SM74 5 col perfecting?

Discussion in 'Heidelberg Printing Presses' started by anthonywheeldon, Sep 4, 2012.

  1. anthonywheeldon

    anthonywheeldon Member

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    I would like some positive input on the following. currently looking at purchasing a SM74 5 col with inline coating. As I understand it perfects 2 over 3. How good are these machines at perfecting as from experience the pre 2000 SM74 was not up to the job. I would appreciate comment
     
  2. exheidmech

    exheidmech Senior Member

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    If you are looking for a huge difference between the pre and post 2000 SM74 your just not going to find it. Mechanically the machines are pretty much exactly the same. There may be a few minor mechanical differences but not many. Bigger differences you will find are electronic. As far as your statement about the SM74 not being up for the job of perfecting, that simply is not true either. The truth is that the SM74 has a pretty big tendancy to mark if not properly set up. In my experience the customers that have the biggest problem with marking are the ones that have pretty much the same perfecting work as they do straight printing work. In this case they usually do not take the time to properly set up the machine for mark free printing when perfecting. I think if you invest the time to properly set up the machine, you will be rewarded with mark free printing in perfecting. If you are still concerned about possible marking issues, than I would look at a CD74 perfector.
     
  3. anthonywheeldon

    anthonywheeldon Member

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    Hi exheidmech
    Thankyou for the very helpful reply would you consider 65 million impressions for a machine of this age high?
     
  4. anthonywheeldon

    anthonywheeldon Member

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    Sorry I didnt mention the age its an SM74 5col L. 2005
     
  5. Meny

    Meny Senior Member

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    agree & disagree :)

    I agree with the above opinion on marking - if you do what you need to do by the book , it will print both 2/3 and 5/0 well with very little marking
    if you do not do what you need to do and get marking...you know why.

    As for CD74 perfector - as far as i know - not invented yet (CD's have no perfector)
    you can allways pay more and by a new XL 75 with perfecting - and that's a good press , yet you still need to do what you need to do or...you get marking - no MAGIC SHORT CUTS IN PRINTING !

    Is 65 million too much for a 7 year old press ?
    No . it only shows it was a working press , not a weekend toy :)

    You can kill a press in 10 million and you can keep a press like new for 300 million...

    Check the press down to it;s condition , not the mask it has on or usless details.
    what kind of work are you looking at ?

    If it is board....SM with perfector is not the best for you - it's a paper machine...

    Good luck
    Meny
     
  6. anthonywheeldon

    anthonywheeldon Member

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    Thanks Meny
    I agree with the amount of impressions of course. We are many printing on various types of 350 gsm on average. Swing tickets for the apparel trade
     
  7. Meny

    Meny Senior Member

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    well my friend , that's the exact point...

    If your work is mainly 350 GSM board , I would go for a straight CD press or a Komori 528 , but not a perfecting SM

    The press will take the stock and print it , but you may have marking issues at the tail and all over the sheet

    Go for a bigger impression & transfer cylinder press - not a Speed Master.

    Good luck
     
  8. exheidmech

    exheidmech Senior Member

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    Agree and Disagree with Meny. Yes, the SM74 is more of a paper press than a board press. If you run alot of board then definitly condsider a CD74. 65 million is absolutely not alot of impressions. If the press was well maintained, you should be able to print some high quality product of this machine for a long time to come. Ive seen SM74 with well over 200 million.

    The CD74 and XL75 are virtually the same machine. The XL does print 10mm wider and does print at a 18kiph, but mechanically almost identical machines. The CD74 came out around 2001 and was available with perfector around 2004. In 2008, the CD74 was discontinued and it became the XL75. Both machines are available with perfectors. Ive even seen CD102 machines with perfector. Heidelberg only did a few of them and for special orders. An SM102 unit was used for the first printing unit and perfector, and then CD102 units were put in place from unit 2 and up.

    CD74 perfector in action
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqRFf_3pX-E
     
  9. anthonywheeldon

    anthonywheeldon Member

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    SM74 verses CD74

    We are currently looking at purchasing a newish 2004/2008 4 col with lx. Can you tell me what the price difference if any there is between the SM74 and the CD74.
    Most of our work is around the 300gsm mark and i know the CD is more suitable. The powers that be are concerned about costs so I need to back up what I am suggesting. Can any one help?
     

  10. Meny

    Meny Senior Member

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    CD coulkd cost as much as 80-100K Euro extra

    CD is good both for paper & board and is a more stable press
    If you have the budget - go for a CD

    You coulkd also take other good options that are available on the market apart from Heidelberg

    Good luck
     
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