Is Heidelberg new models Electronics good

I am planning to purchase either heidelberg or Komori 2 or 4 color Alcohol press.

In my country most of them are using Heidelberg machine and significant people uses Komori.

Most of the heidelberg users in my country has the issues with different electronic boards failures at different time but with Komori those issues are less.

So can anyone let me know whether Heidelberg has improved their boards or whether still frequent electronic boards failures occur.

Also running cost wise komori is better than Heidelberg as it consume less electricity, also promotes alcohol free and also has much operator easy features comparing with heidelberg I guess also investmentwise also saving.

Correct me if I am wrong.

 

bmw or lexus, your call, if you got good bmw technicians fixing your bmw, go with it, otherwise stay with a lexus, my inputs on heidelberg and komori

 

I find it depends on your electricity supply if you are prone to power cuts then it doesn't matter what press you have, it can blow the boards of any machine, that is why they have particular shut down procedures.
As realaqu says I would go with who ever can supply you with best customer service, no point in buying a fancy new machine if it is shut down for weeks on end because you cant get spares or an engineer, also you need to consider resale prices you will get good return on a Heidelberg as long it is looked after, I wouldn't want to buy a Komroi more than three years old.
As far ergonomics is concerned Heidelberg is a more user friendly press, and is more robust.
Komori offer more in the way of alcohol free/waterless but you need to be on top of everything to make those things work.

 

I have worked on three generations of Komori presses. I would hardly compare it to a luxury/high maintenance piece of equipment like Heidelberg. It's more like a Ford/Chevy. For me, they were simple, easy to operate, without all the non-sense and clutter involved with other high-tech equipment. The last few years they have been updating their technology and they aren't a whole lot different. I am a fan of Komori presses and the simplicity they offer. They are not change over monsters though. They are built for long runs and minimum amount of set ups and change overs.

Heidelberg runs ALC free with 3 step, self-dosing process. Also, Heidelberg doesn't entirely compete with Komori. Their main competitor is KBA. I work on 2 brand new XL106 machines. Their technology is impressive, cutting edge, and leaves plenty of user friendly options to tailor to pressman needs. You flat out get some serious work done with its push to stop features, intellistart, prinect functions. When it runs, I don't feel there is anything in the world that can compete with it. Main point there, is when it runs. We essentially have Heidelberg techs onsite every other week it seems to fix ongoing issues.

So many electronics on printing presses helps efficiency, but when factoring in downtime associated with those electronics? I really don't know what's best. All depends on the work volume you are putting out. Tons of small jobs and color change overs? Even long runs and you want press speed up to 15-18000 iph? Heidelberg hits all factors of the printing world and the appeal is wow-ing. A Heidelberg make statements. Want something cheaper, technology that is behind the leading competitors (could say years behind), but still offers simplicity that they are know for and a machine that will run day in and day out? Go with Komori.

 

That’s interesting that you say that. I used to run nothing but Heidelbergs but I have to admit I’ve not run the newer ones (past, say, 2005). However, I have seen and operated some of the newer Komoris. I have to disagree with your opinion on their slow changeover and setup speed, as Komoris are not only extremely quick, but they’re also fairly simple and straightforward. This translates directly into printing efficiency and in today’s environment, that’s also a key to profit. Currently, Komori is making strides into the newer digital/offset technology that no other manufacturer is (at least none that I’m aware of) and some of this technology is already in production. If it’s true and no one else is doing it - it’s leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

They’re not completely without their problems but as long as they’re maintained, Komoris continue to exhibit both high production and very low breakdown and repair problems. The same thing they’ve always been known for.

I used to believe that Heidelbergs were the best presses made, and I’m sure that they must still have their advantages today. But ever since I operated my first Komori, my opinion about them being the best changed drastically.

 

You almost essentially said the same things I did, but still disagreed with me. Except you are wrong when it comes to Komori and their leaps and bounds. Heidelberg is very much into the digital print production, offset, die cutting, finishing, folder gluers. I think that list goes on as well.

I have been on a Komori from the 1990’s, 2000’s, 2010. I have said I liked them. They have a simple design, easy to operate, and are a day in and day out press. I essentially said all of that in my last post. One thing they are definitely not, is a change over press.

These Heidelberg’s now? If you haven’t seen how one works since 2015, I encourage you to watch some demonstrations. There is no way a Komori can do a change over in the time it does for a Heidelberg. That is one thing that these Heidelberg’s can do, that I won’t complain about, is change from one job to next in 3-15 minutes maximum based off color changes. If you want to talk about efficiency, I will back Heidelberg 100%. Reliability? I pretty much said I would take a Komori every day of the week there.