Operating speed of a sm52-2 on process work

[Chrisjan van Aardt]

I owned a KORD we had bounce on our sheets once we go over 3500sph what is the recommended speed for the sm52-2 when doing 4 colour registration (full colour) work.
Also more or less what time does it take to do a colour change and setup registration and colour balance?

 

[alibryan]

The answers will be different depending on personal routines and thoroughness, especially with these older presses. Questions about time to wash-up/set-up and top running speeds also depend just as much on the operator’s experience and skill set as they do on the condition of the machine. But with a well maintained press if I had to give an estimate for both the K-line and GTOs, when set-up correctly I’d say that depending on the substrate the top running speed while holding registration would be about ¾ speed, more or less.

 

[Chrisjan van Aardt]

And on stream feed machine like the SM52 and just a rough estimate would be fine, Im looking at buying a SM52-2 but are not sure what the recommended speed is for fine registration (most of my work is cmyk) Ive seen guys running at 10k sph but my question is will you , at that speed get bounce or mis-registration on the job, I have no experience on SM or stream feed

 

[alibryan]

This may not be the answer you’re looking for but possible top running speeds will vary and while both single sheet feeders and stream feeders can do pretty well, it all depends on setting them up correctly (this can include even all the way back to the pile itself), and the substrate that’s being printed. Beyond trying to maintain perfect sheet registration during the run, you may also be dealing with possible sheet flare and a lot of times you won’t even know about that until the run is finished and it’s time for the next pass. Which at that point also means that it will be too late to do anything about it.

While a 2-color press will usually do tight registration work (to a certain degree), in my opinion a 4-color press will always do it better.

 

[Chrisjan van Aardt]

Hi thanks for your reply, I understand 4 col is the best way to go (but budget) what makes me lean to the sm52-2 is the automation I have done process work on 1 colour machine (old machine) I can either get sm52-2 or gtozp 2 col but setup will take long on gto, Do you know more or less setup time on sm52 in willing to run slower if it improves registrsion

 

[Chrisjan van Aardt]

Overall would you rate a sm vs gto

 

[NotAGooner]

I have done of thousands of 4 col work on a 2 colour press mainly a Heidelberg MOZ/P if you scribe register marks on both sides of the sheet to check for bounce and a side guide mark, you can adjust your speed accordingly but make sure all marks are outside of the work and trim off.

If your choice is between a GTO and an SM press I would go for the SM every time but that's if your budget allows. Good luck.

 

[turbotom1052]

This may not be the answer you’re looking for but possible top running speeds will vary and while both single sheet feeders and stream feeders can do pretty well, it all depends on setting them up correctly (this can include even all the way back to the pile itself), and the substrate that’s being printed. Beyond trying to maintain perfect sheet registration during the run, you may also be dealing with possible sheet flare and a lot of times you won’t even know about that until the run is finished and it’s time for the next pass. Which at that point also means that it will be too late to do anything about it.

While a 2-color press will usually do tight registration work (to a certain degree), in my opinion a 4-color press will always do it better.

You can minimize the 2nd pass surprises that Alibryan talks about by running a small lift of printed sheets through while still wet for a second hit. You will of course want to be sure that the sheets get up to running speed when going through a second time. After immediately sending sheets though for a second pass you just want to closely examine register marks all over the sheet to see if the sheet is "fanning out" I purposely said minimize because you truly will not know what your going to really wind up with until you actually lay down the 2nd pass colors. With that said it would be advisable that you lay down your second pass colors as quickly as possible. Having them sit around uncompleted for a few days, or even overnight, will increase the risks of poor fit between colors.

 

[mantman]

Or see if you can buy a 4col GTO

 

[Chrisjan van Aardt]

I really am leaning to automation.

What should I look for in second hand press?

At what impression count is serious maintenance needed?

Thanks all of you really for all the great info. You answered a lot of my questions

 

[Chrisjan van Aardt]

What speed can you run and achieve fine registration?

Also what is the make ready, more or less

 

[mantman]

We serious have of problem communication

 

[turbotom1052]

What speed can you run and achieve fine registration?

Also what is the make ready, more or less

Based on your question regarding makeready I fear that you're in a bit over your head. It is my opinion that you're wanting to swim in the deep part of the pond, and your inexperience will quickly have you in over your head. Printing 4/c process does require some skills even on a 4/c press. To do it in multiple passes would not be a good way to learn presswork.