Komori SPICA Presses

This thread is for general discussion of Komori SPICA Offset Presses.

Please post:

• interesting information sources on Komori SPICA presses
• photos that you would be willing to share of Komori SPICA presses
• videos or animations of Komori SPICA presses
• overviews or specific parts photos
• diagrams, or any other useful or interesting information that you can share.
• general information, tips & tricks, resources
• your experience operating a Komori SPICA press

(For specific questions, please start a new thread with a separate detailed title and description.)

 

At my shop we have a 2004 komori spica 429p. It some point I'll post some photos and videos. We also have a 1995 komori lithrone 628+C.

 

we are thinking at the spica do you like it? What kind of problems have you had with it. We run a manroland 202 . we need something to get process done alot faster. we also need the automation to.We already run ctp agfa thermal plates. thanks squid

 

The press works very well for us, the only downside which isn't surprising with single diameter impressions are the transfers between the units(marking on cover stock) and tail edge curl pulling solids near the tail. the feeder is great setup just like the Lithrones, ink train and dampener is also good. the plate changing is quick and requires no pin wrenches and is fool proof. the convertible perfector is fully automated and just requires the digital entry of the sheet size(no tools! and quick). We do perfect 2/2 on coated text and had only a little problems with marking on the downside.

 

Great info thanks

 

Do you have a dryer on the spica? If not do you think a dryer can be put on?We are in alaska and a dryer makes things alot better. Is the remote control registration just lateral and circumferenital or can you do a skew adjustment to?

 

We don't have a dryer on our press, Pierry IR does make one that fits the press. I believe they take out some fans/blowdowns to fit it in. We use a 1 step fount that has dryer in it and it works ok. It does have a skew adjustment, called cocking. the operator side of the plate cylinder pivots .15mm +/- in straight and only .10mm +/- in perfect.

 

Yes pierry does make a dryer for the Spica.It only comes in medium wave. My company is looking at the new Spica 529 perfector.We are test printing it Fri.
Can anyone give me any advice?

 

Komori SPICA IR Dryer

Pierry Manufacturing, Inc. does in fact make an IR dryer for the SPICA. We remove the plastic delivery fans closest to the last unit and replace with metal blade fans. The IR dryer goes under these fans. We also modify the location of the Komori Air Bar inlet feed, to give the extra room to fit the IR dryer. The lamps are fast acting medium wave lamps with gold reflectors. I need to let you know that Komori does NOT recommend any IR dryer for the SPICA. We have been successful with our IR dryer installed on a number of SPICA presses. These were installed at printers that do major paint jobs and needed the heat. If you need further information, please call us and we will be glad to be of further assistance.

 

Hi what tipe of anti marking sheets do u use? i find the paper one to work beter even on thick stock. replace them often for best results

 

we have a brand new lithrone and a spica thats a couple of years old.
the difference in quality between the two are huge.
the spica is good for PMS work not full colour work.
i would get a 15 year old lithrone before buying a spica.

 

Can you give me a little more info about the bad things on the spica. we are a small shop but do a lot of short run process work. and it has to look good.

 

well the spica is very limited. we use it for full colour stuff but the quality is down, mainly the fit. cant get the position nice and sharpe all over.

cant print anything over say 200 gsm because it marks. it mark the front and marks the back of the sheet.

the delivery set up is terrible, to run it at 1200 or 1300 sheets per hour the gripper release has to be all the way back otherwise itll just crash. only like 3 fans.

just last week one of the transfer grippers fell off. thats happened twice in 3 years.
things break on it alot.

say a normal full colour job. no big solids or anything would take the lithrone 10 mins before you start running, the spica would take 30 mins.

its just been a bit of a dissapointment.
not recommended.

good for PMS work and perfecting thou.

saying this i do run a new lithrone so thats what im comparing it to.
cheers

 

I am planning to buy a Komori Spica 529P (used one - 2007). Can any one give me negative as well as positive reviews about this machine. What is the difference between Lithrone and Spica ?

 

hi its n great press its komori s little angel 2 cons that you should. Half size ip cil and plastic gears on the damper form rollers pro verrrrrry quick makeready this is really a nice press

 

I beg to differ the delivery is great, am sure your settings aint right. We have this machine and am shocked by what you saying. Check on your slowdown wheels if they are suction, maybe they are blowing resulting in crushing. We run this press at an average 9000ipressions per hour and delivery is perfect. The only thing i dont like on this machine is marking due to half size impression cylinders.

 

but hes tryin to run at 12 or 13K

 

Rolandman this guy said 1200(thousand two hundred) or 1300(thousand three hundred) check that on his post.