they'll both misregister.

 

Sidelays and frontlays, I haven't heard those terms in a long time

Was brought up and trained in the UK so I know what they mean, then I moved to the US where they use headstops and side guides, now back in the UK again and back to metric AGAIN aaaaaagh

Yes Richard is right, regarding the setup of either pull or push guides, if they're not set correctly it won't matter if your feeder is single sheet fed or stream

I have seen pull guides on single sheet feds, one of my first presses was a Standard Wharfedale Letterpress which had one. It ran at about 12,000spw

 

spw = sheets per week

Seriously welcome back to sunny blighty. I know what you mean re; terms of reference, spent a couple of years in Spain (helping establish Komori).

Taco, tacón, guía lateral, chibato all meant sidelay depending whereabouts in the country you were.

Polvo (antimaculante) = anti-setoff powder, except in Barcelona where it means a lady and gentleman involved in sexual congress

Also it's inadvisable to confuse cojinete (roller bearings) with either cojonudo or cojones! I'll leave non-Spanish speakers to Google those

 

One good thing about stream feeding is the sheet reaches the headstops at a much slower speed than single sheet feeding.

About AB Dicks: I have one. Don't particulary like the flimsy construction, the way the print head bounces around, etc. BUT, it is a money maker!!!!!!!!

 

stream feed is :
1-more flexible more control.
2-can run on higher speed.
3-accurate registration.
4-work with carton(0.6 mm).