TEMPE, Ariz. — Company officials from Ben Franklin Press Inc. announced the purchase of the printer's first Mitsubishi Diamond Series sheetfed press. The four-color, 40-inch Diamond 3000R is now in full production. The Diamond 3000R is a convertible perfector that prints 13,000 sheets per hour in the straight printing mode and 11,000 sheets per hour in the perfecting mode. It provides the 48-year-old, family-owned printing company with an extensive list of automation technology to make short work of two-sided jobs. Ben Franklin Press was looking for a machine to complement its five-color and six-color presses. Ron Clark, president, cited the production-enhancing features on the Diamond 3000R in explaining the firm's decision to buy the press. "We especially liked the idea of having an infeed system, dampening features and the automation ability to prefect and run straight," he said. "This system is a better value overall." Harold Clark, vice president, added that the new Mitsubishi press has decreased production time at Ben Franklin Press, which specializes in printing for the sports publication industry. "The jobs that were passing through the press twice will only need to pass through once now that we have the new press," he said. Mitsubishi's Diamond Series sheetfed presses are available in 28-inch through 56-inch formats in configurations up to 12 colors. Fast job makeready, ease of operation and high throughput characterize the entire line of Diamond Series presses. Mitsubishi is at the forefront of the implementation of the Job Definition Format specification, permitting the Diamond Series presses to achieve zero makeready, decreased waste, accelerated job changeover, added value and increased competitiveness. Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (MLP U.S.A. Inc.) markets multicolor sheetfed and web lithographic presses manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MLP U.S.A. provides complete sales, parts and service for the entire line of Mitsubishi presses. For more information, contact MLP U.S.A. at (847) 634-9100. Information also can be obtained by visiting the company's website at www.mlpusa.com.